General |
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What are the advantages of panelized
construction over conventionally framed buildings? |
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Panelized homes made from , . panels
are erected quickly, provide unprecedented energy efficiency, offers
tremendous design flexibility and are substantially stronger than
conventional framing. In essence, the ,
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panelized system is the construction method of the 21st Century. |
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What holds the house up since framing is not used?
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Structural support is provided
by steel framing members placed 24" on center and screw connected to
steel engines at both the top and bottom of the panels. This assembly
results in a wall exponentially stronger than a conventional 2" x 4"
wall. |
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What are the disadvantages to this type of panelized
construction? |
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Sips wall and roof panels are state-of-the-art construction. As such, many
builders may not be familiar with erection techniques. Fortunately,
shell erection can be handled by an experienced , . or
local contractor familiar with this type of assembly. Moreover,
techniques required for construction are very easy to master, and
instruction is provided by , . |
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Is there an advantage to the 7" panel thickness
for walls and 12" panel thickness for the roof? |
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Yes, indeed. This construction
system provides the highest level of energy efficiency (4.35 R/1" at
25°F, 3.85 R/1" at 75°F) for a given wall or roof system available in
the industry. Additionally, because of the design flexibility, the
homeowner receives more living space than in comparatively insulated
houses, with the same outside dimensions, and vaulted (cathedral)
ceilings in all living space directly below roof members. |
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What is the interior layout like in a Sips home? |
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Because the building shell
provides most of the load-carrying requirements of the house, there is
inordinate flexibility of interior design. In fact, the improved volume
space offered by this system is a feature favored by
homeowners. Users can select a sips home design, plan
the layout themselves, or work with an architect, builder or representative to provide for all your special needs. Unlike
most houses, the structure does not constrain your design flexibility. |
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Sips Panels |
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What are Sips Panels? |
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Sips panels are highly insulated building panels which have a core
of rigid insulation supported with exterior and interior steel framing
members made from 1" x 2" 18 gauge galvanized steel. The steel framing
members are joined together with self-tapping screws to provide a
warp-free integral structure. Adjacent panels are joined with top and
bottom 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" steel angles which are secured with self-tapping
screws. |
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What kind of exterior siding can be used on the panels? |
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Virtually any type of exterior
application can be employed. This would include masonry, wood, vinyl or
aluminum. |
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How are panels made? |
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Panels are designed, cut and
assembled to very specific tolerances at the , . plant.
Each wall and roof section is custom made for a specific home.
Therefore, both builders and home owners have confidence that the system is made
specifically for their use. |
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Are there problems with dimensional stability of
the panels? |
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Panels are extremely stable, and
while they may expand slightly, the effect is almost indefinable. |
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Does the R-value of the EPS experience thermal drift? |
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No, when
properly insulated, the R-value of EPS insulation remains constant
because the cellular structure contains only stabilized air. The
R-value of EPS will not decrease with age. As a result, the thermal
resistance, or R-value, may be used without age adjustment. |
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Why isn't there a vapor barrier in the panel? |
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The panel itself serves as the
vapor barrier. Most model building codes require a vapor barrier with a
perm rating of 1 or less. The perm rating of the system is less
than 1. Moreover, with the , .
