Any SIP installers using 15# tar paper instead of Tyvek (or any other homewrap)? 

If you do, let me know what you know about speeding up the installation.

I'm rapidly approaching my first SIP build (in September) and want to know what would keep me from assembling the wall on the deck, applying the tar paper, then tipping the wall up with my telehandler?  You know, just like I stick frame a wall now.  It's an easy box house.  8' walls, 30'x32', 2 story.  Floor system rests on top of the SIPs.

All comments will be appreciated... well, let me read them first I guess.

Ben in Iowa

Ben;

I have used 15# felt over OSB sips, what speeds the process up is a pnuematic felt cap gun

What you described sound dangerous, depending on how far you extend your equipment, it might fall over due to the weight.

Many of the reasons we switched to steel sips a long time ago, the skin is the vapor barrier, we balloon frame the exterior 2 story walls and hang floor framing from skin

Chris,
Thanks for the reply, I like the idea of a the cap gun.   That would hold out my siding a little more too, giving me at least the possiblity for a little air movement behind my panels.

Will these SIPs be heavier than a 2x6 framed wall?  I'm confident the machine can handle the weight of a 30' long, 8' tall 2x6 wall (I've stood a number of them this way.)  I was more concerned that the SIP panels themselves might be the weak link as there's only a single top plate holding it all together, and I won't have the inside splines nailed off until the wall is standing.  If I can do it this way, I can install all my felt with the wall laying down.

I've already got the panels ordered from R-Control, but have you seen this method using your steel sips?

Thanks,
Ben

I also recommend felt(tar) paper and sealing the exterior corners and all opening(doors & windows) edges with Ice & Water Shield.

SIP walls are heavy. They have OSB on two sides. If you figure 16" spacing you have one 2 X per 16". If you ripped a 2 X to half inch, you would have 3 widths or 12" wirth of wood per 16" of extra OSB. So your panels could run a good 25% heavier plus the styrofoam and less the headers that are not needed as a rough number.