T-Stud and Pocket Headers

Steve, I really appreciate learning from you

Thanks. Your videos are great. I will borrow your idea of wrapping the Zip R-3 into the rough opening for doors and windows. On exterior walls, I plan to use T-Studs on 16 OC for the cripple, jack, and king studs. Reverse them, and they fit together for jack/king studs. Like your build, I plan to use dimensional lumber for top plates, sill plates, and headers. Weighing cellulose versus fiberglass blown-in insulation. I am mounting the Zip R-3 siding vertically to avoid blocking. The foundation will start in a couple of weeks.

Steve, thank you for explaining about sheer strength. It makes it clear that with the 7 inch rigid foam planned for a build here on Prince Edward Island, zone 6, that my plan to use 3/4 plywood will be essential. Sorry Zip sheathing😔 not enough sheer and in this cold weather up here the poly iso is not effective compared to rigid foam due to loss of R in poly iso as temperatures get colder, but not so with rigid foam...on exterior. Appreciate your mention of sheer strength issue with exterior insulation. 🙏🙏 👍 ☺ 🇨🇦

Would staggered stud wall be cheaper and create a true thermal break?

Why a header in a non-bearing wall?