Pi
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 08/26/2007 3:05 AM |
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Hello all...
We are building a two-story house on slab, and the strongest winds I've ever seen here (eastern-central Virginia) was gusts up to 70pmh during Isabel. We plan to use some sort of synthetic stucco on the exterior (perhaps permacrete or monocrete).
If we go with SIPs (still pondering the ICF route...), I think I have decided on steel SIPS. I am interested in the highest R-value I can get from any given manufacturer.
After looking around, it seems that these are my choices for steel sips (I am opposed to OSB):
LINK
LINK
LINK
LINK
Are there others that should be in this list?
Any thoughts on these? Any preference for one over the other?
Anything I should know?
Thermasteel has an advantage because they are only a few hours away. Still, I want to make the best choice, not the cheapest.
Kama 11.25 panel at R-45 seems appealing.
Thanks for the advice...
Pi
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bobcaygeonjon
Registered Users
Posts:6
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| 08/26/2007 12:08 PM |
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Hi Pi,
I am also building a two - storey house on slab and am also pondering between ICF and SIP's but I am leaning more towards SIP's because they just look easier. But I was unaware thet you could buy steel SIP's. I was just curious about why you are so unapposed to OSB. All the info I have read say that they are fine.
Thanks |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/26/2007 5:07 PM |
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PI;
The only true SIP on you list is Actech, but you won't like the price, they only make 3" thick x 2ft. wide
The best product for the money is thru link
I wouldn't advise any synthetic directly to steel , that is one mistake I made on my own home. Conventional stucco is still the best bet
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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Pi
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 08/26/2007 8:01 PM |
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Hello Bob. I don't like what happens to OSB when it gets wet. I hear it's batter now than it used to be, but still, between that and the bug issue, I prefer to avoid them.
Chris, the problem is that SipDepot doesn't appear to manufacture the panels they sell. And, without knowing the manufacturer, I can't research them and the general popularity or dissatisfaction of their product. That SipDepot doesn't mention it on their site makes me suspect. What truth might they be hiding? As the old saying goes, daylight is the best disinfectant...
Yes, I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist. :)
Pi |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/26/2007 8:43 PM |
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I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist too , which make me wonder why you hide behind PI?
But, if you want to investigate their panels try SIPbLOC |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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Pi
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 08/26/2007 9:10 PM |
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Too funny. No hiding here - that's my name.
I'll check out SIPbLOC and see how it goes.
Are you affiliated with SipDepot? |
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Pi
Registered Users
Posts:13
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| 08/26/2007 9:43 PM |
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Chris, I went to the MetalsUsa site, and didn't find anything about SIPbLOC. I did find a page on Laminated Roof Ceilings, though. Am I on the wrong site?
Thanks...
Pi
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/27/2007 8:49 AM |
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PI;
Yes, I am affiliated with Sip Depot, if you search the net you will find references to SIPbLOC, which is distributed thru a network of dealers with exclusive agreements.
SipDepot also handles other steel panels, with exclusive agreements and basically the factories do NOT want to deal with the one time do-it yourselfers because they are a pain in the ___ , the mfgs. have intentionally seperated themselves for that reason and left that part of the business to their distributors.
Trust me when I tell you I have been in the metal panel business for 15 years and I am always looking for the next best thing coming down the pike
Now just because a company is a reseller doesn't mean that they are not experts in the field or that they can't give you a competitive price. If you don't give some one a chance to bid on you project you have cut off your nose to spite your face |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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slenzen
Registered Users
Posts:163
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| 08/27/2007 4:18 PM |
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| Are there distributors/dealers in Minnesota or nearby? |
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chuck07
Registered Users
Posts:31
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| 08/27/2007 9:58 PM |
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Pi,
Another steel panel maker I've ran across is structall. They have been around the longest of any steel manufacturers I've seen, however they prefer to only sell their kits. It appears they have the original patents (in 1988 and 1990) for the interlocking steel panels. I like the concept of the steel panels but the manufacturers/distributors make me nervous so I may go with the OSB panels and just be extra careful how I do the foundation, drainage and termite treatment. I have found several OSB panel manufacturers that I'm comfortable with and to me that is most important given the investment involved.
