When tall, straight trees were plentiful, it was easy to get dimensional lumber in lengths of 18 or 20 feet (5.5 to 6.1 metres). Walls could be framed to extend from the top of the foundation to the underside of the roof, even in 2 storey buildings. This type of construction is called Balloon Frame.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF BALLOON FRAMED BUILDINGS:

• Wall framing lumber stands from the foundation up to the roof
• Floor joists are attached to wall studs and sit on a 'ledger' - a piece of lumber let-in and placed horizontally to support the floor frame.
• Tell tale sign of an old balloon frame - sagging floors and bowed exterior walls.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Balloon frame construction may be prone to fast flame spread because of the lack of fire blocking in the wall stud cavities, which act like chimneys allowing a fire to spread through to the attic.