When you are in the process of reviewing floor plans at a reputable online house plan website, there is more to consider than simply the number of bedrooms/bathrooms, the living space square footage, the floor plan layout, and the Architectural style. You should also consider the construction methods to be used by your builder, and in particular, if the house plan wall construction type is optimal for the climate in your local region, and your needs.



Choosing a house plan and building with an appropriate wall type can save you many thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs over the years, will make your home more comfortable to live in, and may help to protect your home if an extreme natural event such as a hurricane or tornado should affect your local region. Selecting a house plan with a wall type suitable for your area is critical.

The easiest, quickest, and likely the most versatile house plan wall construction method is the 2x4 stud wall. The 2x4 wall construction method is, usually, the most inexpensive, offers sufficient strength for most areas, and is normally suitable for most regions in the U.S.

However, in certain parts of the United States, a 2x4 wall may not allow enough space for insulation, and as such, a 2x6 wall may be used. In the 2x6 wall construction, the additional 2 inches of wall cavity space can be filled with additional insulation which can add an additional level of interior comfort for the homeowner. Also it should be noted that, although a 2x6 house wall construction will be more expensive initially, the additional insulation and space can save your family a significant amount in future heating and cooling costs.

One additional house plan wall construction type is ICF or Insulated Concrete Forms. In certain areas of the United States, it may be common to build with the ICF walls, which offer some of the highest levels of insulation and significant strength and durability. In addition, the ICF wall construction may be preferable in certain areas of the country prone to extreme weather, temperatures, and high winds. Also, this type of

house plan wall construction is usually more expensive than either 2x4 wall or 2x6 wall construction, but may provide you with the features that you need in your area of the country.

Most high-quality house plans that you find on the internet, will have one or more house plan wall construction methods included in the plan package. If your desired wall type is not included in the standard plan package, you can usually have the designer provide you with a reasonable quote to modify the design to other wall types.

One of the best places to locate best-selling house plans on the Internet is at http://www.HousePlanGallery.com