So, long story short ... I am about to put up a 50 x 60 (16 ft high walls) workshop.  Pad is poured ... insulated under with foam and on the sides (12" thickened edge) and for about 36" out (12" below grade where the concrete ends).

The building is going to be covered with T1-11 (except for the first couple of feet ... extending the foam and covering it with stucco ... mechanical protection against the weed eater and keep the T1-11 off the ground and from rotting).

Now here it my thought.

I was going to use double stud walls but money is tight .... especially since this is just a workshop.

I can go with 2 x 6 walls at 16" centers.

Then I thought how about 2 x 8 walls at either 16 or 24 centers.

My only fear is T1-11 on 24".  I have never used it but was told it warps a lot.  Not worried about the $ for a few more studs ... just less bridging with less studs (one less for every 4 ft).

Anyway, the difference is about $1000 max between these options.

Now for my "real" question.

I liked the double stud walls just because they isolate the inner and outer walls ... no bridging except where joined.

What if I use 2 x 8 and then run my saw down the center of them to effectively make them two studs.  I could leave say 12" .... cut 36" ... leave 12" ... cut 36" .....

Although the gap would only be the width of the blade (say 1/16 -1/8), it would isolate the inner and outer wall except where I leave it sold (as would be if I joined two stud walls in a couple of spots).

Any thoughts on this????

Worth doing or just wasting my time???

Thanks .... Mike .....cold cold Vermont (had a week of -30 while living in the RV building the house)

You need to look at ICF for the walls IMO.

You'd be essentially building a double stud 2x4 wall with thermal breaks (at the 2x8) ever 4 feet.

Either build a double stud wall or don't.

This is a bunch of extra work for no real gain.

And you're not really saving much if anything. As 2x8 framing lumber is right around 2x the price of 2x4 framing lumber.

Thanks so much!

I checked code with a "green" building consultant. The said it is really not up to date when it comes to double stud walls. He recommended the double 2 x 4's.

You are right, price is within $.50 ( 2 x8 = 13.5 2 x 4= 7 x 2 = 14).

Thanks so much !

Mike