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Showing posts with label Structural Insulated Panels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Structural Insulated Panels. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Energy Star Rated Timber Frame Homes
Check out some of the Timberpeg timber frame homes that have received Energy Star Certification.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Building a "Green" Home - What Does it Really Mean?
Everyone is interested in building a “green” house, but what that means will vary depending upon the owner’s goals. In general, a green house will be one that is designed to use fewer non-renewable resources, and to conserve land, water and energy. The best way to do this is to limit the footprint and size of the building. The reason is simple physics: a smaller house uses less material, and will require smaller energy inputs to be comfortable for its inhabitants. So the first rule is to have a compact house, with less interior volume needing to be heated and cooled.
The second most important factor is to have a tight house, without air infiltration or leaks. Fortunately, timber framed houses enclosed with either structural insulated panels (SIPs) or built-up rigid foam insulation (Timberpeg's “wrap & strap”) are inherently tight, and therefore efficient. With solid timbers providing structure, the exterior walls and roof can be either SIPs or built-up vented rigid foam systems, using sheathing, foam, strapping and finally siding. The vented air space allows any condensation forming in the walls and roof to dry harmlessly, and helps to preserve wooden finishes. The result is a tight, well-insulated house that lasts.
Next most important is insulating the foundation, walls and roof so energy transfers are kept as small as possible. This means a high “R” factor, which is a measure of resistance to the flow of heat. In the Northeast, roofs should be around R-38 and walls R-23 to keep heating (and cooling) bills low. As oil increases in price, the relative payback for more insulation shortens, so even higher levels become more economical.
Another priority is to use high quality, well insulated doors and windows. Even the best double hung windows have a U factor of .35 to .31, which is equivalent to only R-2.86 to R 3.23. So even modern, tight double-hung windows transfer far more heat than wall surfaces, which is why windows should be limited and carefully placed for optimum views and solar gain in the winter.
The foundation is also a concern. Insulated walls are a must, and simply two inches of rigid polystyrene on the exterior is no longer satisfactory. Foundations can be insulated on the inside, or insulated concrete forms (ICF’s) can be used to form and insulate in one step. Like structural insulated panels (SIPs), these provide continuous, uninterrupted insulation, and are therefore more effective than traditionally framed walls, with 2x studs every sixteen to twenty-four inches. Not only is wood a relatively inefficient insulator at R 1.25 per inch, but the nails or screws act as small conductors, drawing heat through the walls. SIPs and ICF’s are more efficient and effective.
Using Energy Star rated appliances will help to limit electrical loads, and controlled mechanical ventilation is a must in a tight house. By using a Heat Recovery Ventilator even more energy can be saved, while providing needed fresh air. If the house has air conditioning, an Energy Recovery Ventilator will work in both heating and cooling cycles. Although kitchen and exhaust fans can theoretically exhaust enough air to allow fresh air in, they require adequate make-up air to function properly, and a modern timber frame house is so tight that sufficient fresh air cannot be assumed without controlled, mechanical ventilation.
Water conservation is also part of building green. Low and dual flush toilets and restricted showerheads help to conserve fresh water, and it is possible to isolate gray water for use as irrigation in dry climates. How the house is sited, and having porous paving and on-site water collection areas are other key elements in minimizing fresh water use.
Finally, one can look for renewable sources for producing heat and electrical power. Solar water heating panels have improved, with higher efficiencies, and photovoltaic panels will work well given unshaded southern or western exposures. For this reason, the orientation of the house is critical, although remotely sited photovoltaic panels can be used if necessary.
Today there are many ways to build in a more responsible and conserving manner. Keeping the house small, using naturally renewable materials like wood, and insulating well are all key design elements that will yield big rewards. Using efficient windows, and limiting their number, also helps, as does using Energy Star rated appliances and low water use fixtures. Buildings consume some forty per cent of all energy consumed annually in the United States; we owe it to our children to design and build in a more sustainable and supportable fashion.
