Reelgator,
Just stumbled on this site/thread and wanted to provide you with up to date and accurate information in regard to Platinum Advanced Technologies panelized wall products. Platinum has come a long way in the last couple of years in developing our Ultimate Panel (which is the topic of discussion here) and the recently introduced Performance Panel.
Reelgator;
Yes I have seen their product first hand and personally know their founder Fred Solomon.
Platinum is not a true SIP as I know them ... their product is a prefab steel stud wall panel with injected urethane, is slow to assemble and they have not worked out the roof panels yet they have been using wood or steel trusses.
Our Ultimate panels do require joining straps between panels but I don’t think it would be fair to describe the assembly as slow. As with any new construction practice or product, experience improves efficiency. Feedback from subcontractors that have actually worked with Platinum Panels is very positive in regards to speed of construction and easy on-site modifications. Exterior walls are installed at an average rate of 4 linear feet in 8 minutes.
We have in fact supplied multiple builders with roof panels LINK. Just as in the case of a traditional SIP panels, with the absence of trusses, designers must be creative in providing support for the roof panels from interior walls and beams. But in truth, most have opted for conventional roof framing or trusses.
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Tim;
It is not a SIP because the skin offers no structural value to the component, the skin is a loose fiberglass cloth used to kee the PU from sticking to forms while beiing injected into the studs.
It's strange that builders will forget about g-90 galvanized truss strap, clips , etc. exposed to salt environments in conventional construction. But get concerned about galvalume skins ( a better alloy) ?
Most quality metal roofs used near salt water are galvalume for corrosion resistance. And the panells usually have a cladding over them anyway
Platinum is slow to assemble because of the mutiple flat connection splines and screws @ every slpice.
At a recent demonstration in Bradenton another builder asked about the direct application of cemnt stucco to the fiberglass mat, but the rep could not site an approval for doing it that way?
I think they are still in the R&D phase on the fly |
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The structural fabric used on our Ultimate panels along with the closed-cell polyurethane foam, combine to form a composite. The mat is permeated with foam in a mold that, along with the support of light gauge galvanized steel studs, provides a panel that is structural. In fact, the structural properties listed on the FDCA Florida Product Approval website LINK are quite impressive. The Ultimate Panel is large missile impact resistant (9 lbs - 2” x 4” traveling at 50’/sec). This test can be viewed HERE.
Corrosion is always a concern in coastal areas and most coastal building jurisdictions require a galvanized steel coating of G90. It is also important to not join dissimilar metals (join straps and screws). Platinum provides G90 in areas that require such. And like Chris stated in another post, the panels are covered and not directly exposed to the elements.
Direct application of stucco by a competent stucco subcontractor in conjunction with a bonding agent has been applied with apparent success (1 ½ years) but we are not prepared to recommend this application with certainty. We are not stucco experts and recommend consulting a reputable stucco subcontractor.
If you look at the day 18 picture you will see that they have added flat strap "X" bracing ......... proof positive they are not even structural in themselves
The website and company that is referred to in these pictures has never had an affiliation with Platinum, although we do know of this project. The product pictured is a predecessor to the Platinum product of today. A prototype if you will, that was not manufactured by Platinum Advanced Technologies. Recent jobsite photos of our panels can be viewed HERE.
There are many capable products and systems in the market today but we do have distinct advantages over most : Closed-cell polyurethane has a higher R Value per inch, fast and easy installation, increased strength (buildings have been engineered with our products to withstand 150+ MPH winds), absence of wood to fuel fires, decay resistant from mold and insects, cleaner/healthier indoor air quality, more straight and true walls, customization of each project (window and door openings framed, electrical boxes and conduit installed), and cost competitive to all comparative building components or systems.
There are many projects in the coming weeks around the Central Florida area that will be using our panels and I would be glad to talk with you directly on a site and address any concerns you might still have.
Bob
www.platinumadvanced.com
[email protected]
727-209-3134