Building from the Ground Up: A Look at Framing and Moment Frames in Louisville

Hey everyone, it’s Sean with Structure Custom Builds! Today, I’m on-site in Louisville, Colorado, checking in on the progress of our latest project, where framing is officially underway. Our team kicked things off last week, starting with the walkout walls. Right now, the crew is focusing on installing the subfloor for the first floor.

One of the most exciting updates on this build is the installation of two massive steel structures known as moment frames.
These frames were specifically called out by our structural engineer to solve a common modern design challenge. In this home, we are planning for expansive, beautiful views with lots of massive windows and large slider doors. Because of the sheer volume of glass in these locations, there simply isn’t enough room to frame up traditional wood walls to support the weight of the house. That is where the engineering of a steel moment frame comes in. Design choices like expansive glazing are one example of how custom home design can influence the structural requirements of a project.

How the Two-Level Structure Works

The steel moment frames on this project span two levels:

• The Middle Support: The middle section of the steel structure is where the subfloor for the second level will sit.
• The Top Support: The very top of the frame represents where the top wall of the second floor will meet the roof, acting as the resting point for our roof trusses.

As we continue to go vertical with the build, the wood framing will integrate directly with this steel skeleton—the subfloor will sit at the first level, the roof trusses at the top, and the second-floor walls will be built up in between.

Structural engineering is one part of the detailed planning that goes into every custom home build. It takes an incredible amount of planning, engineering, and hard work to get these heavy-duty structural details figured out, but it is incredibly rewarding to see it all come together seamlessly on-site. Check out THIS VIDEO if you would like to see more on Moment Frames.

— Sean, Superintendent at Structure Custom Builds

Building a Custom Home in Colorado? Every custom home brings its own design, engineering and construction considerations. Structure Custom Builds works with clients to turn their vision into a home designed around their needs and their property.

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