jdebree
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New Member
Posts:16
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| 07/12/2008 10:35 AM |
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I'm new on here, and figured this was a good place to get info on our planned house. We are building on 7 acres in upstate SC, and it will be our eventual retirement home. I've designed a main floor of 1200 square feet for our everyday living, but it will have a full walk-out basement, as well as bonus space upstairs. The design is nearly finalized, but i haven't decided on the actual structure yet. As designed, it is 2X6 walls, but I'm entertaining the idea of SIP's or ICF. I will be doing most of the construction myself, depending on time and money factors. So far, I'm planning a Superior Wall basement, but haven't ruled out ICF. I think I would be comfortable working with SIP's, and it will make it easier and faster for a small crew to erect the walls. I'm not as sure I would tackle ICF. My biggest concern with either method would be wiring on the external walls. I know it can be done, and even know how to do it to a cetain extent, but I have a feeling that changes are going to come along as the build progresses, and both these methods are less forgiving than stick. I've heard that there are potential problems with termites tunneling through the foam on ICF to get to wood- any comments? I look forward to learning a lot on this forum, and sharing my project.
J
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James Eggert
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Veteran Member
Posts:1006
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| 07/12/2008 11:56 AM |
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The termite icf question has been discusseed many times on the ICF forum, do a search before making a decision.
As to electrical changes making you believe you want to stay conventional, I also suggest you do some more homework on ALL of the available systems so you purchase what works for you.
You're in the early stages so take your time to evaluate each method of construction, and determine which you can do, which you need help with, and which has to be done by contractors so your decision is based on your needs. Just remember to compare each system to the same point, such as an ICF bld compared to the SIPs installed compared to wood sheathed, tyvek covered, insulated, ready to side. |
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Take Care
Jim
Design/Build/Consulting
"Not So Big" Design Proponent |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Advanced Member
Posts:862
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| 07/15/2008 4:09 PM |
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Posted By jdebree on 07/12/2008 10:35 AM
but i haven't decided on the actual structure yet. As designed, it is 2X6 walls, but I'm entertaining the idea of SIP's or ICF. .
Jdebree;
we just shipped a steel SIP home to an owner/builder in Taylors, SC .....no termite issues with steel SIPs |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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jdebree
Registered Users
New Member
Posts:16
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| 07/15/2008 4:51 PM |
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| I'll have to get more info on steel SIP's (I've heard of them, but that's about it). My termite concern was termites tunneling up through the subterranean foam of ICF's. I know in some areas, you actually have to stop the foam (how?) at the soil surface for a certain distance. That's code, not somebody's say-so. Since our house will be a walk-out basement, I'm a lot less worried about termites from a concrete foundation. Most of the house would be out of reach, or the mud tubes would be obvious. Can a DIY'er work with steel SIP'S? When we first started planning, our FL home was worth $300K, and we were just going to have a house built (cash). When it dropped to $225, I planned on having a shell built, and finishing it myself (I have the skills and tools). Now, we'd be lucky to get $175K, which is about our threshold for having enough money to build, if I do almost ALL of it myself. If it drops much more, are plans are shot, and we'll probably sell the land, and either buy a completed house (with a mortgage) or stay in FL. But I have to keep trying.... |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Advanced Member
Posts:862
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| 07/15/2008 7:32 PM |
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jdbree;
I feel your pain on the equity!
we have had several DIYers successfiully do the panels themselves, we have also done "shell only" and the owners finish out themselves |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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ReadyToRetire
Registered Users
Basic Member
Posts:209
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| 07/15/2008 7:42 PM |
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jdbree,
Check back through some of the existing posts in the SIPs forum. Chris Kavala (and others) have posted pictures and descriptions of SIPs with applied firring strips to which the drywall is then attached. That creates a void where he runs the electric. It looks like a fairly forgiving approach. My first reaction was that it would be more expensive in material and labor than using a cable race behind the molding. But Chris pointed out that the void also helps reduce sound transmission: I was sold because that is one of my requirements.
