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• Environmental-Friendly Homes
Environmental-Friendly Homes start with green building products and techniques. We strongly encourage the use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) when planning new homes or additions.
ICFs are used for creating structures with superior durability against the elements. They create environments with unequalled indoor air quality and soundproofing and reduce heating, cooling, and maintenance costs associated with any home.
SIPs provide a unique alternative to stick-built concerns such as energy efficiency, resource supply and lengthy construction times. SIPs are composed of a continuous core of rigid foam insulation, which is laminated between two layers of structural board with an industrial adhesive at controlled pressure to form a single, solid panel. The result is a simple, fast, high energy-efficient, structural system, which provides superior thermal performance and substantially greater strength than conventional stud construction. The energy efficiency of a SIP structure means reduced heating and cooling loads, which in turn can mean savings in HVAC equipment.
Our team incorporates the heating and cooling needs into the design of your home or addition. This is a very important step in the design process and might even impact the arrangement of your floor plans to maximize the energy efficiency. We use isolated passive solar sunspaces, air lock entries, and attached garages to provide a buffer between the heated spaces and the outside, further reducing your heating bills. We also recommend the use radiant heated floors or a hydro air system to provide comfort and heat. Both heating systems have the ability to be coupled with a solar thermal system. Designing the correct systems can make your home eligible to be “ENERGY STAR qualified”. These homes are high quality, comfortable homes that cost less and are good for the environment.
Why are these construction metods so important and how do they affect your overall “House Envelope”?
ICFs vs. Conventional Foundations
Storm Safety
- Withstands winds up to 200 mph
- Preferred product for safe rooms, basements and storm shelters
- Also performs well in seismic zones
Environmental Safety
- No HCFC’s or CFC’s emitted during manufacturing process
- Forms are recyclable
- No off-gassing, fumes, odors or toxins
- Sound Transmission Class of 57+ reduces loud outside noise to the level of a whisper inside
- Recommended by Energy Star® Homes Program
Energy Efficiency - R-value
Actual R-value of concrete & ICF Form: 22
Effective R-value of concrete, ICF Form, air infiltration, and thermal mass: 40+
Air changes per hour -- .04 - .09
Saves 50-80% on utility bills |
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SIPS vs. Conventional Stick Framing
Strength / Shear Walls
SIPs are composed of a continuous core of rigid foam insulation, which is laminated between two layers of structural board with an industrial adhesive at controlled pressure to form a single, solid panel. Because of this construction, they are substantially greater in strength than conventional stud construction.
Speed of Construction
The most important factor in today's construction industry is the speed and simplicity of SIP construction. By combining three stages of conventional shell construction -- framing, sheathing and insulation -- into a single unit, a SIP structure can be erected much faster, with less specialized labor, than outdated stick-building methods. This can mean lower labor and loan expenses, and quicker occupancy.
Effective R-Value
A conventionally framed 2X6 wall rated R-19, does not give you an R-19 wall. Yet we have come to call them "R-19 walls." because they have R-19 in them. If you space the 2x6 studs 16 inches on center and have 'standard' wall openings and plates, then anywhere from 20% to 30% of your wall surface is actually backed by studs, not insulation. Softwoods that studs are made from generally have an R-value of about R-1/inch; so a 2x6 (actually only 5.5" wide - or THICK from an insulation point of view) provides R-5.5. If ~25% of your wall is only R-5.5, then your "R-19" wall is actually R-15.6 (effective R value).
Where a SIP walls have many fewer thermal breaks and for the same thickness in the wall the effective R value is 25, nearly double ! SIPs also provide you with additional design considerations beyond conventional framing. The structural integrity of SIPs opens up many exciting new design options, such as, cathedral ceilings and useable attic space that might not be practical or affordable with traditional construction methods.
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SIPs provide a unique alternative to stick-built concerns such as energy efficiency, resource supply and lengthy construction times.
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