I am looking to replace a broken down barn that is approximately 25×40 with a new building on a slab. The building will have a full walk up attic with knee walls and garage space below.
I was thinking about having the building built from ISP’s. Is this a good idea considering that I will probably insulate the structure if stick built and I would like the place to go up in a hurry. I want it to have the look and feel of a barn on the outside.
If ISP’s are a reasonable idea what is the process? Do I need an architect or do I contact the ISP people and tell them what I am looking for and let them design it?
Any recommendations on ISP manufacturer’s?
Replies
You my want to build on a foundation instead of on a slab. If part of the slab heaves up or settles down different than the rest of the buildings slab the panels may start to pull apart. If you build using post and trusses you may want to pour a series of footings, maybe with the bigfoot system were the posts are, and then pour a bond beam around the top of the footings.(http://www.bigfootsystems.com/Consumers/r-uses.html). Just an idea.
I'm no expert on the subject, but I watched my next door neighbor put up a SIP garage this summer that's very similar to what you're contemplating -- it's about the same size, with a second story studio space for his wife's clothing design business. He did build it on a foundation, though.
With the help of a crane it went up very fast (I think it took less than two full days, and there were a couple complicated dormers they had to fiddle with) and now that he's finished the exterior it's quite an attractive building. We're in an older section of Minneapolis, and it looks very much like the carriage houses that still exist here and there in the neighborhood. He said it went together really well, and he liked how square and plumb everything was when he put up the trim and siding. I'd sure think hard about using SIPs after seeing how this thing came together.
Edited 8/20/2004 1:57 pm ET by Stuart
Stating your location and climate would be helpful.
WSJ
Essex. MA - Good idea about a full foundation. How about manufacturers of SIP's?
Klawler,
Are you building a barn or a house? What you propose doing is virtually identical to what I had built 2 years ago (including the demo work), 1,000sq. ft. footprint w/t 480' loft. Mono slab, not below grade with insl.. Total cost was $22K, but it had red cedar siding (added $4K) and lot's of windows,...another $2.5K(low-e argon)
BTW, No work was done by me. That was the turn key price, up and done in 2 weeks.
WSJ
If you expect to insulate some day, put two inches of foam under the slab, too.
"If you expect to insulate some day, put two inches of foam under the slab, too."
Waynel.
Even if you build in the Arizona desert?
WSJ
Well, maybe not there.