The second most important factor is to have a tight house, without air infiltration or leaks. Fortunately, timber framed houses enclosed with either structural insulated panels (SIPs) or built-up rigid foam insulation (Timberpeg's “wrap & strap”) are inherently tight, and therefore efficient. With solid timbers providing structure, the exterior walls and roof can be either SIPs or built-up vented rigid foam systems, using sheathing, foam, strapping and finally siding. The vented air space allows any condensation forming in the walls and roof to dry harmlessly, and helps to preserve wooden finishes. The result is a tight, well-insulated house that lasts.
Next most important is insulating the foundation, walls and roof so energy transfers are kept as small as possible. This means a high “R” factor, which is a measure of resistance to the flow of heat. In the Northeast, roofs should be around R-38 and walls R-23 to keep heating (and cooling) bills low. As oil increases in price, the relative payback for more insulation shortens, so even higher levels become more economical.
Another priority is to use high quality, well insulated doors and windows. Even the best double hung windows have a U factor of .35 to .31, which is equivalent to only R-2.86 to R 3.23. So even modern, tight double-hung windows transfer far more heat than wall surfaces, which is why windows should be limited and carefully placed for optimum views and solar gain in the winter.
The foundation is also a concern. Insulated walls are a must, and simply two inches of rigid polystyrene on the exterior is no longer satisfactory. Foundations can be insulated on the inside, or insulated concrete forms (ICF’s) can be used to form and insulate in one step. Like structural insulated panels (SIPs), these provide continuous, uninterrupted insulation, and are therefore more effective than traditionally framed walls, with 2x studs every sixteen to twenty-four inches. Not only is wood a relatively inefficient insulator at R 1.25 per inch, but the nails or screws act as small conductors, drawing heat through the walls. SIPs and ICF’s are more efficient and effective.
Using Energy Star rated appliances will help to limit electrical loads, and controlled mechanical ventilation is a must in a tight house. By using a Heat Recovery Ventilator even more energy can be saved, while providing needed fresh air. If the house has air conditioning, an Energy Recovery Ventilator will work in both heating and cooling cycles. Although kitchen and exhaust fans can theoretically exhaust enough air to allow fresh air in, they require adequate make-up air to function properly, and a modern timber frame house is so tight that sufficient fresh air cannot be assumed without controlled, mechanical ventilation.
Water conservation is also part of building green. Low and dual flush toilets and restricted showerheads help to conserve fresh water, and it is possible to isolate gray water for use as irrigation in dry climates. How the house is sited, and having porous paving and on-site water collection areas are other key elements in minimizing fresh water use.
Finally, one can look for renewable sources for producing heat and electrical power. Solar water heating panels have improved, with higher efficiencies, and photovoltaic panels will work well given unshaded southern or western exposures. For this reason, the orientation of the house is critical, although remotely sited photovoltaic panels can be used if necessary.
Today there are many ways to build in a more responsible and conserving manner. Keeping the house small, using naturally renewable materials like wood, and insulating well are all key design elements that will yield big rewards. Using efficient windows, and limiting their number, also helps, as does using Energy Star rated appliances and low water use fixtures. Buildings consume some forty per cent of all energy consumed annually in the United States; we owe it to our children to design and build in a more sustainable and supportable fashion.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
House is Enclosed Using Structural Insulated Panels Donated by Foard Panel
Foard Panel arrived on Thursday, June 19 to begin installing the SIPs. They had the walls up by the end of the day Thursday. And were hoping to finish Friday. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, as it rarely does, and they were only able to install the back side of the roof. The rain came again on Monday and the crew was finally able to finish up installing the SIPs by early afternoon, Tuesday, June 24, before the thunder and lightening appeared yet again!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Groundbreaking for the Habitat for Humanity House
It was an exciting time for the family who was chosen to work on, and eventually live in this house. All three children helped join in the ceremonies as the first ground was broken on what is sure to be a life changing event for the Upper Valley family. Representatives from all 17 participating faith groups, Timberpeg® and Foard Panel, were on hand to celebrate the joyous event.To find out more about this project and its ongoing progress, visit http://www.timberpeg.com/habitat.Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity Teams Up with Timberpeg® and Foard Panel on the “InterFaith House”
The Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity, in conjunction with Timberpeg®, Foard Panel and members of twenty faith communities in the Upper Valley, invite all to break ground for a new, perpetually affordable home on Sunday, May 18. The Upper Valley family that will live in the home has not yet been chosen but will be selected shortly before groundbreaking and will “drive the first peg” of their timber frame home in early June. The "Upper Valley Habitat InterFaith House" will be built in Star Lake Village in Norwich, VT on land provided by Twin Pines Housing Trust of White River Junction and is designed to meet Energy Star® qualifications.