Good luck,
Larry
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Alton
Registered Users
Basic Member
Posts:339
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| 07/15/2008 7:53 PM |
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| Furring out SIPS sure makes it much easier on the electrician. You can use either wood 2x4's or steel hat channels to fur out the SIPS. |
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Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
334 329-0957 AT&T Cellular |
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jdebree
Registered Users
New Member
Posts:16
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| 07/16/2008 5:32 AM |
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| The firring strips make good sense on the inside. What about the outside of a steel SIP? How do you attach siding? I'm planning HardiPlank. Do you fir the outside as well, or? Seems like the walls would start to get pretty thick. At 1200 square feet, I'm trying to not give up too much interior space, and I'm trying to keep the outside dimensions in multiples of 2' to be efficient with building materials. Chris- I'll PM you later for more detailed info on steel SIP's. |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Advanced Member
Posts:862
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| 07/16/2008 2:24 PM |
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Posted By jdebree on 07/16/2008 5:32 AM
The firring strips make good sense on the inside. What about the outside of a steel SIP? How do you attach siding? I'm planning HardiPlank. Do you fir the outside as well, or? Seems like the walls would start to get pretty thick. At 1200 square feet, I'm trying to not give up too much interior space, and I'm trying to keep the outside dimensions in multiples of 2' to be efficient with building materials. Chris- I'll PM you later for more detailed info on steel SIP's. all wall coverings are screw attachment ---------and approved for .....hardi, vinyl, wire stucco lath
forget the 2ft. increments, it rarely works out and panels are 45-1/2" anyway
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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seaglade
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New Member
Posts:29
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| 07/17/2008 9:33 AM |
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Posted By jdebree on 07/16/2008 5:32 AM
At 1200 square feet, I'm trying to not give up too much interior space
jdebree,
Because I needed to maximizes my interior space to, I used ACTech SIP panels, they are made out of galvanized steel and only 3 inches wide.
I did a couple years worth of research before picking these panels to build my cottage, below is some additional information on these panels. You can find out more at ACTechpanel.com
Their plant is located in Tennessee.
ACTech Structural Insulated Panel Specifications
| Panel Thickness |
3 inches |
| R-value |
R24 |
| Panel Width |
24 inches |
| Panel Length |
50 ft. Maximum |
| Urethane Foam Core |
Non-CFC Class-1 |
| Configuration |
Tongue and Groove |
| Panel Skins |
26 gauge galvanized steel |
| S-shaped Stiffener |
20 gauge steel | |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Advanced Member
Posts:862
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| 07/17/2008 9:40 AM |
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| ACTech uses interior furring strips for wire chase as well |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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Barney Lowe
Registered Users
New Member
Posts:13
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| 09/06/2008 8:09 AM |
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Posted By seaglade on 07/17/2008 9:33 AM
Posted By jdebree on 07/16/2008 5:32 AM
At 1200 square feet, I'm trying to not give up too much interior space jdebree,
Because I needed to maximizes my interior space to, I used ACTech SIP panels, they are made out of galvanized steel and only 3 inches wide.
I did a couple years worth of research before picking these panels to build my cottage, below is some additional information on these panels. You can find out more at ACTechpanel.com
Their plant is located in Tennessee.
ACTech Structural Insulated Panel Specifications
| Panel Thickness |
3 inches |
| R-value |
R24 |
| Panel Width |
24 inches |
| Panel Length |
50 ft. Maximum |
| Urethane Foam Core |
Non-CFC Class-1 |
| Configuration |
Tongue and Groove |
| Panel Skins |
26 gauge galvanized steel |
| S-shaped Stiffener |
20 gauge steel |
are you concerned about your panel warranty now that ACTech is going out of business?
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Alton
Registered Users
Basic Member
Posts:339
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| 09/06/2008 8:33 AM |
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| Can someone confirm whether AC Tech is going out of business? I have not seen anything in writing. |
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Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
334 329-0957 AT&T Cellular |
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SteelSipMan
Registered Users
New Member
Posts:51
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| 09/06/2008 8:43 AM |
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all indications are they are on the way out - stock dropped this year from $8. share to 12 cents , RED Chip stock reporting services indicate they are no longer a viable company and cite income this year is only $500,000. vs. $1.5 mil in expenses, they are not paying their loans. sec filings show CEO paid himself $500,000. in salary.
It appears the rats are getting off the ship! |
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robinnc
Registered Users
Basic Member
Posts:123
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| 09/06/2008 10:51 PM |
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I hope the SEC throws that ^(%&^$^#&^&^* CEO in JAIL......!!
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