I am looking for an opinion on SIPS with traditional metal framing embedded in the EPS.
Couple of the examples are
www.elfiwallsystem.com
www.polycorecanada.com

l know that some might not consider them real SIPS but they might work better for my application than the "traditional" SIPSs.

I want to know what your opinions are from performance point of view. Also if anyone had any experiece with these or similar systems.

Thanks,

P.S. I am in MN.

I have no experience but I am looking at these:  http://www.techbuilt.com/products.php based in Cleveland OH.


Kurt

Try www.energypanelsystems.com

Graham,

 

Thanks for the link. 

I have a some issues with that system.
- Thermal Transfer. There is no break between the exterior and interior of the structure the way the studs go in the wall.  There are some other systems that are similar to that system but there is a layer of EPS covering the stud.

- It does not appear to offer a roofing system.  I plan on having vaulted ceilings throughout most of the house and a panel system at this point seems like a good idea.

Kurt

Seems like steel skinned SIPs are making more sense with no thermal transfer thru splines or studs?

I have built with PolyCore before. I think it has its place, however, I'm doing some ICF stuff for now.

That is a 'spline' issue. Many OSB SIPS offer a connection method(spline) that is not thermally conductive.

Thanks for the reply. We actually offer two systems, one with embedded studs which have up to 8 inches of foam on the interior side making a thermal break. This break not only separates the studs, but track as well making for great thermal efficiency. Our second system is a more affordable alternative used with stucco or other siding with an exterior foam applied at installation creating a thermal break. Both systems have been very successful in engineering and permitting as well as overall long term performance. As you will also note, with many of the steel siip panels, there are major engineering issues as well as trouble in the permitting process. I know this first hand as I stared with such a system. Our panels are also fabricated with all openings, beam pockets and posts as per engineering details making installation much easier and faster than standard 4x8 SIPs panels. Again, thanks for the reply, you are right that there is a thermal transfer through our unfinished economical panel but when properly completed, it creates a very efficient system that is very affordable in all residential and commercial applications. If you have more concerns please voice them here and I will reply.
Thanks again,
Graham

the system we use is as thin as 4" thick and has no thermal transfer, panels are 45-1/2" wide and are available for roofs and walls up to 53 feet long

Steel "SIPS" can come in different flavors and few of the examples are posted above. My post was regarding a specific type of wall system that consists of traditional cold form steel framing embedded in EPS( Polycore, Elfi wall system).
What I would like to know is,
1. If anyone had any experience with such system (seems like MDiver is the only one so far)

2. What do the energy efficiency "pros" or anyone else think of the thermal performance of a system like this. What do you think the pros and cons of such system are.

Can you get steel sip panels with an exterior stucco type finish or do they need an exterior finish on top of them?

Orono,
What we use in our panels is cold roll formed steel studs, inbeded in EPS styrofoam, and conforming withe the latest building codes. As I stated earlier, we offer two types of panels, on which finishes out at about R-30. Thanks. Graham

Graham,

On your website it only shows one type. What are the construction details of the other type?

what is your website's address? Thanks.

Who are the manufacturer's of the steel SIPS that you work with? Thanks..

I use a company in BC, Canada, called
plastiFab,
phone 1 88 THINK EPS

I was looking at the PolyCore site and saw that they're pitching steel-reinforced polystyrene foundation systems. Concrete footings are all you have to pour - the rest is poly planking with steel studs topped off by OSB. I'm in TX, so it might not be cost-effective from a shipping perspective, but I am curious if this really works and is as stable as a slab. Anyone have any experience with his kinda thing? It'd definitely be nice to just snap my foundation into place myself as opposed to asking a concrete crew to have all the fun.

Thanks much for any advice!

Josh

Ergo,

if you need to skin it .....then it is not a SIP , it is a WALL, you have many good systems , but wish you would call them by their proper name as you are mis-informing and confusing many rookies that visit this site.

At best polycore and elfi are a panelized wall system