SciGuy
New Member
Posts:33
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| 19 Jan 2011 06:15 PM |
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My wife and I are very interested in building a zero energy or near zero energy home utilizing the SABS construction process as created by Strata. Their web site shows a few projects but we were hoping that there are many more underway.
Have any of you had experience with the process or know others that have? I'd love to get some good feedback on the
system. It looks to be very materials as well as energy efficient but lacks for a long track record.
Thanks for any informed replies,
Hugh
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glenfotre
New Member
Posts:75
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| 19 Jan 2011 07:11 PM |
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Hugh,
I have visited their 'demo' cottage and seen their testing facility in the Phoenix area. It does, indeed, appear to be a great system and as an engineer in my former life, it all makes sense to me. The unfortunately thing about SABS and several of the other 'great looking' systems, is that they all seem to want to direct their production to third world countries rather than building here in the good ole USA to help us reduce our energy usage. Not all of them are like that, but I'd guess that their MBA's tell them that they can make more money that way. I also have an MBA and I think their philosophy stinks!
What they need is a good marketing department to get the product out onto the street so that your questions and mine are answered! |
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Matt G
New Member
Posts:93
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| 19 Jan 2011 07:34 PM |
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SciGuy - you need to do some searching around here at GreenBuildingTalk. I believe there was a thread not too long ago that you definitely need to read before going further with SABS. |
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SciGuy
New Member
Posts:33
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| 20 Jan 2011 05:48 AM |
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Posted By Matt G on 19 Jan 2011 07:34 PM
SciGuy - you need to do some searching around here at GreenBuildingTalk. I believe there was a thread not too long ago that you definitely need to read before going further with SABS.
Matt, I did read that one and it left me a bit apprehensive but have to say that the number of judgments against the general contractor involved was appalling and should have been a red flag for all who were involved. One thing about being able to research with the internet now days is that can almost always find at least one horror story about any product/system. You'd never buy anything after checking the negative Amazon reviews on products unless you tempered them by looking at the positive ones as well. We're checking to see if there are a good number of positives that just haven't shown up yet. On another note I emailed Garret M. a couple of weeks ago but did not receive a reply. Perhaps he is no longer with the firm. Still digging, Hugh |
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SciGuy
New Member
Posts:33
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| 20 Jan 2011 06:35 AM |
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Posted By glenfotre on 19 Jan 2011 07:11 PM
Hugh,
I have visited their 'demo' cottage and seen their testing facility in the Phoenix area. It does, indeed, appear to be a great system and as an engineer in my former life, it all makes sense to me. The unfortunately thing about SABS and several of the other 'great looking' systems, is that they all seem to want to direct their production to third world countries rather than building here in the good ole USA to help us reduce our energy usage. Not all of them are like that, but I'd guess that their MBA's tell them that they can make more money that way. I also have an MBA and I think their philosophy stinks!
What they need is a good marketing department to get the product out onto the street so that your questions and mine are answered!
I find the system rather elegant in terms of minimal materials, minimal waste, maximal insulation. Hope its not too good to be true. Hugh |
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Jelly
Veteran Member
Posts:1017
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| 20 Jan 2011 08:39 AM |
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It may be too good to be true, maybe not - hard to tell. It's another example of someone coming up with a wonderful idea then being closed and secretive about the details simply because they want it to be proprietary (they want to get rich that way). If it were truly revolutionary I think the technology should be more open. |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2157
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| 20 Jan 2011 09:31 AM |
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Hugh,
You should be talking to Greg unless you have structural questions. Gerret Martin is your contact for structural. From my experience, you will get a more rapid response if you call and ask for Greg. Get the phone number from their web site. After talking to Greg, then e-mail him for followup questions.
I have used a lot of different systems over the years but I have to say I really like SABS.
Be aware StrataUS will ask you to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before they share much info with you.
I have not used SABS yet but I have seen it and liked what I saw. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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slenzen
Basic Member
Posts:434
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| 20 Jan 2011 10:08 AM |
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Posted By Jelly on 20 Jan 2011 08:39 AM
It may be too good to be true, maybe not - hard to tell. It's another example of someone coming up with a wonderful idea then being closed and secretive about the details simply because they want it to be proprietary (they want to get rich that way). If it were truly revolutionary I think the technology should be more open.
Except if there were no incentive to innovate we'd still be living in caves. Is going to third world more about economics or less regulation? Look at the shotcrete panel systems that are already prevalent in foreign countries, (latin Am, middle east) but aren't gaining any traction here in the US? I think the bar is much lower in many countries as they see their homes crumble in earthquakes and hurricanes, and general substandard building practices. Also, getting old dogs to do new tricks is pretty tough here in the states. ICF and SIP has done a great job in forming associations to educate builders/public, something that shotcrete panel and SABS aren't doing. |
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buck3647
New Member
Posts:85
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| 20 Jan 2011 11:38 AM |
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My company builds monolithic concrete structures utilizing closed cell foam on the exterior of the entire structure. Just doing these two steps increases the energy efficiency of a structure by 40%, eliminating air leaks and super insulation. Additionally these structures are indestructible and for those in Tropical storm areas saves them on homeowners insurance premiums.
By adding alternative energy systems these structures become off the grid capable. Visit www.safedomes.com to see the completed dome in Inverness, Florida
Unfortunately Florida has classified sink water as black water or this dome would have had a compost toilet system installed
D Pressler |
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SciGuy
New Member
Posts:33
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| 20 Jan 2011 01:15 PM |
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Posted By buck3647 on 20 Jan 2011 11:38 AM
My company builds monolithic concrete structures utilizing closed cell foam on the exterior of the entire structure. Just doing these two steps increases the energy efficiency of a structure by 40%, eliminating air leaks and super insulation. Additionally these structures are indestructible and for those in Tropical storm areas saves them on homeowners insurance premiums.
By adding alternative energy systems these structures become off the grid capable. Visit www.safedomes.com to see the completed dome in Inverness, Florida
Unfortunately Florida has classified sink water as black water or this dome would have had a compost toilet system installed
D Pressler
D
They look very interesting and efficient. I'll have to say after living in a geodesic dome home of our own construction for the last 30 years my wife and I are ready to return to a rectilinear abode.
Thanks for the link.
Hugh
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buck3647
New Member
Posts:85
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| 20 Jan 2011 01:43 PM |
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If you notice I said monolithic concrete structures, domes are just one style it being the strongest but a conventional looking home can be constructed monolithically. Currently exploring the use of icf with vaulted concrete roof as used in Europe with spray foam coating.
David Pressler |
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zehboss
Basic Member
Posts:216
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| 12 Feb 2011 02:37 PM |
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I had never heard of SABS before, but I built a home out of polystyrene with fiber reinforced surface bond cement on the walls back in 2006. It was a zero energy home in Park City UT. It was on the National Solar Tour in 2007. I am a materials engineer and did the preliminary design work in 1982 for the structure, the information was public domain then. Polystyrene is not the least expensive way to build a zero energy home. I have progressed to greener and more sustainable alternatives since that time.
Brian
http://www.zehtalk.com/ |
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