Jan 21 2015
ACH Foam Technologies' R-Control® Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) have become a crucial tool for architects and builders who are creating beautiful buildings that approach net zero energy use. So when Wisconsin architect Matthew Tills wanted to build his own Energy Star rated home, he turned to ACH Foam Technologies' R-Control® Structural Insulated Panels.
ACH Foam Technologies' Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are part of a Wisconsin's home design and Energy Star rating.
The 2,500 square foot home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin also featured elements like large windows that made creating an energy efficient home challenging. But according to Tills, "The SIP roof and walls help to make up for that, since they create such a tight envelope."
Working with contractor Tim Woods, who has been involved in the Energy Star program since 2000 and has been working with ACH Foam Technologies equally as long, Tills built his dream, energy efficient home.
For the home, Tills used 2,852 SF of 6" wall panels and 1,872 SF of 12" roof panels made by ACH Foam Technologies.
The shell of any home determines how energy efficient the building will be. SIPs are the best solution for the biggest building envelope problems: air and moisture infiltration.
"The extremely tight building envelope that SIPs creates solves both moisture and air infiltration problems," said Woods. "This particular home needed a really tight envelope to make up for the huge expanse of windows across the south side of the home. Since SIPs don't have wall cavities like stick framed buildings, you avoid the whole moisture problem altogether."
But because SIPs are cut to size before building begins, some architects fear this material requires more planning. Tills didn't have that experience.
"There was no difference in the way I approached this design and how I would have done so with a stick-framed house. I still had all the design options I wanted. Of course, the labor onsite is minimized with SIPs too."
Tills explored other energy-saving technologies, including slab on-grade house with exposed concrete floors. The floors had a hydronic heating system and four inches of ACH Foam Technologies' Foam-Control® Plus+® 250 underslab insulation, as well as perimeter insulation.
The insulated and heated floors allow Tills to keep the thermostat down in the winter, another energy saving advantage.