Isn the skipped-floor system less expensive than tying off at every floor because it has fewer components?
No. This is a common misconception, and one that is not well-communicated by supporters of skipped stories. In a skipped-floor system, the components at a restraint point must resist all the forces from the non-restrained stories below. As a result, larger lumber sizes, threaded rod sizes and bearing plates must be used, which contribute to the cost. During construction, temporary bracing is also required to avoid possible collapse during a high wind or seismic event. An all-floors-tied-off system does not have these additional costs.
