My family and I are in the design and budgeting phase of building, and have several questions that we would like some input on. Don’t take this wrong, but I want energy efficiency for costs savings sake. If it isn’t cost effective, there is no reason to add it.

 

A little about the house we are planning:

·         2900-3000 square foot main level rancher with full basement with daylight side. (minimum 10 foot ceilings throughout the house).

·         Stick framed attic that is expandable into living space later.

·         East Tennessee area.

·         We plan on stick framing using 2x6 exterior walls. I liked SIPs idea, but there aren’t many distributors in our area making them cost prohibitive. I use OSB for strength on the exterior.

·         We already use a tankless water heater, low-e windows, energy efficient appliances, high seer heat pump, Foam and batt insulation, and passive attic cooling (which still leads to a very hot attic).

·         Brick and stone exterior.

·          

 

Our questions:

1.    Do you see any improvements to our energy efficiency?

2.    Does anyone recommend a SIPs distributor in our area?

3.    Will a radiant barrier as a housewrap help with costs? Does anyone recommend a supplier?

4.    Does the 2x6 versus 2x4 really make that big of a difference?

5.    Insulation in the walls – Foam and batt or Cellulose or foam? Is there such a thing as cellulose and foam? (I hate fiberglass).

6.    What is required for a sealed attic?

7.    Will a metal roof help with energy costs? Is it worth the extra expense?

I know, a lot of questions, a lot of general questions. I am researching what to do to death, but would like a nudge in the direction of some new ideas.

 

Thank you.

 

Bigmix,
You are in east Tenn., correct?
General Panel has a plant in Johnson City. I buy panels from them regularly.
Their pricing should be as good as it gets for SIPS.
Contact them for further information on SIPS.
Contact me directly if you are interested in how I use their products to produce energy efficient homes at
a reasonable price.

Bigmix, FYI, R-Control has a SIP manufacturing facility in Knoxville.

Good luck with your project!

Does R-Control actually make the panels in Knoxville, or is this just a distributor? Just checking, since I plan to be building 40 miles from there in the next 12-24 months...

Some suggestions,
Drop your ceiling height to 9', you'll reduce your conditioned space by 10% so you'll be more energy efficient and it will cost you less. 10' clgs make residential rooms seem boxy anyways, 9' is plenty for that spacious feeling.

Cut your square footage, why build 3000 when most people spend 90% of their at home awake time in 2 rooms or 500 sq ft? Think about combining useage of rooms, analyze how you currently spend time in your home. A thoughtful floorplan.

You can foam and dense pack cellulose, or foam and do BIBS.

Wes,

Do you use OSB SIPS or metal?

Alton,
So far, only OSB. I am interested in other options, but have not used any other option yet. For some reason, I am having trouble fully jumping into metal. Hope that new composite panel system works out.

Recommend a seamless metal roof. It will last a lifetime. Even a 30 yr shingle roof doesn't last but 10-15 at best its like 60K tires...never got but 30K, maybe.. I am going through the same delima with insulation. Open or closed cell foam seems to be the best thing going for sealing and insulating exterior walls and roof line or SIPs. A problem with SIPs is finding a framer or builder who is familiar with them and will bid the house because no one likes to learn new things and risk loosing money on the project. I paid $3.25 sq ft for framming in N Ala includes setting doors and windows. If you use foam insulation or SIPs you may be able to reduce the size of HVAC system but may need to consider forced ventilation as the house will be very tight. There is alot of info on the web about open and closed cell spray foam. Good Luck, TS

KentT, I'm pretty sure that the R-Control affiliate in Knoxville manufactures SIPs but you can easily find out. You'll find a map, and a link, on the R-Control corporate website.

Bigmix,

I have gotten several quotes for SIPs here in Middle TN, best prices were Fischer SIPs out of Louisville KY and EH Systems out of GA.  General Panel plant in Kingsport area apparently does not create true sips and their plant just south of Memphis has never gotten a quote back to me.  Biggest problem is finding a builder who will work with them.  It apparently creates too much uncertainty on their profit margin..

MJK

The only reference that I can find to EH Systems shows their plant to be in New Braunfels, Texas.  Their web sitte shows that this plant primarily produces SIPS with OSB skins.  They also list fiber cement and MGO skins.  If this company has a plant in GA, please post a link or some contact info so that I can find them.

Wes,

I am looking forward to seeing a SIP with a new type of skin at the General Panel booth during the AIA show in New Orleans May 12-14.  I hear that the skin may be laminate or MGO.  So far, I have not seen SIPS with laminate or MGO at any of the numerious trade shows that I attend each year.

Again, while MGO, Fiber cement, and other newer technologies do have some benefits, and someday may be the product of choice for SIP skins, OSB is still the most widely used for a number of reasons: (1) It's manufactured in the USA, and is readily available (2.) It's available in sizes up to 8' x 24' (3.) It requires no special tools, carpenters are used to working with OSB (Of course if SIPs are not custom fabricated by the manufacturer the contractor will need a saw to cut the panels, foam scoops, hot wire, hot knife, etc to fabricate onsite, or in his fabrication shop) (4) OSB SIP skins meet all structural requirements for any location in the U.S. including areas that are designated as Seismic Design Category F.

There is also a question of the advisability of having the structural skin of a SIP also serve as the finished cladding, particularly on the exterior.

Disclaimer: These comments are intended to convey my understanding, and opinions, in connection with the pros and cons of using OSB as a SIP skin vs MGO and Fiber Cement, only. As far as I'm concerned, OSB vs Metal skin SIPs is another issue altogether.