100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle and Nook. Here are some more excerpts from the chapter on Specification & Properties. 20. Every 10 feet of panel length expands as much a 1/16th inch in moderate temperature differentials. 21. Aluminum faced panels are about 50% lighter and easier to cut than steel faced panels. 22. Steel faced panels have around a 25% better screw holding capacity than Aluminum faced panels. 23. Due to galvanic reaction, Steel fasteners will rust when used with Aluminum faced panels in a marine environment.

Posted By JeffD on 25 Apr 2012 10:57 AM
100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle. Here are some more excerpts from the chapter on Specification & Properties. 20. Every 10 feet of panel length expands as much a 1/16th inch in moderate temperature differentials.

So how much would an EPS steel skinned SIP expand, that sees a 30 degree temperature differential in less than 15 hours???

I gleaned this piece of information from a sheet metal expansion table in a SMACNA manual years ago. I do not have access to one. I would think it would be about the same. If it were more it would be very little more. Thermal expansion as it relates to steel faced panels is generall not a problem. On the other hand aluminum faced SIPs have twice the expansion rate of steel and can be a problem. A 20' Aluminum faced SIP could move 1/4 inch. That is enough to break weather seals and pull out fasteners.

Steel's thermal expansion is about the same as concrete, aluminum is double that of steel

100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle and Nook. Here are some excerpts from the chapter on Design & Engineering.

21. Most door and window manufacturers do not have installation details showing metal construction. One way around this is to frame the opening with a treated wood buck.

22. Deciding on a plumb fascia or square fascia at the roof edge early in the design is very important, because this effects roof panel lengths, the package components, and the amount of panel cutting that will be required.

23. The underside of roof overhangs and porch roofs can be left exposed for a durable and clean looking finish, but keep in mind any exposed fasteners or channels that may need to be covered with trim.

Posted By JeffD on 02 May 2012 07:08 PM
I gleaned this piece of information from a sheet metal expansion table in a SMACNA manual years ago. I do not have access to one. I would think it would be about the same. If it were more it would be very little more. Thermal expansion as it relates to steel faced panels is generall not a problem. On the other hand aluminum faced SIPs have twice the expansion rate of steel and can be a problem. A 20' Aluminum faced SIP could move 1/4 inch. That is enough to break weather seals and pull out fasteners.

All materials have expansion rates but that is why I believe a steel SIP is far better than an aluminum SIP. Wood also expands and contracts with temperatures and humidity. Even window glass moves with temperatures.

100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle and Nook. Here are some excerpts from the chapter on Design & Engineering.

10. Gable roofs are easier and more economical to build than hip roofs.

11. 4 inch to 6 inch thick roof panels can, in most cases, cantilever up to 4 feet without support.

12. Smaller roofs intersecting a main roof should overlay the main roof in most cases unless extensive framing is added.

Lbear, I have seen aluminum skinned SIPs react with steel fasteners and cause them to rust prematurly. This will definately happen in a marine environment.

100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle and Nook. Here are some excerpts from the chapter on Design & Engineering

16. Support of dropped ceilings should be thought out carefully because the familiar bottom chord of the truss is no longer present.

17. Panel homes are very air tight, so thought must be given to indoor air quality in terms of ventilation.

18. Because there are no truss bottom chords, panel wall heights must allow for the thickness of ceiling framing.

19. Because a panel home is 30 to 50% more energy efficient mechanical systems can be down sized accordingly.

Know of any steel sip suppliers/builders in upper midwest? (MN).

Posted By slenzen on 29 Nov 2012 11:28 AM
Know of any steel sip suppliers/builders in upper midwest? (MN).

slenzen;
PermaTherm Inc. ships to the lower 48 and Alaska

thanks, here is my crude prelim design, just starting to investigate pros/cons of various building methods. 

south facing lake lot in MN w/ terrace sloped lot, passive solar design.  Won't be quite that much glass on the south face lakeside, haha.

I see one in upper MW that does steel SIPs but they just add the steel to the osb sip. Wonder why they do that?

The steel sheet acts as a vapor/moisture barrier and improves structural characteristics a bit.

This home currently being built in Land O Lakes, FL. demonstrates siding being applied directly skin used as vapor barrier
r.

100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle or at Smashwords.com. Here's some excerpts from the chapter on Design and Engineering:

34. Roof panels can transmit the sound of heavy rains, so provide acoustical control measures or drop ceilings.
35. Beware of synthetic stucco exterior finish systems because they cannot withstand the expansion and contraction of the panels. Eventually the panel joints will telegraph through the finish and be visible.
36. Panel structures are typically 50% lighter than conventionally built structures, so make sure your foundations reflect this with reduced footer widths.

Posted By JeffD on 04 May 2013 08:16 AM
100+ Tips for Building with Metal SIPs find it on Kindle or at Smashwords.com. Here's some excerpts from the chapter on Design and Engineering:

34. Roof panels can transmit the sound of heavy rains, so provide acoustical control measures or drop ceilings.
35. Beware of synthetic stucco exterior finish systems because they cannot withstand the expansion and contraction of the panels. Eventually the panel joints will telegraph through the finish and be visible.
36. Panel structures are typically 50% lighter than conventionally built structures, so make sure your foundations reflect this with reduced footer widths.

#34 - For my future project I chose the SoundProofing Clips for my Steel SIP roof to decouple the Steel SIP ceiling from the drywall. Still not sure which model I should get but they will decouple the Steel SIP ceiling from the drywall that will be attached below it. It will also allow space to run wiring. The rubber isolator model has great sound decoupling numbers.

#35 - How about where a synthetic stucco vertical wall (ICF) meets the steel SIP roof, how does one detail that area for the transition? You have 2 dissimilar surfaces/materials. Do you just run the stucco up the steel SIP roof and stop?

LBear A self adhering roll membrane I have found does a great job of absorbing the impact of heavy rain. Your solution will help as well. I would use a good quality elastomeric sealant.