Replies

1. 
   Jason | Aug 15, 2001 02:54am | #1

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   To start off with, good for you on choosing SIPS. Although I don't know of any "problem with nailers for siding", I do and have hung wood and vinyl on on the panels without any trouble. And would I do it again? Oh yeah...I'm working on switching over to doing nothing but SIPs. There's some good threads, and the http://www.sips.org has a good forum as well.

1. 
   Bruce_Williams | Aug 15, 2001 03:34am | #2

   *OK, so if you've had success in applying siding to SIPs, please let me know what bilding code you operate under and what attachment methods you used. I understand you can hang siding on OSB, but will it stay there? If you've had experience in hiring electrical subs to fish everything in the walls and vaulted ceilings, how did that go?I've been through all the forums etc. at http://www.sips.org and at http://www.sipweb.com. But more stories, good or bad, would be of help to me. If there are threads in this forum, they didn't turn up in a search for SIPs, so where might they be?What experinces have caused you to decide to make you switch to "nothing but SIPs?And further, if you're in an area with real winters, what have you done to eliminate the "too-tight-house" syndrome? Do you spec an air-to-air heat exchanger (HRV) in you HVAC system?

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   Jason | Aug 15, 2001 11:38pm | #3

   *Yah, okay Bruce. We operate under BOCA, but I hear the whole state is about to switch to IBC here in the near future. We did have a problem with a hanging cedar sided SIP home a couple years ago, however, that builder (we were replacing it with vinyl), had used about the crappiest grade of cedar I've ever seen, didn't prep it at all, and had the same problems on several conventional houses. No problems on my house (10 years), with cedar and 8d ring-shank SS. Had a little movement the first year (particularly on the South side), but nothing over the past five or six. Everything seems to be holding firm. Vinyl, of course, can be hung on anything, since it's the actual material that moves on the loose nails.I'm going right now on a SIP spec; no problem with electrical sub...the panels have built-in wiring chases at 12", 44" horizontal, and at 2' vertical (1.5 inch). You drill the top and bottom plates as you're installing, and then any interior walls. I've set up a jig and a big plunge router to get the outlets cut in.Why switch to SIPs? I'm a little guy; I cannot, and do not wish to compete with most of the builders in my area as far as low-cost pricing, which seems to be the norm. I intend to build very long-lasting, value-added homes, and SIPs provide that value, both from a business standpoint (small personal crew, no framing subs) and the panelization aspect puts me in the ballpark for speed and cost. Value comes to the customer in terms of shorter construction times, near perfect walls, and energy effeciency (and I think this will be a big deal down the road). And yes, Air to Air or makeup air needs to be provided. A good mechanical contractor can spec that out; I've built houses that have everything from a makeup air duct (basically a hole in the side of the house with a flapper that allows air to be "drawn" in when the furnace or water heater is on), to a mechanical ventilator (another hole in the house that basically pulls in air at preset times to provide air exchanges), to real ATA heat exchangers. I've been living in my home close to ten years; air seems to be fine, and my energy bills are much less than others around me. Why don't you email me if you'd like more information? I'm real hooked on this technology, am biased, and I think am good. If you don't believe me, just ask!

2. 
   Bruce_Williams | Aug 15, 2001 11:38pm | #4

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   I'm considering SIPs (structural insulated panels)for a house I'm about to start. I've found a source with internal structural members, which solves the problem of nailers for siding. Anyone had any experience with SIPs other than over a timber frame structure? Any recommendations for suppliers? Any experiences with finish other than stucco or EIFS? Would you do it again?