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Frequently Asked Questions
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What are SIPs?
STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIPs) are a method of building which replaces conventional stud/insulation/sheathing ("stick") construction. A foam core of rigid insulation is adhered to 7/16" Oriented Strand Board (OSB) facing on both sides with an industrial adhesive. The panel is then laminated under pressure.
The benefits include:
- Energy Savings
PorterSIPs built structures are energy efficient. In a test conducted at Oakridge National Laboratory, wood frame walls were compared to a PorterSIPs constructed home for energy efficiency. The nominal 4" PorterSIP wall has a "R" factor 40% greater than a conventional 2 X 4 wall and 2% greater than a 2 X 6 conventional wall. This is because the PorterSIPs system provides an effective thermal resistance and fewer thermal bridges than the conventional stick frame construction.
A typical savings of 35-40% on heating and cooling costs can be seen by building with PorterSIPs rather than the conventional stick framing system.
- Increased Strength
PorterSIPs construction offers an increased strength over stick or other wood construction. PorterSIPs can act as load bearing walls to place additional floors or ceilings. An added advantage is the OSB anchor base on the inside of the interior wall to attach window coverings and fixtures.
- Quality Engineered
PorterSIPs construction replaces site-built framing with quality controlled factory-built panels. PorterSIPs simplify construction by integrating structure with insulation. PorterSIPs are available in standard blanks or precut at the factory to specific dimensions. Window and door openings are made, headers are fabricated and gable end panels are cut to shape. Precut PorterSIPs are ready to install, with the EPS foam ready to accept connecting splines and sill, top and end plates. Within days of delivery to a building site a PorterSIPs built home can be "dried-in" and ready for the next steps in the construction process.
Panel-built homes are quieter. The same insulation that delivers high R-values also reduces noise infiltration.
Heating and air conditioning costs are reduced by 15% - 40% over the life of the building. The structure of virtually any residential building, roof, floor, as well as walls, can be constructed using Porter SIPs. The extent to which SIPs are used in a building is determined on a case-by-case basis, a process generally involving the owner, architect/designer, and builder. While there are home design plans that have been developed specifically for panel construction, most residential plans must be converted to panel plans.
Source: www.portersips.com
What is "smart siding"?
Louisiana-Pacific Corp., or LP, is a manufacturer and supplier of various building products, and is headquartered in Portland, Ore. LP manufactures SmartSide® products, a technically sophisticated line of treated engineered wood siding and trim products that were milled to more than 484 million square feet in 2003.
SmartSide siding and exterior trim products are designed to resist damage caused by termites and decay fungi. These products are treated with the SmartGuard process, which incorporates a borate-based additive that penetrates and helps protect siding and trim. These products provide the attractive appearance of solid cedar siding, are sold in 16-foot lengths versus the standard 12-foot length and are easily installed.
(Source: Jessica Brooks; Builder & Developer Magazine; June 2004 issue)
SmartSide siding is warranted not to split, warp, check, delaminate or buckle, and is less brittle than fiber cement. The limited warranty features an initial seven year 100% labor and materials replacement period and a total of thirty years of transferable warranty coverage. Being lighter than fiber cement, SmartSide siding is easier to install, and can be cut with regular wood cutting tools rather than carbide or diamond tipped blades needed for fiber cement. SmartSide siding comes in a tan primer color and can be painted any color desired.
What is Impasse Termite treatment? Why is it better than soil treatment?
IMPASSE Termite Blocker ™ is a unique termite pre-treatment developed by Syngenta, Professional Products Division, a world-leading agribusiness that has provided traditional termite treatments for decades to pest management professionals. The IMPASSE ™ product is a very thin wafer that is installed around each plumbing and pipe utility penetration and bath trap in the home foundation. The wafer is made of a construction-grade polymer with a powerful termiticide "locked in" between the layers. The product will control any termite that tries to chew through the material. In addition, the patented design of the IMPASSE Termite Blocker ™ allows for a tailored fit to the utility penetration, whether rigid or flexible. The product is then completely embedded in the foundation concrete where it remains effective for years. Even as the concrete foundation naturally expands and contracts, termites can't get around or through the IMPASSE Termite Blocker ™.
IMPASSE Termite Blocker ™ is an upgrade to current pre-construction treatments. The long-term effectiveness of liquid termiticides varies. Some last three years, while others last longer. However, they ultimately break down to a point of reduced effectiveness under the home, leaving the gaps around utility penetrations and the bath trap areas unprotected highways for termites to enter. IMPASSE ™ protects these previously vulnerable areas years after the primary liquid treatment is no longer effective.
