Someone recently praised engineered wall panel systems to me (not SIPs, but engineered wall systems using panels, insulation, and studs). I am new to this type of product. I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of others regarding pros and cons to this approach to walls, floors, and roofs. Here's an example of the product: PATH Home Wall Panel System Thanks for your feedback

mapnerd,

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> There are new building technologies being developed constantly. This is good for the industry and challenges us to make the most efficient buildings possible. Think back to when concrete was developed by the Romans. It was an amazing new breakthrough and changed the way buildings and roads were constructed for thousands of years. It is now 2009 and concrete is still used, but is a primitive material compared to modern day materials.

My company markets foundations, foundation floors and grade beams with-out concrete. Sounds impossible, think again. Try to wrap your head around a new concept. Why do we use concrete in a foundation? To hold up the weight of a house and keep the backfill pressures from caving in the walls. Can any other material do this? YES, there are other materials that can be used that provide huge advantages over concrete. Anyone that builds commercial projects is well aware of the advantages of steel construction. Our Engineer is able to determine the type of steel needed to build any residential or commercial project. When steel stud construction is combined with a material of high insulation properties (EPS) you have a system with all the strength you need, and far superior thermal properties.

By panelizing our system you can create any building exactly to the plans in a fraction of the time it would take to pour a concrete foundation. The Polycore system provides R36 walls with pre-cut and grommeted electrical chases, ready to be finished on the inside an out. The panels are light weight and do not typically require anything more than simple hand tools to build. With a simple installation manual and a clearly labeled map of your project, any contractor can install a foundation or wall system in a matter of hours instead of weeks. How many concrete foundations can be built in one day?

I represent one company and there are hundreds of others with similar technologies. The one thing that we all have in common is developing new building technologies, using better materials to build energy efficient structures. Each company has specific advantages and different costs, but Polycore is committed to supplying energy efficient building systems that don't have to cost the customer any more than using traditional materials. I would encourage everyone to do their research and to actively seek out new building technologies; you may be surprised at what is out there. I hope that this feed gets some reactions, and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

'Go Green or Go Home!"

Your link looks like they used plain studded wall panels, just studs and sheathing. Pros would be the faster erection time, and the panels are built in jigs to keep them straight and built inside to minimize moisture contact.
Cons are no staggered seams in the floor system, lots of extra lumber because of all the panel joints and sometimes the quality isnt there due to factory workers, not carpenters, assembling the components and the need for a crane or teleboom to do the wall set.
I've worked with 3 different brands using this approach for homes and the time savings is great for gc's, but you have to really check things over after its set if you aren't part of the set crew.

Issues I've encountered are incorrectly built panels, poor lumber used in panels, panels slightly out of dimension creating a headache in fitting. And with a panel company set crew have seen the home set to the panels, not the plan.