A ribbon board in construction is a type of cladding system used as part of the external façade of a building. It consists of thin, narrow pieces of metal, usually aluminum, installed horizontally above each other in a continuous loop.
Ribbon boards are used in both commercial and residential buildings alike, and can often be seen as an aesthetic feature in residential projects. They are also popularly used to cover the external walls of high rise buildings and commercial complexes, providing an attractive feature, whilst also protecting the building from weathering and decay.
The most common colors used in ribbon boards are grey, black, silver and white, although other colors are also available. In addition to its purely aesthetic role, a ribbon board can also be used as a way to improve the thermal performance of a building, as the boards act as a barrier against heat transmission.
The overall installation process is relatively straightforward, and most projects can be achieved within a couple of days.
What is a ribbon in balloon framing?
A ribbon in balloon framing is the single, continuous wooden structural element that ties together the top and bottom plates, two or more studs, and rafters or header and trimmer joists in the framework of a wood-frame building.
Earlier balloon framing came with U-shaped ribs (hence the name) and later models came with flat ones. It is traditionally used in the construction of balloon-framed houses, and is also sometimes used as a wall tie when returning walls, such as in a bay window.
In addition, it is used to join architectural features, such as door or window openings, and can also be used to tie beams or floor joists in multi-story buildings. Ribboning is a very simple, cost-effective technique of creating a solid structural building frame that provides stability, strength and longevity.
How do you put a ribbon on a frame?
Putting a ribbon on a frame is an easy way to hang and display art and/or photographs. To do it, start by measuring out two lengths of ribbon that is long enough to extend around the edges of the frame.
Next, attach one end of each of the two lengths of ribbon to each corner of the back of the frame using a small piece of tape. After the two ribbons are securely attached to the frame, tie them together in a tight knot in the middle of the frame.
Then, cut off the excess ribbon and use a dab of hot glue or craft glue to attach the knot to the back of the frame. Lastly, hang the frame up by the ribbons. This will allow the frame to hang securely and the ribbon will provide an elevated and decorative look.
What is balloon ribbon used for?
Balloon ribbon is a tool used to tie balloons together or to attach them to items like walls or ceiling decorations. They are commonly used to make balloon arches, columns, or other balloon decorations.
Balloons can be tied together in a variety of ways – from simple knots or bows, to intricate balloon sculptures and arrangements. By adding a ribbon to the end of balloons, you are able to secure the balloons and prevent them from moving or coming undone.
Balloon ribbon can also be used as decoration – for example, ribbons can be tied around centrepieces, vases, tablecloths, and other decorations. Additionally, balloon ribbon can be used in gifting – for example, balloons can be attached to gifts or gift bags.
Why is balloon framing no longer used?
Balloon framing, which is a type of wood framing traditionally used in historic American homes, is no longer used often today. This is due to several reasons. First, balloon framing is labor intensive and requires much more time to build than more modern techniques, making it less cost effective.
Additionally, the techniques can put additional force on the walls and can put additional stress on the joists, making it less stable than more modern techniques. Modern techniques, such as platform framing, also allows for a faster pace of construction, making it a much better option for today’s market.
In addition, platform framing offers better support, especially when large amounts of weight are present. For these reasons and more, balloon framing is no longer used as much today, with platform framing taking the lead in home construction.
What is the string attached to a balloon called?
The string that is attached to a balloon is often referred to as a “string tail”, “balloon tail”, or “balloon line”. Typically made of flat ribbon, string tails are a distinctive component of balloon décor and can often be seen in a variety of colors, shapes, and styles.
String tails are secured tightly to the balloon by knotting the ribbon and twisting it into place, making sure there are no gaps between the balloon and the string. Often times, string tails are finished with either a bow or unique balloon accessories to add a decorative element to any balloon arrangement.
Are there load bearing walls in balloon framing?
Yes, there are load bearing walls in balloon framing. Balloon framing is a method of wood-frame construction that was popular in the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. This type of construction was used for single-family homes and light-bearing structures.
As the name implies, balloon framing uses a single continuous frame, or several connected frames, that run from one end of the structure to the other with no supporting posts or beams in between. The studs that form the load-bearing walls are typically cut from two by fours and are usually placed sixteen or twenty-four inches apart.
The walls are then covered with plasterboard and sometimes siding, or brick and stone, to form the exterior of the structure. The roof, floors, and ceilings of the structure are then added as needed.
Because balloon framing is not as sturdy as stick or post-and-beam framing, it is usually not used in larger, heavier structures; however, it can be used to build load-bearing walls.
What’s the difference between balloon framing and platform framing?
Balloon framing and platform framing are two different methods of framing in which walls, floors and other structures are built. Balloon framing is a traditional method used until the mid-20th century when platform framing became more common.
In balloon framing, studs extend from the sill plate at the base of the wall up through the roof and are joined at each floor level, creating large open cavities between the studs in the walls, floors and ceilings.
This method is economical in terms of materials, but it is also more vulnerable to fire and requires more skill to install.
Platform framing, on the other hand, involves creating a frame of series of boxes one on top of the other, each with its own sill plate, wall studs and top plate. This creates walls that are essentially square, and helps to create straight, square lines throughout the house.
Platform framing is easier to install than balloon framing and also fire resistant, as there are smaller cavities for fire to spread through. Additionally, it is generally easier to insulate platform framed structures.
How do I know if my house has a balloon framing?
To know if your house has a balloon framing, you should first look at the walls and the ceilings. Balloon framing is typically characterized by the wall studs, which run all the way up to the rafters in the roof, without a supporting beam in between.
This is different from platform framing, which has a supporting beam in the middle of the wall, with shorter studs on either side. Additionally, balloon framing often has a wider spacing between studs – sometimes as much as 24 inches – so if the studs are spaced farther apart, this could be a sign that your house has a balloon frame.
You can also inspect any exposed framing members in the walls or ceilings for signs of balloon framing, such as notched or saddle-cut joints where the studs intersect with each other. In addition, if your house has a second story, it may be a sign of balloon framing as this was a popular method in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where was the first balloon frame house built?
The first balloon frame house was built in 1833 in Chicago, Illinois. The house was built by architect and carpenter James E. T. Palmer and was designed to be the first two-story home to use balloon framing, which is a style of construction that relies on nails and wall studs held together by wooden plates instead of being fastened with beams, posts, and joints.
Prior to that, most homes were built with a post-and-beam style of construction known as timber framing.
Because of the lack of heavy and expensive structural members in a balloon frame house, this style of construction spread quickly throughout the United States. This allowed homeowners to build much larger structures at a lower cost and with increased strength and stability, making this type of construction the preferred option for most homes in the US by the early 20th century.
The concept of the balloon frame was further developed and popularized by Eastlake Architect, Alexander C. Fesler, and was used in parts of the world as far away as Japan and Australia.
Who used balloon frame construction?
Balloon frame construction was an innovation developed in the United States in the mid-19th century. This type of wood frame construction was used by carpenters and builders in place of traditional timber framing.
The balloon framing technique allowed more cost efficient and rapid construction of wood-framed houses. The concept involved the use of long, straight, and relatively slender pieces of timber (rafters, studs, and joists) that were suspended between floor joists and roof rafters.
These pieces of wood were then cut and trimmed to fit together, without the need for complicated joinery techniques. The idea was that since each element of the frame was self-supporting, fewer beams and supports were necessary to construct a stable structure.
This allowed builders to work faster and more efficiently. The balloon frame construction technique quickly became the standard for residential construction in the US by the late 19th century, and it remains so today.