SIP home building panels are super energy efficient. I want to begin manufacturing them here in Alaska. These panels are comprised of two sheets of OSB with a layer of styrofoam in the middle. There is a certain type of glue that is used to bond the OSB to the styrofoam. Can you find out what kind of glue they use? It will knock me dead if you can find out this little fact for me... (I don't know the answer to this, by the way....)

Thanks!!!!

Kaitlin,

Styrofoam is a trademark of Dow Chemical Company for extruded polystyrene foam.  (Reference Wikipedia)  Most SIPs contain expanded instead of extruded polystyrene.

Rhom and Haas's Morad M-600 it is a moisture cured urethane adhesive. You need to talk to a rep to get the exact product for your purposes.

Yes, the glue is very specialized. I'm pretty sure there are different formulations of the same glue for different climate conditions. I used to work in a manufacturing plant in Florida. It's very hot and humid down here most of the time and the plant wasn't climate controlled. So, because the glue is moisture cured, they had a summer formula and a winter forumla so the glue wouldn't set up before they had a chance to press them.

ps: By the way, if anyone is wondering, JeffD and I are brothers who are both graduate architects and have formed our own company focusing on building design with metal SIPs.

SimonD,

I was wondering if JeffD and SimonD were the same person using two aliases.   Where did you and your brother study architecture?

Simon, thank you for the info on Metecno's SIPs.  What a surprise it was to discover they are being using in Auburn AL.

Good luck to you and your brother with your building design company.  Hang in there til next year and the economy should pick up.

Alton;

I shared an office with Simon and can vouch that they are 2 seperate people, but look the same.

Alton,

We both went to University of Florida and graduated in '92. Thanks for the words of encouragement. This is my 5th year in business for myself, and up until last November plenty of work was coming in. When I came out of college in '92 there was a recession going on, so I couldn't find work in an architects office where I should of been. So, I ended up as a draftsman in a metal panel manufacturing plant (Structall Building Systems) instead. Actually, if it wasn't for the recession back then, I probably wouldn't know anything about panels now. Recessions can be positive in that they force people to branch out and look for new avenues and ways of doing things. So, I think this recession will be good for this industry if one can get through it intact. Yes, worked with Chris K. and shared an office and he is refering to the fact that my brother and I are twins.

Yes, well I'm still waiting for my greenbuildingtalk medal for bringing Simon and his brother to the forum! :)

I guess they don't have one of those sign-up-a-friend bonuses? Jamie?