It's looking like my first project will be a shed/workshop. If I plan to insulate it, would it still be ok to put the studs on 24" centers like the plans call for? Also, when I go to the lumber yard, what's the cheapest 2x4 a person can get? Meaning, what grade to I ask for?
Jared
I don't see any reason why it wouldn't. Studs cut to length -92 5/8? appx from memory are usually cheapest but you would have to check prices there to compare.
Yes, you can get insulation for the 24" spacing. You can buy "utility grade" studs at many lumber yards. They are not graded for structural use and might be a problem in a house but are usually fine for a shed.
Do yourself a favor and stay away from the utility grade. You will spend more time looking through the offerings, and cursing yourself once you are building than it is worth for as little money as you will save. Douglas fir, or spruce are the only options most of the time. Sometimes the 92 1/4 studs are cheaper, sometimes 8' is cheaper. If you get a pack of 8 footers, line one end of them up against a board, mark them all, then cut them all in one swipe. OK...maybe not all of them, but quite a few cuts less than doing it one at a time. If you are not going to drywall or panel the inside, just use them at 8' and get an extra few inches cieling height. 92 1/4 is standard measurement, becaus you are usually using a bottom plate, and two top plates. Each one is 1 1/2 to 1 9/16, so with the precuts you end up with an 8' wall.