FEBRUARY JLC 1997
To strengthen stud walls for increased loading or
to reduce deflection in tall walls, you can decrease
stud spacing, increase stud thickness, or use doubled
or tripled studs. With ordinary dimensional
lumber however, achieving a stiff stud wall that is
also perfectly flat is easier said than done, particularly
when longer studs are needed. Typical
workarounds include nailing together two studs
with crowns opposed, sistering steel channels to
individual studs, or, in extreme cases, fabricating
a steel moment frame.
New alternatives. A better answer may be
found in the latest crop of engineered wood
materials. If you're framing a tall wall, or a wall
with a lot of large openings in it