You should be able to get a supplemental to the plans explaining the switch. Depending on door and window type, you will have to have wider jambs when ordering. It will affect your lumber takeoff as well if it has already been calc'd.

We're planning on 2x6 for exterior walls, and 2x4 for interior walls..can you do that, and it would still affect the plans, but not as much as if it were all to change to 2x6? I'm a novice, so maybe it wouldn't actually make that much of a difference...

Wish I would have realized there was a choice. Now I learn my window jamps are shallow and that's upsetting and compromises my plans for certain window treatments. Can't wait to hear the answer to this question.

There's no reason to have 2x6 for interior walls (or no great reason), unless they're needed for support. Exterior you use 2x6 typically to allow more insulation, but I assume that's not an issue where you're building, because it's usually required in cold locations.

It's not a pure swap out, because it will change dimensions a bit, so depending on measurements on plans, they may need to do some recalculation. As a physical matter it shouldn't be a problem, though, just that the materials are more expensive.

Im sure the o.p. was referring to exterior walls. 2x6 exterior walls are more structural, less chance of flexing, added r-value and make a quiter wall. Downside is extra materials expense, but in areas of the country where extra insulation is a plus, im sure there's a payback. In calif. 2x6 exterior walls are mandatory throughout the state.

sierraeast is right in reference to the benefits. Especially in really hot/cold climes in relation to insulating factor. Downside is it will be more expensive. But you want a house with 'good bones' to begin with.

lsst, my DH, who is the builder said it's because our insulated windows are so thick. I didn't even think about this when the framing was being done. What do I know, I've never built a house before and I know DH was trying to do things in the most efficient way possible so I guess that explains why we don't have the 2'6's. He surely wasn't thinking about window treatments. HA!

It's not a huge deal and one I'll obviously have to live with. Since it's my last home I won't have the opportunity to fix that mistake. HA!

"Our floor plan shows 2x4 framing, if we wanted to switch to 2x6's would we need to have the plan redrawn or would the builder be able to install windows/doors without too much adjustment? Thanks!"

What stage are you at? If you don't have your zoning and building permits yet, you should ask them what they require. They are the ones that can tell you what is required.

If you already have your permits and they were approved for 2x4 walls, then upgrading to 2x6 walls should be allowable but you'll need to find out from your local code authority if you need to do anything different with them to document this structual change and if you need to change your drawings. We can only guess. They are the ones that can tell you what you can and can't do.

This may or may not help you but I'll share it anyway. We are in the planning stages of our build. We are considering and pricing different options. One has to do with insulation and exterior walls. If we use 2x6 walls, we'll use fiberglass insulation. If we use 2x4 walls we'll use expanding foam (like Icynene) insulation. I have only compared the lumber and drywalls costs so far and this is the part that might help you.

With my local lumber and drywall prices, 2x4 exterior walls are 21% less expensive than 2x6 walls both on 16" centers. Windows are made for 2x4 walls. When you use them in 2x6 walls, you need to add jamb extensions to your window order. I believe that the prices vary depending on window specifics and have not priced it yet to add to the overall cost difference. But with that said, I would expect even more savings with 2x4 walls due to this difference in costs.

If you are already under contract with a builder, expect a heavty change order fee to upgrade from 2x4 walls to 2x6 walls.

I hope my babbling helped someone.

For your reference, our plans were drawn with 2x6 exterior walls and during the specification process, we research the possibility of changing to 2x4 as a cost savings measure. Our GCs estimates indicated this would save us roughly $1250 in windows, $1200 in lumber and $1500 in insulation. Our home is a 1/2 story with 2000 fsf on the main floor and 1200 on the second. Our personal decision was that the cost savings was not enough to justify the loss of the benefits sierraeast described. Best of luck!

Like jaymielo said, we never even considered 2x4 exterior walls with the price of propane, gas and electric going nowhere but up these days. We didn't ask what 2x4s would have saved us but even if it were $10K, over the life of our house we expect to save that in utility bills, not to mention we prefer the "solid" feel of the 2x6 exterior. We did one interior wall in 2x6 as well so that we could insulate it from another room.

I guess it depends on where you're building as to whether the extra cost is worth it based on money savings on utilities.

Our builder adapted our plan which called for 2 x 4 framing to 2 x 6 exterior wall framing for us. We didn't have to order supplemental plans from the architect. There are consequences to this decision (floor areas of rooms will be 2 inches smaller along exterior walls, you will need to order exterior doors with larger jambs, etc.), but the benefits should outweigh the negatives. I can't remember if we got a cost differential from the builder.