How many 2x4s in a 3500 square foot house?

Answer 1

The number of 2x4's depends on a great number of variables.

First of all, is it a one story house? Are the exterior walls made of studs?

Even if the walls of the house are in fact stud walls - it is possible (perhaps probable) that they are 2x6 studs, not 2x4 studs.

For the sake of example though, let's assume every wall in the house (inside and out) are composed of wood 2x4 studs. Generally they are spaced 16" apart. Thus, you would need to count the linear feet of wall in the house - then multiply that figure by 12 (to convert to inches), then divide that number by 16.

There is more than just walls however. At the base of every wood stud wall is a continuous "bottom plate" of wood stud. If the studs are 10' long, then you would need to divide the linear feet of walls by 10. If the studs are 8' long, you would need to divide the linear feet of walls by 8, and so on. Similarly, at the top of every stud wall is a "top plate" which actually consist of TWO studs. So you would do the same as the bottom plate - but this time double your answer.

Everywhere there is a door or window, these are framed out with 2x4s. So at every door and window you would need to see how wide they are, and add that length in stud. For windows you would need to do this at the top and the bottom.

Studs are also used miscellaneously all throughout a building for framing. For example, if a handle at a handicap toilet is framed into a wall - this handle cannot be simply screwed into drywall - it needs a firm structure to hold it in place. Usually this done by adding 2x4 stud in the wall cavity where the handle will go.

Similarly, where wall cabinets are hung, there is typically hidden studs in the wall to help hold these cabinets firmly in place.

Wood studs are also used to frame up the roof structure, but these would likely never be 2x4 (something much larger such as 2x12).

Hope this helps.