STRUGGLING TO KEEP WALLS STRAIGHT WHEN BUILDING WITH LUMBER
Engineered lumber for interior walls isn’t as wild an idea as it might seem, honestly. I’ve specified it a few times for projects where perfectly straight walls were non-negotiable—think high-end cabinetry or long runs where any wave would be super obvious. It’s true, the stuff is expensive compared to standard studs, but you’re trading dollars for peace of mind and less time wrestling with warped wood.
Here’s how I usually approach it:
1. Start with kiln-dried studs for most partitions—like you mentioned, they’re better, but not perfect.
2. For areas where straightness is critical (say, behind kitchen cabinets or in tall stairwells), I’ll swap in LVL or LSL studs. They’re dead straight and stay that way, even in weird humidity swings.
3. If budget’s tight, I’ll sometimes just use engineered lumber for the first and last stud in a wall, or at corners—keeps things square and helps the rest behave.
It’s definitely overkill for every single wall in a typical house, but for feature walls or spots where you know you’ll regret any bowing later, it can save a lot of headaches. One thing to watch out for: engineered studs are heavier and denser than regular lumber, so if you’re framing solo or with a small crew, it can slow you down a bit.
Curious if anyone here has tried mixing engineered and regular studs within the same wall? I’ve found it helps balance cost and performance, but maybe there are downsides I haven’t run into yet...
STRUGGLING TO KEEP WALLS STRAIGHT WHEN BUILDING WITH LUMBER
That’s actually a really smart way to approach it. I’ve been fighting with twisted studs on my own build and honestly, it’s a pain. Mixing engineered and regular studs seems like a good compromise—never thought about just doing the corners or key spots. Have you noticed any weird drywall issues where the two types meet? I keep worrying about unevenness down the line, but maybe I’m overthinking it...