Two other steel panel web sites I've seen are steelsip.com (FL) and sipsupply.com (GA), but I really don't know anything about them. Whoever you go with I would check out carefully. Sometimes all the web sites and company names seem like a shell game but their is a lot you can find out between checking who owns the website (www.betterwhois.com) and how long the company has been around and who owns (the state division of corporations, www.sunbiz.org in FL).
Good luck. If you go with the steel please post your experience.
-Chuck
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/28/2007 7:53 AM |
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Chuck;
My own house was built with Structall panels, then my office was built with SIPbLOC. panels
Structall had quality control issues, can't make deliveries as promised and are just impossible to deal with.
SIPbLOC panels have stopped production of steel panels and only sell aluminum now for the patio markets
LINK, Sipsupply., link, link, link and link are all re - sellers of steel panels and in many cases the manufacurers will not sell direct to the consumer. You must go to the dealer.
People are not put out when they purchase a car and the factory does not deal direct with them.
Panel Dealers offer the expertise of installation and experience that the factory does not have. |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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jmagill
Registered Users
Posts:91
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| 08/28/2007 8:58 AM |
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"People are not put out when they purchase a car and the factory does not deal direct with them.
Panel Dealers offer the expertise of installation and experience that the factory does not have."
I was interested in these panels. My problem as a home owner is "information" I have looked high and low and can not find the information that I want to know and study. Connection details, wiring and plumbing details, etc.
All other SIP and ICF products have the informayion readily available on the web. I live in a home that we had built with OSB SIPS. I was able to do all the research I wanted before I decided on a product.
I am about to build a new home and the information I want and need is just not there with the SIPBloc product. |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/28/2007 4:48 PM |
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jmagill;
The detail file is too big to up load on to this site if you send me your email address I'll send you any steel sip details you want
link |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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Bill Chaleff
Registered Users
Posts:273
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| 08/29/2007 6:06 PM |
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Chris ~
What about load/span tables and other engineering values? |
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jmagill
Registered Users
Posts:91
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| 08/29/2007 6:10 PM |
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| Also, how is electrical run? In the panel? Can you hang a floor on them? How would you do that? |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/29/2007 6:20 PM |
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Bill;
Enginering data, span charts, impact & wind cycling tests, rack & shear tests, wind uplift test are available but would not want to give to a novice to order their own panel sizes as I have seen that as being catastrophic in the past and have been involved in replacing panels that were grossly over spanned and failed
But I know you do not fall into that category and would be happy to e mail the files to you if you give me an e mail address
link
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/29/2007 6:29 PM |
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jmagill
Steel hi-hat furring is attached to the inside skin to create a wire chase
Yes, we use dietrich's Trade Ready floor system, a receiver track with integral clips is stitch screwed to the skin then joists are attached to the clips we have personally clear spanned 26ft with 14" joists @19.2" oc , I know they have greater spans at closer spacings
a customer of mine took some photos as the joists were installed in this not-so-typical sips home
link |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/29/2007 6:44 PM |
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the following link shows interior furring and a loft with joist in this commercial application
link |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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slenzen
Registered Users
Posts:163
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| 08/29/2007 11:20 PM |
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| Is the upcoming MetalCon show in vegas the show to go to for more info on these systems? I think I'm going to go and check it out. |
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cmkavala
Registered Users
Posts:807
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| 08/30/2007 7:17 AM |
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slenzen
my wife & I are also going to MetalCon on the 5th , it is a greatway to write off a business trip.
I have been to them before and you will find some great steel products that go hand in hand with steel sytems. Some panel sytems you will find are for cladding only and have little structural capabilities |
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Chris Kavala
chris@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS |
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