Has anyone tried plastic studs?
Last Post 03 Mar 2013 09:34 PM by Liebler. 3 Replies.
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LieblerUser is Offline
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03 Mar 2013 05:31 PM
I'm still planning my "dream house"  and have found http://ecostud.com/product_details.html
A very interesting product that may make a super insulated wall far easier to build.
My exterior will be "thin brick" and I want to use Roxul as the wall insulation. Here is the first pass using Ecostuds, from outside inward:
Thin brick, Ambrico metal substrate, Greenguard DC14 (r1) , Buildrite 3/4" fiberboard (r2), 3" 'Ecostud' with spaces filled with 3" Roxul AFB (about r12), 2x6 16" OC with cavities filled with r23 'comfort bats', 1/2" plywood detailed as air barrier, 3" 'Ecostud' with spaces filled with AFB, 1/2" drywall.  Even with 16" OC framing and using a rather pessimistic 25% framing fraction I calculate a whole wall r of 40+.  The 'Ecostud' 'z' furring with only a 0.090 thickness of PVC dramatically reduces thermal bridging at the stud lines even though the 'studs' are completely aligned.  My build plan would be 2x6 wall framing, on the sub floor, attach outer 'z' channels and fiberboard then erect walls. Once exterior walls are all up, set trusses & get the roofon then add ceiling sheathing to lower chords of trusses & more z furring to hold ceiling drywall install wall insulation, then interior sheathing, windows & doors, seal up and test.  Once it 'passes' the air leakage tests add the interior 'z" furring wiring plumbing etc. and interior partitions.  I sure hope those 'z'  channels are reasonably priced cause it sure sounds interesting & makes center of wall mounted windows almost straightforward.   


AltonUser is Offline
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03 Mar 2013 09:13 PM
Please be aware that the EcoStud is for non-load-bearing walls.  If I remember correctly I saw it at a trade show.

I am waiting on fiberglass structural members for framing.  See http://www.cbs-homes.com/   I would love to get completely away from using wood.
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whirnotUser is Offline
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03 Mar 2013 09:25 PM
I looked at them, and if I read that right, the Z channels are just for holding sheet insulation in place, not for the attachment of other components. I could be wrong though. and as stated they are not for any loads to be applied.

As far as cost they compare them against ICF but no other system. I haven't seen them before but I guess I am skeptical.
LieblerUser is Offline
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03 Mar 2013 09:34 PM
Alton,
Yes all the intended uses I've described are not load bearing all load is carried by the 2x6 in the middle. The Eco Stud seems strongly targeted at masonry & concrete walls & only with plastic foam insulation, I can find no hint that they have been used as I'm proposing.
CBS does appear to have the studs you want but, as far as I can tell, they don't sell them without the rest of the wall.
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