A wood-frame construction method where wall studs run continuously from the sill plate to the roof plate, with floor joists nailed to the sides of studs using ribbon boards. Examples: 1. Victorian-era homes (1850s-1930s) – Multi-story houses with ornate facades often used balloon framing for its ease of constructing tall, continuous walls 2. Two-story gable structures – As shown in the uploaded image, where studs extend uninterrupted through both floor levels to the roof peak 3. Narrow urban townhouses – Where tall, straight walls were needed on party walls between adjacent buildings Materials Used: - Dimensional lumber studs: typically 2×4 (38×89mm) or 2×6 (38×140mm), lengths 16-24 ft (4.9-7.3m) - Ribbon board (ledger/firestop): 1×4 (19×89mm) or 1×6 (19×140mm) let into studs - Floor joists: 2×8 (38×184mm) to 2×12 (38×286mm) - Sill plate and top plate lumber Key Characteristics: - Continuous studs span multiple stories - Floor joists rest on ribbon boards notched into studs - Requires fire blocking between floors (per IRC R302.11) - Less common today due to fire safety concerns and long lumber requirements Code References: - IRC Section R602 (Wood Wall Framing) - IRC R302.11 (Fireblocking) - NFPA 5000 (Building Construction and Safety Code)