Page 27 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2021 Issue

Attractive option. Structural
insulated panels (SIPs) offer
higher true R-values in the THE STATE OF
same thickness of a wall SUSTAINABLE
assembly. And, when the
lumber prices are high, SIPs BUILDING 2022
can be installed for the same
cost as a stick-framed wall.
CREDIT: ISTOCK/BRIZMAKER
advantage of economies of scale, faster speed, and improved qual-
ity control, making it an increasingly attractive option. Modular
construction also exhibits a substantial decrease in waste gen-
eration when compared to traditional building methods—up to
90 percent, according to the Waste & Resources Action Pro-
gramme (WRAP).
“Green building efforts for site-built construction focus on
reuse, recycling or diversion of waste that is generated on site,”
notes the Modular Building Institute. “With off-site construc-
tion, however, the materials can be managed prior to leaving
the factory, offering a much more efficient process to reduce the
amount of waste sent to landfills.”
The global modular construction market size is projected to
grow from $85.4 billion in 2020 to USD $107.9 billion by 2025,
according to COGNITION. This market growth is attributed to
increased concern about labor shortages, work-zone safety, envi-
ronmental impact, ongoing investment in residential housing
development, renewed focus on upgrading healthcare infrastruc-
ture, and government incentives.
and sealed in a thin, gas-tight envelope to give outstanding R-val-
ues and an ultra-thin insulation solution. Manufacturers tout that QUALITY CONTROL’S TOP ALLY: PANELIZATION
VIPs have a high level of thermal efficiency (up to five times bet- Quality insulation, windows and other building envelope systems
ter than other commonly available building insulation materi- are paramount for home performance. Experts note that poor
als) with minimal thickness. VIPs are also more than 90 percent insulation installation can cut a building’s energy performance by
(by weight) recyclable and therefore make for a very sustainable up to 28 percent. This is a growing concern, particularly as energy
option, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). performance targets continue to ratchet up. Enter panelization,
which solves for quality issues because the wall framing is so
MODULAR AND PREFABS: INSTANT ACHIEVEMENTS precise that insulation installation can be exact.
Projected to gain momentum and market adoption over time due Panelization, or prefabricated wall panels, can also solve water
to the resource and labor efficiencies that the process can achieve, and moisture management concerns. Fiberglass and other “soft
modular and prefabricated construction makes it possible to take fill” insulation materials are the most common failure points in
wood-frame construction, according to COGNITION data. They
are prone to trapping moisture, leading to mold, fungus, and rot.
Insulation Imperfect housing. For example, California’s Quality Installation Inspec-
States recognize the method’s importance to quality control in
tion (QII) sets specific standards for panelization in residential
The Alexandria, Virginia-based Insulation Institute and Plano, Texas-head- dwellings and offers incentives to builders who meet the stan-
quartered construction consulting firm Burgess Construction Consultants dards. It has also become a key factor when a builder seeks Lead-
conducted a survey of more than 100 of the nation’s top production builders ership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
to identify the five most common insulation install flaws. The study also asked for a home.
builders to identify their biggest challenges in working with insulation contrac- There’s a labor-friendly aspect as well. Prefabricated wall sys-
tors. Most responses pointed toward use of incorrect materials and improper tems can be installed with smaller crew sizes—typically six to
installation. According to the results, the top five areas in which insulation eight people—which is a 60 percent or greater reduction in jobsite
flaws can compromise a building’s energy performance are: workforce compared to on-site construction, according to a report
1. Improper sealing around windows, doors, and rough openings in Walls & Ceilings.
2. No sealing of plate penetrations and chases “Throughout the pandemic, the construction industry has
3. Improperly installed air barriers around double walls, tubs, and showers witnessed how a controlled manufacturing environment has
4. Drywall not sealed to top plates allowed fabrication and construction to stay on schedule,” the
5. Misalignment of insulation report notes. “In a post-pandemic world, these benefits will
remain important.”

www.greenbuildermedia.com November/December 2021 GREEN BUILDER 25