Timberpeg®, a local Upper Valley timber frame company with offices in West Lebanon and Claremont, is donating locally harvested eastern white pine timbers, decking and labor to install the first floor deck and erect the timber frame. Timberpeg® also volunteered their services to help in the design of the new home. “Timberpeg has been pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity in designing and providing a high-quality timber-framed house that will be attractive, affordable and very energy efficient,” says Jonathan Vincent, AIA, Timberpeg® Architect and Director of Design. Vincent worked with Don Derrick, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity, and Tim McCosker, Designer at Habitat for Humanity, on the design.
Foard Panel, located in West Chesterfield, NH, is donating XPS (extruded polystyrene) structural insulated panels (SIP) to enclose the home. Foard Panel is the only company in America to make this type of SIP. The OSB material included in the SIPs, is being donated by TOLKO Industries, Ltd., located in British Columbia, Canada. The XPS product is produced by DOW and exceeds Energy Star® standards for thermal performance, which will allow the homeowner great savings on their energy bills. Foard Panel and Timberpeg® will provide the labor to attach the panels.
"This is an absolutely wonderful gift by Timberpeg and Foard. The materials are absolutely top rate, and we were so impressed by the way the people in the organizations took hold of the project and designed a home especially for the Habitat ideal of a 'simple, decent home'," says Don Derrick of Habitat for Humanity.
This major contribution by Timberpeg® and Foard Panel will aid the sponsorship by twenty local faith communities. "What a great example of people joining together to use their skills and resources to help each other help their neighbors. The leadership of Timberpeg® and of our twenty Faith Community sponsors is ensuring a safe, secure home for a family in need. This is just what I have come to expect from the people of the Upper Valley. What a great place to live," comments Don Derrick.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating any materials for this project, please call The Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity at (802) 295-1854 or contact via email at uvhfh@sover.net. To learn more about this project and to keep up with its progress visit timberpeg.com/habitat or www.uppervalleyhabitat.org/projects.htm.
Timberpeg®, a local Upper Valley timber frame company with offices in West Lebanon and Claremont, is donating locally harvested eastern white pine timbers, decking and labor to install the first floor deck and erect the timber frame. Timberpeg® also volunteered their services to help in the design of the new home. “Timberpeg has been pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity in designing and providing a high-quality timber-framed house that will be attractive, affordable and very energy efficient,” says Jonathan Vincent, AIA, Timberpeg® Architect and Director of Design. Vincent worked with Don Derrick, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity, and Tim McCosker, Designer at Habitat for Humanity, on the design.
Foard Panel, located in West Chesterfield, NH, is donating XPS (extruded polystyrene) structural insulated panels (SIP) to enclose the home. Foard Panel is the only company in America to make this type of SIP. The OSB material included in the SIPs, is being donated by TOLKO Industries, Ltd., located in British Columbia, Canada. The XPS product is produced by DOW and exceeds Energy Star® standards for thermal performance, which will allow the homeowner great savings on their energy bills. Foard Panel and Timberpeg® will provide the labor to attach the panels.
"This is an absolutely wonderful gift by Timberpeg and Foard. The materials are absolutely top rate, and we were so impressed by the way the people in the organizations took hold of the project and designed a home especially for the Habitat ideal of a 'simple, decent home'," says Don Derrick of Habitat for Humanity.
This major contribution by Timberpeg® and Foard Panel will aid the sponsorship by twenty local faith communities. "What a great example of people joining together to use their skills and resources to help each other help their neighbors. The leadership of Timberpeg® and of our twenty Faith Community sponsors is ensuring a safe, secure home for a family in need. This is just what I have come to expect from the people of the Upper Valley. What a great place to live," comments Don Derrick.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating any materials for this project, please call The Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity at (802) 295-1854 or contact via email at uvhfh@sover.net. To learn more about this project and to keep up with its progress visit timberpeg.com/habitat or www.uppervalleyhabitat.org/projects.htm.
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