IMPASSE Termite Blocker ™ is installed in the foundation before the concrete is poured, and the product is embedded in the concrete. Perimeter termite treatment is additionally applied after the completion of the home.
What is "integrity gasket"?
Integrity ™ Gasket is a formulated gasket that provides a uniform layer between the framing members and surface materials to reduce impact sound transmission through floors and walls, reduce floor vibration, and reduce squeaks. The Integrity Gasket is a closed-cell PVC material with a strong adhesive on the bottom and a smooth, durable Mylar top.
(Source: www.integritygasket.com)
The gasket is placed on top of each floor joist before the sub-flooring is installed. Then, as the sub-flooring is screwed into the joists, the gasket creates a flexible but extra tight seal to reduce vibration and virtually eliminate floor squeaks.
What does "R something" mean to insulation?
The "R value" of a material or component measures its thermal Resistance. That is, it is a way to rate how effective the material or component is at stopping the flow of heat through it. The higher the R value, the more Resistance the material provides. For example, a 4 ˝ inch wide SIPs panel, with an R value of 15.2 will provide better insulation - more thermal resistance - than 2x4 dimensional lumber with fiberglass insulation with an R value of 13. Ultimately, this means that is it easier to keep a house cool in the summer and warm in the winter with insulation of R15 than R13 because less heat passes in in the summer or out in the winter. A 6 ˝ inch SIPs panel wall has an R value of 24.7 and can be option in a Derecor Home.
Additionally, SIPs panels do not need 2x dimensional lumber supports every 16 inches, so the insulation stays a constant R15 in the walls rather than dropping to R3 every time a 2x stud would occur in the wall as in typical framing of a home. This makes SIPs panels even more energy efficient.
What does HVAC stand for and what does 14 SEER mean?
HVAC is an acronym for Heating / Ventilation / and Air Conditioning. An HVAC system includes the furnace, air-conditioner, and all the duct work that provides air-flow throughout the house. In the past few years, there have been many advances in HVAC technology.
There are now new filter systems that are placed alongside the actual furnace and A/C units rather than in air returns throughout the house. These new systems need to be replaced every two years instead of every four-six months as recommended for the old-style filters.
Another new innovation for HVAC systems is a "Thermidistat" - a monitoring device that monitors the humidity level in the home in addition to the temperature. Used in conjunction with a variable speed air-conditioner, the thermidistat turns on the A/C unit at low speed to draw out moisture as the humidity level rises. Then, it kicks it up to regular speed to cool the air. The result is that cooling dry air is both more comfortable, and more energy efficient.
Since homes are being built much tighter, and SIPs homes are extremely air-tight, ventilation has taken on new importance. All EnergyStar and SIPs homes have built-in fresh air vents - usually placed in the soffits or peaks of the house. These vents introduce fresh air into the air-return ducts so that the air being brought in from the outside is filtered through the system before being distributed throughout the house.
SEER is an acronym for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a calculated measurement of efficiency for air-conditioners. The total cooling output of an air conditioner during its normal annual usage period for cooling (in Btu/h) is divided by the total electric energy input during the same period, (in watt-hours). Thus, the higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the air-conditioner because it is providing more cooling output for less energy input.
What is an in-stud recessed dryer vent?
A new innovation, long over-due, is a simple metal dryer vent box that is installed in the utility room / area before sheetrock is hung. By placing the vent box between the walls studs, ample room is provided for the clothes dryer vent hose to be recessed into the wall. The result is that the clothes dryer can now be placed against the wall, rather than having to set 6 - 10 inches into the utility room. The vent box can be textured and painted to match the surrounding wall.
Why should we consider a light dimming system?
Though many people don't think about lighting options in their home, installing even simple lighting controls can significantly enhance the enjoyment homeowners find in their homes. From the simplest wireless lighting control system, RadioRA, from Lutron to a complete programmed system of lighting control, the products provide the homeowner with flexibility in any room to suit any activity: entertaining, watching movies, reading, working, and dining. Light intensity can be set to a "typical" level, and then increased or decreased at the touch of the switch. They will then reset to the original level when turned back on. No three way bulbs are needed with only three levels of intensity. Lights can be raised or lowered to any level and then allow a slow fade-to-off.
Lighting control products provide security in the home. For instance, a dim pathway of light can be programmed to allow parents to safely walk to a baby's room without turning bright lights on that will wake the children, or to walk to the bathroom without disturbing others. The lighting control system can also provide a remote control so that lights can be turned on from the car and no one has to enter a completely dark house.
There is also significant energy savings that can be provided by dimmers. According to the Lutron Corporation, dimming lights an average of 50 % will cut electricity usage for the lights 40%, and will make bulbs last 20 times longer.
