The Benefits of Building with 2×6″ Exterior Walls

Have you ever thought about what’s in the walls of your home? Wait, wait, wait, come back! We’re not talking creepy crawlies! We’re talking construction! Sorry to scare you. We just wanted to take a moment to talk about the benefits of building with 2×6” exterior walls. Not to brag, but we’ve been doing it for years – and for good reasons! Actually, make that “four” good reasons.

1. It’s Not Easy Being Green

Or so says one pretty nifty frog. Here at GCD, we’re more concerned with what’s right than what’s easy, so we’ve been building energy efficient homes before it was cool. Two key factors that have a big impact on power bills are insulation and airflow. 2×6” walls create deeper wall cavities, meaning you can add more insulation than with 2×4” walls. All that insulation doesn’t mean anything, though, if the cool/hot air is flying right out the window – literally. Restricting the airflow between the inside and outside of a home (or making the house “tight”) is key. Most air is lost through windows, so have additional insulation around windows – something easily achieved in the deeper windows caused by 2×6 construction – will help reduce those losses. Some people also suggest 2×6 studs conduct less heat than 2x4s because there are fewer of them along the same length of wall and they are thicker from front to back. Every little bit counts when it comes to shrinking that monthly energy bill.

2. All the Noise, Noise, Noise

Man, we’re really on a furry green character kick with the titles, aren’t we? But seriously, that added insulation also helps with sound control. This is especially important in multi-family housing, like our Park’s Edge and Rustler communities. Even the quietest of neighbors might decide to redecorate during the season finale of your favorite show or bring home a howling puppy while you’re crashed on the couch with a migraine. While no insulation can work miracles (if Mr. Universe upstairs knocks over his gym-grade free weight pedestal, you’re probably going to hear something) the extra insulation 2×6” exterior walls allow can wipe out your typical noise pollution. What was that? You live in an apartment, but you don’t think you’re noisy enough to need extra insulation? Well, knock on the wall and ask your neighbor. We’ll wait.

3. An Extra Pinch of Charm

We hear what you’re saying – 2x6s are on the inside, so how can it affect the look of a house? From the inside out! Those deeper walls we were talking about let the builder add deep window wells and doorways. It adds a bit of character to newer homes, harkening to the charm of older homes. It’s instantly visible and eliminates the utilitarian feel of some newer homes. Just imagine yourself setting a homemade apple pie, straight out of the oven, on your beautiful, deep set window sill. That’s possible in a home built with 2×6 walls. Well, maybe a store-bought apple pie, straight out of the oven. That seems a little more possible, if we’re being honest with ourselves.

4. Pay It Forward

When the time comes to sell your home, 2×6” exterior walls are a great selling point. The big drawback to building with 2x6s instead of 2x4s is the additional cost – more wood, more money. The great part is when they’ve already been paid for, buyers are attracted to the knowledge they’ll get all the benefits of 2×6 construction (as in, all of the above) without having to foot the bill upfront. It’ll help your home sell faster so you can move on to your next housing adventure.

When it comes time to build your home, don’t stuff your wallet today at the expense of your bottom line tomorrow. 2×6 construction is more expensive up front, but it can quickly make up the difference in energy costs, and long-term, help you get more for your home when it’s eventually time to sell. The choice is yours, so invest wisely. Or build your home with GCD – we always build with 2×6 walls, so you reap the benefits immediately!