system wall, voids are eliminated and therefore moisture does not
condense. Moisture is not a problem with this panelized system. The
expanded Polystyrene (EPS) material in the panels will absorb and
release moisture on a seasonal basis, but there are no harmful effects
from this cycling. |
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Do I need to add a vapor barrier or use a vapor
retardant paint? |
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No vapor barrier is required
with the panel. The only place where moisture migration might be a
concern is at panel joints; however, these joints are sealed following
installation to prevent moisture areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms,
is recommended. |
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Environmental and Health Concerns |
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What are the physical properties of expanded
Polystyrene (EPS)? |
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EPS is an advanced formulation
of lightweight, closed cell plastic foam material composed of hydrogen
and carbon atoms. It is derived from petroleum and natural gas
by-products and developed for high R-value, structural strength, and for
safety characteristics. |
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Does temperature cycling affect EPS insulating
characteristics? |
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No. EPS is able to withstand
the abuses of temperature (freeze-thaw) cycling without loss of
structural integrity or other physical properties, thus assuring long
term performance. |
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Is EPS manufactured with chloroflourocarbons
(CFCs) or hydroclorofluoro carbons (HCFCs)? |
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No. EPS neither contains nor
uses chlorofluorocarbons, usually referred to as CFCs or
hydrochloroflourocarbons, referred to as HCFCs, in its manufacturing
process. |
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What happens when the panel burns? |
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When the panels burn, quantities
of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are released; however the volume
released is substantially less than that released by a comparable amount
from white oak or Douglas fir. |
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What is the wall finish rating of , .Panels? |
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ASTM testing by an independent
laboratory showed the wall finish rating of the panels can achieve up to a one hour rating with drywall
attached. Complete information on wall and roof finish ratings is
available from. |
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What are the building code requirements for panels
relative to fire? |
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Building and fire codes vary
from location to location, however, typically a 15 minute finish rating
is required for light construction. panels, with an interior layer of 1/2" drywall, significantly
surpasses this requirement. Complete information on wall and roof
finish ratings is available from , . |
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Do I need an air-to-air heat exchanger? |
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Air-to-air heat exchangers,
and/or other types of mechanical ventilation are recommended in all
tight houses, including those constructed with sips panels recommends that air-to-air
heat exchangers be incorporated into all of our sips homes. |
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Does EPS offer good moisture resistance? |
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Yes. A study by the Energy
materials Testing Laboratory has show that EPS insulation does not
absorb appreciable moisture, even under conditions characteristic of
prolonged, cold, damp winters. The small amount of moisture absorbed
(an average of 0.02% by weight) has little or no effect on compression
and flexural strength. Further, the EPS insulation retains between 95%
and 97% of its thermal efficiency. |
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Finishing a , . Home |
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What skills are required for finishing a , . home? |
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General
carpentry skills are all you will need to finish a home constructed with
the panelized wall and roof
system. Skilled homeowners can do most of the work themselves,
subcontracting work requiring specialized skills such as electrical and
plumbing. |
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How is the roof finished? |
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After panel joints are sealed,
1/2" OSB or plywood is fastened to the steel structural members in the
roof panels, and then felt paper and shingles are installed. |
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Can exterior siding be directly applied to the
Sips panels? |
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Generally, yes. Felt paper and
other moisture barriers should not be used between the panels and
siding; however, an air barrier such as Tyvek or Typar is recommended. |
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How should the siding be applied? |
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Horizontal siding is screwed
directly to the structural support members of the panels. |
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Are windows and doors difficult to install? |
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Windows and doors are ready to
install in a home because of the exacting standards
used to cut rough openings prior to delivery. After 2"x8" framing,
units are set into the openings and shimmed to level. Then, the
perimeters are sealed with expanding foam sealer, resulting in an energy
efficient installation. |
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How are interior walls installed? |
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Interior partition walls are
generally constructed of either wood or steel 2x4s and sheathed with
drywall, as in conventional frame construction. Where an interior
partition wall meets an exterior wall, the edge stud is screwed into a
structural support member pre-designed for that location. |
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How do you run wiring in panels? |
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Horizontal wiring runs are engineered into the panels prior to assembly,
so field wiring is simplified. Vertical runs can be field routed with
minimal effort. |
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How are electrical boxes attached to
panels? |
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The
boxes are field screwed to the structural support members in the wall
panels. |
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How do you run plumbing in a Sips home? |
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There
will be almost no difference between plumbing in a Sips
home and plumbing in a conventional framed house. |
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How are walls finished in a Sips home? |
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Walls
are generally finished with drywall on the interior face. Typically,
the drywall is fastened with self-tapping screws to the support members
of the panel; however, some builders use construction adhesive in
applying drywall to the Sips panels, enabling them to use fewer fasteners. |
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What is the best type of heating system
for a Sips home? |
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Any
type of heating system can be used; however, the advantages of this
unique, high energy efficient panelized system will reduce the BTU
loading requirement substantially from what is conventionally expected.
Where gas is available, a 50 GAL hot water tank will meet all heating
and domestic hot water needs. Therefore, work with your heating
contractor, general contractor or , Representative for
recommendations. |
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For additional information on Sips homes, custom designs and details on shell erection and
finishing, contact our company. at info@advancedstructuralbuildingsystems.us |