The building is starting to take its shape.The most visible part of the project is going up….exterior walls and roof. These are unusual walls and roof, as they are made of pre-fabricated panels called “SIPs”—Structural Insulated Panels. They are made of plywood and filled with Styrofoam insulation (check out the photos).
Showing the inside view of the SIP panel.
These walls (and roof) are much faster to install than traditional framing methods and their insulating factor is through the roof! (pun intended) Extensive use was made of locally –grown “good wood” and FSC lumber for the dimensional lumber needs. We’re using everything we can that supports sustainable practices and uses local suppliers.
The site work will be starting later this summer and will include the use of recycled concrete as aggregate for the new concrete. When our crew was excavating the site for the building, they unearthed a HUGE chunk of old concrete (it’s been suggested that it is an street car turntable or perhaps the foundation for a teepee burner from days of yore). Rather than just fill the landfill with this, our concrete guys suggested we use it for the concrete in the sidewalks, curbs and driveway on our site.
Can you provide more information on the SIP supplier please.
The name of the supplier is Premier Building Systems located in Fife, WA their website is http://www.pbssips.com/
[...] and direction of the light. Ultimately, in cooperation with the highly efficient HVAC system, the SIPS panels, strategically placed reflective surfaces, and the architect’s design to enhance natural [...]
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
Recycled denim insulation sounds interesting. My questions are these; is it completely fireproofed, mold and moisture resistant,? Do it have some typy of mastic in it to hold the insulation in place so it does not settle to the bottom of the walls in time?
Recycling is great, just would like to know that it is being done in a way that does not cause problems if future years. Way to go Missoula ! I’d like to utilize some green building measures in modernizing our home and am always looking for new safe innovations. Good job MFCU ! ! !
Karen Wagner
Karen, According to the product’s website, the insulation meets existing ASTM specification and test methods for batt insulation: ASTM C665, ASTM C518, ASTM E96, ASTM E84, ASTM E970. These tests include thermal resistance (R-value), surface burning characteristics, water vapor, moisture vapor absorption, odor emission, corrosiveness, fungi resistance, and starch.
In terms of whether it has a binding agent, the product is more rigid that batt insulation – it is not a blown-in or loose insulation product.
Here is a cut sheet on it: http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/wall_insulation/pdf/misc_data/UltraBroc2.pdf