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Forums | manufactured housing | PATH Attributes-some comments...... |
| Author | Message |
dmcdaniel | Posted - 20 December 2002 10:47    I noticed, as I jumped down the 'Technology Inventory' list on the PATH web site that the only technologies that rate a 'Quality' check mark are those materials that the builders still need to piece together on the job site; namely engineered framing lumber and steel studs. Wouldn't you consider SIPs to be high quality and deserving of a check mark? As a SIP manufacturer, I know that the quality of our ICBO/BOCA/SSBCCI approved, PFS/TECO inspected SIPs are of a very high quality. In fact, I think you'll find that most builders who use SIPs find them to be very high quality. Sometimes the accuracy can be too good ('cause the concrete foundation and / or the framed floor system are not usually to print and the panels are.....). SIPs are inherently square and plumb. Additionally, I disagree with the following statements: "SIPs cannot be used for corners other than 90 degrees or curves." "They are not usually used for ceiling height greater than 8 feet." "SIPs may work better for wall construction than for roofs. Because the panels are heavy, roof installation can be complicated. Roof design loads are higher than walls and floors which reduces the allowable unsupported roof span. " Precision Panel (as well as other panel manufacturers) do bay window walls with SIPs on almost every home we build (it's the style....jpeg pictures available upon request.) Additionally, we build many homes with wall heights greater than 8 feet. Quite a few of the homes we build (entirely) were ordered initially due to the fact that we could 'balloon frame' walls (up to 24' high, jpeg pictures available upon request) and the customer is confident that these SIP walls will never bow, twist or warp. Roof panels are one of the best uses for SIPs. The 'roof design loads' can be met with SIPs for almost everything Precision Panel builds. Keep in mind that we have areas here in Idaho that require minimum live / dead load capacities of 125+ psf. Some of the SIP roof panels that we have installed here in the Boise Valley have been over 22 feet long. We just completed a roof system in the mountains that required design loads for the roof panels of 200 psf.(jpeg pictures available upon request). Some of the side benefits of using roof panels are: 1. Dramatic interior vault. 2. Structure, insulation and nailbase in one application 3. Venting of roof panels not required (therefore, a cleaner roof line). 4. Very energy efficient roof/ceiling insulation. Since most builders use a crane for their PE trusses, most feel that the crane cost is essentially a wash when they are setting roof panels instead of trusses. If builders feel that roof panels are complicated to install, I believe this is the fault of the SIP manufacturer. There is a learning curve (about 2 hours) to setting roof panels and the SIP manufacturer should provide on-site consultation and / or assistance in my opinion. "SIPs materials are more expensive than wood frame construction." Yes, SIPs materials are more expensive. However, a large portion of this cost can be offset by accelerating on-site construction times. If panels arrive on the job site literally ready-to-assemble, the exterior wall framing can be completed in a fraction of the time. Precision Panel installed Floor SIPs and Wall SIPs on (2) 1536 Sqaure Foot homes in Colorado between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on November 13, 1998. This isn't possible with framing........ "Electric installation for SIPs homes may be more costly than for stick-built homes." If electricians struggle with wiring panel homes, then wire chases aren't properly installed in the panels or, again, the SIP manufacturer hasn't provided assistance. The learning curve is about 30 minutes, and the electrician needs to know how to operate a typical router. Most electricians will find that a typical house using SIPs for just the exterior walls is very simple, as long as vertical wire chases are installed in the panels. If they are, then the electrical can be run through the trusses and dropped down through the top plates into the walls and out the pre-routed box opening. "Because SIPs create airtight construction, whole-house mechanical ventilation may be necessary." Airtight construction is somewhat of a mixed blessing. Although a fully panelized home (SIP floors, walls and roof for example) is very airtight, the mechanical air exchange system give you much more control over the interior living environment than typical stick frame air infiltration will. In addition, the HVAC system of a SIP home should be down-sized to allow the system to cycle on and off at regular intervals (this will help keep the interior environment from becoming stale). On the upside, the inherent energy efficiency is a plus. From an "Environmental Performance' stand point, I believe SIPs should get the PATH check mark. As you mention in 'Engineered Wood Wall Framing,' SIPs also utilize fast growing, hybrid-type trees for the OSB skins, reducing old-growth timber consumption. A fully panelized home (envelope) can reduce 2x materials by as much as 70% on a home. Additionally, the Expanded Polystyrene is recyclable and a more energy efficient home is friendly to our natural resources. A PATH check mark can also be argued for 'Durability.' SIP homes have been around for around 50 years. The early homes are still standing and in use. A number of SIP homes manufactured by Premier Building Systems of Puyallup, Washington, made it through the Kobe, Japan, earthquake with little or no structural damage, while other homes around them were rubble. There are also SIP homes that were left in tact after Hurricane Andrew blew through the south eastern US. I hope this information helps. While I was reading through the PATH web site, it occured to me that the SIP information seems to be a bit out-dated. Take another look.... Talk with some builders who are using panels manufactured by ourselves and any other FULL service SIP manufacturer. I think you'll be surprised. Kind Regards, Drew McDaniel General Manager Precision Panel Structures, Inc. 208 - 939 - 2610 Phone 208 - 939 - 9905 Fax sips@cyberhighway.net www.precisionpanel.com |