Banging noises from expansion? - GreenBuildingTalk - GreenBuildingTalk - Green Building Forums on Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF), Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), Radiant Heating, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Power, Green Construction Projects - Green Building Forums - General Forum

Unanswered Active Topics

Forums Search Members

Banging noises from expansion?

Last Post 06 Apr 2015 08:55 AM by dpj012. 7 Replies.

Sort:

	Prev Next
You are not authorized to post a reply.

Author

Messages

dpj012

New Member

Posts:7

02 Apr 2015 08:29 PM
I moved into a SIP constructed house last summer and have noticed that there a lot of noises from the roof or second story. It is a 3 story, open floor plan from the living area to the roof with a basement below the living area level. The house is 5 years old. The sounds are like banging and can be quite loud. It doesn't seem to be dependent on the time of day or temp outside it has done it during the winter as well as the summer. Is this a normal side effect of the construction? Should I be concerned?

Alton

Veteran Member

Posts:2164

02 Apr 2015 10:37 PM
Did the SIPs have OSB skins?

Residential Designer & Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period . 334 826-3979

dpj012

New Member

Posts:7

Lbear

Veteran Member

Posts:2740
Avatar

03 Apr 2015 01:58 PM
Are the SIP cores EPS/polystyrene or Polyurethane? What company built and installed them? Sounds like it could be "SIP creep" which is something that happens when SIPs expand/contract and they create a loud sound. This is mainly just annoying and not indicative of any structural problem. A wood frame home expands and contracts quite a bit. Popping and creaking sounds and readily heared in most wood frame homes especially if there is a quick temperature change. Some are louder than others. SIPs in and of themselves have a low STC sound rating. In other words, they are not that sound proof and actually transmit certain sound levels very easily. The STC rating on a SIP is around STC 23 (similar to a dual pane window rating). Typically, DECOUPLED hat channels can be used along with 5/8" or 1/2" sheet rock/drywall. The decoupled hat channels work the best in stopping sound and are used in sound proof wall assemblies. Sounds are basically vibrations and decoupling the SIP stops the transmission of those vibrations. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being very loud. How loud are the sounds and is it mainly the walls or roof?

dpj012

New Member

Posts:7

03 Apr 2015 03:43 PM
Thanks for your replies, the SIPs are styrofoam/polysterene sandwiched in OSB on the roof and exterior walls. The noises vary from loud bangs similar to hammering but with no rhythm, on the wall to softer as if someone was bumping into the wall. Since the weather outside has warmed up in the last day or two they have dissipated a bit.

Lbear

Veteran Member

Posts:2740
Avatar

03 Apr 2015 04:07 PM
Posted By dpj012 on 03 Apr 2015 03:43 PM Thanks for your replies, the SIPs are styrofoam/polysterene sandwiched in OSB on the roof and exterior walls. The noises vary from loud bangs similar to hammering but with no rhythm, on the wall to softer as if someone was bumping into the wall. Since the weather outside has warmed up in the last day or two they have dissipated a bit. Since they are EPS SIPs then I assume they are probably Premier SIPs? How long do the sounds last for? Is it a momentary thing or does it do it all day long? Did they use any type of sound attenuation in the walls or roof? (e.g., decoupling of SIP with clips and hat channels, 5/8" drywall, etc?) It's best to answer each question posed directly so we can get a better understanding and help you address your problem.

dpj012

New Member

Posts:7

06 Apr 2015 08:32 AM
Posted By Lbear on 03 Apr 2015 04:07 PM Posted By dpj012 on 03 Apr 2015 03:43 PM Thanks for your replies, the SIPs are styrofoam/polysterene sandwiched in OSB on the roof and exterior walls. The noises vary from loud bangs similar to hammering but with no rhythm, on the wall to softer as if someone was bumping into the wall. Since the weather outside has warmed up in the last day or two they have dissipated a bit. Since they are EPS SIPs then I assume they are probably Premier SIPs? Not sure, See attached picture of the home construction. How long do the sounds last for? Is it a momentary thing or does it do it all day long? Really intermittent, sometimes all day long and at night and some days I don't hear them at all. Did they use any type of sound attenuation in the walls or roof? (e.g., decoupling of SIP with clips and hat channels, 5/8" drywall, etc?) Don't know about that. It's best to answer each question posed directly so we can get a better understanding and help you address your problem.