Placing the first two panels

Before standing the first two panels, take care of two tasks. With most panel systems, if you're building on a wood floor system you'll need to drill a hole in the bottom plates for each panel. Line up your hole with the pre-cored electrical chase that runs vertically within the foam core. This allows you to fish wires up through the floor system and into the panels, once the walls are all placed. (See "Wiring" section for how-to details, including for building on slabs.)

Placing a large wall panel with crane. Bottom plate needs caulk before panel is place.

(Photo courtesy of Precision Panel)

Next, most manufacturers specify that you need to apply an adhesive caulk on the top and both sides of the bottom plate. (The adhesive must be compatible with foam; many adhesives will eat into foam.) Be sure to sweep the deck and plate clean before you apply the adhesive.

Then locate both panels for one corner. In the end of each corner panel where foam has been recessed to accommodate a 2x end plate, apply adhesive to the edges, slip the 2x into place and fasten it off.

At corners, one bottom plate is held back from the other enough for the panel facing to slip down between them.

Pick the panel that runs flush to the outside edge of the floor, tilt it up in the corner and slip it down onto the bottom plate. Make sure both facings are fully seated and in contact with the floor deck. With a six-foot level, check the panel for plumb both in to out and left to right. Then fasten it to the bottom plate, with one person checking for level while the other nails off the bottom facings, both inside and out.

Repeat the process for the other corner panel: drill for electrical and apply adhesive both on the bottom plate as well as a large bead to the facing of the corner panel already in place, where the two panels will join. Put the vertical end plate in place, stand the second corner panel up, snug it up to the first panel, level it, then fasten it off while still checking for level in-out and left-right.

At corners, one bottom plate is held back from the other enough for the panel facing to slip down between them.

Last, using screw fasteners that are two inches longer than the panel width, hammer a screw through the two facings, recheck for level, then screw it into the end plate of the other corner panel. Make sure the screws draw the panels tightly together; you shouldn't be able to see any daylight through the joint. The long screws are usually placed on two-foot center; check your manufacturer's literature for this and any other special details.

Take lots of time plumbing and attaching these two first panels.

Comments:
Al Cobb- Cobb & Associates
Phone: 304-728-2622
Email: alcobb@ix.netcom.com
When erecting the first corner panels , or any corner panels, I use the following technique:

1. Before standing the first panel, I attach the pc. of dimensional lumber which will fit into the vertical edge of the second panel onto the interior skin of the first panel.
2. When positioning the second panel, the preinstalled stud on your first panel ensures perfect alignment. In addition, I feel a superior joint in both terms of strength and air sealing is achieved. The large screws act only as insurance instead of the means by which you pull the panels together.
3. The other technique I use at all corners is to cross drill with a 1-1/2" bit in order to allow easy access when pulling wires.