Steel SIPs Combine Strength and Speed PATH Case Study

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This house was designed with the latest in steel SIP technology to make the construction process as appealing as the home itself. Costs offset by efficiency "We are set on building homes with good thermal building envelopes, indoor air quality, water quality, and natural light to improve the quality of living for the clients we build for," says Ballard. "The attributes of steel SIPs include the tightness of construction, improved indoor air quality and superior thermal properties. This all combines to create a healthier, more efficient and more affordable home. "Steel SIPs add between 5 to 10 percent to the overall cost of construction, so we try to determine in advance whether the budget is the client's primary consideration. If our clients plan to live in a home for more than five years, then the increased cost can be offset by monthly energy savings of 30 to 50 percent. The investment in steel SIP construction is usually recouped within ten years." Materials Steel SIPs can be used for floors, interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and roofs. Manufacturers of steel SIPs usually produce specific widths, so designing with modular increments corresponding to stock panel widths is recommended. Stock panels are typically 4 feet wide and range from 8 to 12 feet high. Even if panels are cut to fit one wall, the remaining portion can usually be used in another location to minimize waste. "The TransconSteel UltraFrame panels we use are made with Delta Studs, a patented lightweight steel framing system with the same geometric profile as conventional steel stud C-channels," says Ballard. "A moisture-cured adhesive is then used to glue expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam between the Delta Studs. The EPS foam has a fire retardant built into its cellular structure and also includes a borate treatment to keep pests from nesting in the walls. "TransconSteel panels come in thicknesses of 3-1/2 inches and 5-1/2 inches with light gauge (24 ga.) Delta Studs at either 16 inches or 24 inches on center. We use both 3-1/2- and 5-1/2-inch-thick panels, but lean more towards the 5-1/2-inch-thick panels to create a more satisfying-looking wall with deeper window jambs and increased sound attenuation. "We prefer SIPs with pre-cut openings, which include headers and require accurate door and window measurements to minimize cut-out waste. The alternative is to field-cut openings and deal with the extra waste. Even with precut panels, unforeseen plan changes are accommodated fairly easily. There's nothing that can happen in the field that's unfixable. "When building with steel SIPs, the one thing you can't do is go to a typical home improvement store to purchase anything you might be short of. For example, if you find yourself in need of an additional panel, it could cause a significant construction delay, depending on the location and responsiveness of your supplier. We sometimes order a few extra panels just for backup." PREVIOUS  1 | 2 | 3 | 4  NEXT