Foam Insulation and Steel Frame

     Two unmistakable trends in the home building industry lead to 1. dimensional lumber is losing its place as the dominant structural material, and 2. manufactured components are steadily replacing site-built ones. The expectation is that panelized walls will grow in greater importance.

     The engineered panels feature 20 and 18 gauge steel studs for strength and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam for insulation. Wall panels range from 3 ½ in. to 7-1/4 in. thick (up to R-30) and roof panels up to 12 in. thick (R-50). EPS foam is ozone-safe, because it uses air for a blowing agent, rather than CFC and HCFC compounds used by some other foam makers.

     The panels are made by first routing the panels to accept a structural steel stud, with the studs being spaced depending on engineering specifications.  Lateral Stabilizing track is placed on the top and bottom edges join the assembly together, with the ability of creating a panel up to 32 ft. long.

     Steel angle wraps each corner, inside and out, and fastens to the studs. Siding can be screwed directly to the Studs. Window and door openings are built into the panels and wrapped with steel track. Roof panels can sit on a ridge beam resulting in an entire upstairs with cathedral ceilings.

      With R-30 walls and R-50 roofs made from SIPs panels, the heating load is about 25 to 30 percent of a wood-framed house. This allows a high-recovery water heater to satisfy all water heating and space heating needs. A wiring chase is preformed into the wall panels and electrical boxes attach to the steel tubes. The manufacturer recommends that plumbing be located in interior partitions or in specially-built plumbing chases.

 Roof Panels

      Roof panels by are basically 4’ wide and can be up to 12” thick at a length of 36’. They are supported by ridge and purlin (mid-span) glue laminated beams. Gable, Hip, Mansard, Arched and Flat roofs can all be constructed using these roof panels.

     By design all roofs are vaulted in the interior. The vaulted area can be left vaulted and showcase the expansiveness of rooms. If desired, a floor can be constructed within to create a loft area thereby increasing square footage of living space within the same sized envelope.

     Skylights and dormers are easily incorporated into the Systems roofs.

Exterior Walls

      Standard exterior wall panels are either 5 ½ in. or 7 ¼ in. thick. Other thickness sizes are available specific to individual customer needs. All window and door openings, and associated headers, are built into the panels at the factory. Further, an electrical chase is factory routed into each wall panel.

     In most cases it is not necessary to use exterior sheathing, however, all panels should be wrapped in the field with house wrap as a good building practice.

     Wall panels are custom made specific to each structure’s architectural plans. Lengths may vary from 3' to 40' or more. While panel heights of 8', 9', and 10' are standard, wall heights of any size can be built to suit needs.

     All types of exterior finishes; aluminum siding, brick, cedar shake, metal siding, stone, stucco, vinyl or wood siding are compatible  with the panelized wall system.

Gable Panels

      Typically gable wall panels are the same thickness as the exterior walls below them. All necessary structural support for roof load beams and any openings are incorporated.