Page 31 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016

Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows / Heating / Lighting / Appliances / Faucets & Fixtures / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy

SIPs on the Roof? Structural Insulated Panels

The point where wall panels connect to an Virtues
SIP roof is one of the trickier details when
building a complete home shell with these pre- ¦¦ Reduces labor
made panels. Get it right, and you’ll have a super- time/cost up
strong, super-insulated structure. to 60 percent

IMAGE: WWW.THERMALSHELLHOMES.COM ¦¦ Excellent
insulating and
or polyisocyanurate). SIPs address air infiltration, R-value and air infiltration
vapor permeability, while at the same time creating the home’s barrier
structure and providing a nailing surface for siding and drywall.
So why aren’t they seen everywhere? Because they tend to cost Caveats
more up front than stick framing and aren’t widely understood
by contractors. But if you figure in the benefits in labor savings ¦¦ Storage on site
(up to 60 percent in some cases), plus the ongoing energy payback must be dry
to homeowners, you can argue that SIPs come out on par with or and flat
lower in cost than wood framing. GB
¦¦ More expensive
material
costs than
stick framing

¦¦ Skilled
installation
recommended
(for the wall to
roof transition
especially)

VISION HOUSE® AT MARIPOSA MEADOWS SPONSOR
Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA)

Since 1990, SIPA has worked to advance energy-efficient construction
through the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs). A replacement for
wood-frame construction, SIPs are made of foam core sandwiched
between two structural facings. SIPs provide builders shorter construction
time and less jobsite waste. Homeowners benefit because smaller heating
and cooling systems are required with SIP construction. www.sips.org

Study: Embodied Energy in the Home Materials with higher embodied energy
need to last longer to justify their cost
EEH SH to the environment. This study from
Total the University of Michigan compared
Floors an energy-efficient house (EEH) with
Foundation/Basement a standard house (SH)—and measured
Walls (Ext./Int.) the energy costs for construction,
Roof/Ceiling maintenance and improvement of a home
Appliances/Electrical within a 50-year lifespan. The EEH does
Windows/Doors slightly better on these measurements,
Sanitary/Piping but greater savings (not shown) will come
Kitchen Cabinets from energy savings in the more efficient
structure.
$0 $200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 $1,200 $1,400 $1,600
Gigajoules (1,000 MJ) – Editor

SOURCE: WWW.UMICH.EDU

www.greenbuildermedia.com The Homeowner’s Handbook 2016 GREEN BUILDER 29