Above Grade Walls

2x6 framed walls with R-20 batt insulation

The majority of new homes in Manitoba use 2x6 wood studs at 16" on center with R-20 fiberglass insulation for their exterior wall system. This is the minimum insulation value required by the Manitoba Building Code and based on today's fuel costs, is the optimum choice for a home heated by natural gas in southern Manitoba. For homes heated with electricity and those located in the northern portion of the province, additional insulation requirements should be considered.

When deciding on the right type of exterior wall for your home it is important to consider that energy costs will likely rise over the life expectancy of the home and what is cost effective today may not look so attractive years from now. You have one opportunity for deciding the construction of the exterior walls of your new home. Make the most fully informed decision possible. A HOT2000 computer analysis will help you determine if this is the right wall construction for your new home.

To reduce the heat loss through conventional 2x6 exterior walls, assuming that proper air tightness measures have been incorporated, the following improvements should be considered:

• Increase the spacing of the 2x6 wall stud from 16" on center to 24" o/c
• Line up floor joists and roof trusses over studs to reduce the top wall plate from a double plate to single.
• Use high density R-22 fiberglass batt insulation rather than R-20
• Use drywall clips rather than an additional wood stud for drywall backing at all wall corners