Anyone have experience with SIPs floor panels? Have a design where it may make sense to use them, but would first like to hear personal experience on sturdiness, convenience, etc. Thanks.
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I'm curious why anyone would want to use SIPs for a floor. Seems like the foam and OSB skin on the bottom would make running mechanicals quite a pain...
Saw it recently...can't remember where...and was intrigued. I'd guess there's an answer for that, just as there is for getting stuff in the walls. Hoping someone has personal experience, so I don't have to rely on mfg propoganda.You wouldn't be suggesting floor trusses as inherently superior, would you? Ha ha.
I saw a segment on one of the home shows. Probably TOH. What a PIA!
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Why PIA?I'm always looking insulated flooring options be/c we often stick garages in the lower level of a multi-story shell. Know someone who's used Insul-Deck to great advantage, for example, and always looking at alternatives.Hope to hear from someone who's used them for a first-hand experience.
"You wouldn't be suggesting floor trusses as inherently superior, would you?"
No - I was just seriously curious.
Take Courage! Whatever you decide to do, it will probably be the wrong thing. [Ashleigh Brilliant]
The newest segment of This Old House had an example of SIP's as floor panels..
why do it? because you can get a sturdy warm floor from it.. pain for mechanicals? rethink and it get's lots easier. My attic has them, I plan on setting up a ping pong table up there so I jumped up and down (I am over 250 pounds) and could see or fell any deflection. SIP's spaning 10 feet displayed or showed no deflection..
Just to show how strong they are, when I was building my tower I would often find myself at the tip of a unsupported 12 foot panel that had only been edge nailed and glued. . There I was 12 feet from anything resembling a nail and my fat butt wouldn't cause the panel to move!
I love SIP's! You can put walls up in a few hours and then punch holes anyplace for windows ! No headers to install* no worry about racking twisting or deflection.. SIP's are really strong compared to stick built I keep seeing that they are 200% stronger but I don't know the origins of that statement.. I can tell you that they are a breeze to install and work with.
their only weakness is they don't like to get wet or damp.. they are after all OSB and that stuff can fall apart pretty easily if exposed to continuace wet.. (aimilar to the effect rain has on plywood!
* under normal conditions