SAHBA Home Hints
November 25, 2007
Build Green with Insulated Building Blocks
Building a “green” home doesn't need to be a hassle. With an insulated building system, a custom home can be framed in less time while simultaneously building a stronger, tighter and quieter home.
“Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) have been around for decades but only recently have achieved a high degree of popularity and acceptance,” said Bill Siemon, Owner of Panel Pro Associates.
These sandwich-like panels consist of two outer layers of Oriented Strand Board and an inner airtight core of high-performance foam insulation. They are custom fabricated per existing house plans and can be used for walls, roofs and even floors.
“These panels are fabricated in the factory, shipped to the job-site and individually assembled on site,” said Siemon. “Once assembled, the panels create a sturdy, uni-body type envelope, complete with an uninterrupted “blanket” of high-performance insulation, up to R-48.”
The system is interlocked panel by panel using tongue and groove style links.
“With this one simple installation process, walls are assembled complete with custom door and window cut-outs, as well as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Insulation,” said Siemon, a SAHBA member.
SIPs can be installed by Panel Pro Associates, or delivered to a jobsite for personal installation. Due to the customized manufacturing of these panels, SIPs can be provided in thicknesses ranging from four to 12 inches depending on personal preferences.
“The insulation in this system is a component, rather than an after thought,” said Siemon.
EPS insulates with an airtight seal preventing heating and cooling leakages from the home translating to lower energy consumption. This allows for up to a 60% decrease in heating and cooling costs.
SIPs also are very cost-efficient due to the lack of wasted resources on the jobsite. These panels are custom made in the factory; therefore, they are not wasted during construction.
“This method uses up to 35% less raw timber, it wastes less materials, and it saves a huge amount of energy in the home,” said Siemon. “Integrating SIPs into any building project is an easy and cost effective way to build green,”
Details: Siemon at 975-2995.
SAHBA represents about 750 member businesses and 40,000 jobs serving the residential construction industry in Pima and Cochise counties.
- END -