2×6 Or 2×8 Sill Plate: A Brief Talk On Which Is Better?

Going to plan a new house construction? Then you are surely thinking about your foundation materials as well. 

The sill plates upon which your structure will stand are an important part of your build. Without it, you will not have a properly structured foundation. That is why choosing the right sill plate is imperative.

So, which one is better? 2×6 or 2×8 sill plate?

This is determined by what type of structure you will be building. Normally the 2×6 sill plate is the most used and available. It helps in making a better cost-effective structure. But that does not mean 2×8 is not good. Rather it has its own particular usage. Making it an important component.

Loving the information we are giving? Then let’s jump into the details and know which one will be the better choice for you.

Importance and Variations of Sill Plate

Using a sill plate is a very important part of framing your structure. Usually, concrete foundations used in houses are uneven in pouring. This is due to the materialistic construct of concrete.

This is why to make a stable platform for your flooring and walls to be stable, you need to use a sill plate. Sill plates work as the leveling platform on which your structure stays level. It also helps in distributing the weight of the structure evenly.

Sill plates create a flat and even surface. This surface helps you construct your structure and framing. It is also known as the first piece of wood upon which your building stands. Just like sill plate on block wall.

These reasons alone make the sill plate very much an integral component of your building.

Sill plates are normally made from wood. Slab-on-grade foundations are commonly used in modern homes. Which do not have hollow spaces or basements. The first level of the home is a concrete slab. Instead of a wood-framed platform in this design.

First walls are constructed on the structure or on a short concrete foundation that surrounds it. The bottom plates among these walls are basically the house’s sill plates. Which are bolted to the foundation.

The bottom plate of the wall could be referred to as a sill plate in this scenario. The sill plates are also known as sills or sill beams in traditional timber-frame construction.

They are large timbers with notches for receiving vertical wall posts and floor beams or joists.

Timber frame sills, as strong, stiff beams, provide more structural support than conventional sill plates. They may rely upon their own strength to support the structure by adding to the foundation.

Timber sills can be placed on top of stone or masonry foundations, or even directly on the ground, however, this causes premature rot.

Now, let’s move on to which sill plate is better.

2×6 VS 2×8 Sill Plate: Quick Comparison

Before going into the details of these two types of sill plates, let’s take a look at the basic comparisons.

Features	2×6 Sill Plate	2×8 Sill Plate
Availability	Available In Every Hardware Shops	Rare type of sill plate. Hence, has less availability
Weight Distribution	Depends on the thickness	Depends on the thickness
Cost	Costs within $100	Costs depending on the availability.

Dimensional Differences

As the name suggests, 2×6 sill plates are the dimensional definition. The sill plate measurements are 2 inches by 6 inches. Whereas the 2×8 sill plates measure 2 inches by 8 inches.

2×6 sill plate is the most popular in North American house building. Because the concrete foundation that is done has a footing of 8 inches. It is maintained by law to be this size.

This is why 2×6 sill plates are very much used in construction. As it is the perfect size to install over an 8-inch footing.

But to use 2×8 sill plates, you will need to have a larger 10-inch footing. You can use it over the normal 8-inch footings. 

Weight Distribution

The smaller size of the 2×6 sill plate gives you the adjustment leeway. This means you can easily adjust your sill plates to level out the floor. As well as, this gives you a better weight distribution.

2×8 sill plates have good weight distribution as well. But common 8-inch footing is used in house construction. This is why 2×8 sill plates have a disadvantage. The free space for adjusting isn’t there. That will compromise the structural integrity of your build.

These bolt attachments are best in terms of build quality and weight taking. Using them will ensure you have a good structure.

Also, make sure that your sill plates do not have the risk of cracking.

Cost

Now finally it comes down to cost. In any construction, the price of any component has a huge role in the choice of material. This also is true in choosing sill plates.

A 2×6 sill plate costs less. This is due to the size and mass production. In terms of cost-effectiveness, using the 2×6 sill plate is better. Saving you from the extra expenditure. 

But using 2×8 sill plates is very much expensive. As it will need better joint bolts. Better reinforcement structures. Increasing the cost exponentially. This is why in North America, 2×8 is often neglected in use.

Which One Is Better?

Analyzing the benefits both in costs and structural basis, it’s better to use 2×6 sill plates. This doesn’t make the 2×8 sill plate a bad choice.

Using 2×8 sill plates in home buildings is a bit rare nowadays. As the conventional method goes for using 2×6. But some cases like older house restorations need it. Neo-modern structures also need 2×8 sill plates.

But in terms of managing the cost and building complications, it is a hassle. As well as you might have to decide on what size lumber for sill plate you need.

So in terms of building components, 2×8 inches sill plating is good. But the extra cost and time are something you should factor in.

2×6 sill plates are used widely. Almost all construction of houses is made using it. Making it a very widely available component. As well as, a very good structural base for your build. 

Should you have doubts about what to choose, we will recommend you to choose the 2×6 sill plating. But always remember to have proper anchor spacing sill plates. Otherwise, your structure won’t be stable.

That is all we have to say about this topic.

FAQs

Conclusion

That is all we have to say about 2×6 or 2×8 sill plate. We hope that the information we have given will work for your benefit. 

In hindsight, choosing which type of sill plate to use is dependent on the type of structure and dimension you are working on.

If you have any more questions about it, better to ask a professional for in-depth help.

Until then, happy timbering!