May 17 2006
H.E.R.E. International, Inc., a subsidiary of Aquentium, Inc. (OTC: AQNM) announced today that the company is in the process of equipping its factory to begin the manufacturing of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).
"We feel that the manufacturing of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) will generate significant revenues for our subsidiary, H.E.R.E. International, Inc.," stated Aquentium CEO Mark Taggatz.
SIPs are high-performance building panels for floors, walls and roofs in residential and commercial buildings. Each monolithic panel is typically made using expanded polystyrene (EPS) rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two structural skins of fiber-cement, metal or oriented strand board (OSB). The result is a building system originating in the 1930's that is very strong, durable, predictable, energy efficient, and cost effective.
"Building with SIPs generally costs about the same as building with wood frame construction, when you factor in the labor savings resulting from shorter construction time and less job-site waste. Other savings are realized because less expensive heating and cooling systems are required with SIP construction," stated H.E.R.E International, Inc. President Ted Ciotti.
SIP buildings are vastly more energy efficient, stronger, quieter, and more draft free than other building systems, such as stud framing with fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass is sometimes used for furnace filters because air moves through so freely. Rigid insulation is used as solid component insulation in almost every industry for its inherent efficiency and lack of air movement. These attributes are built right into a SIP building. Less air leakage means fewer drafts, less noise, lower energy bills, and a much more comfortable indoor environment.
Ciotti added, "With our methods and materials we believe our SIPs have a distinct advantage over other manufactures and our ASTM test results prove it! Our value and performance makes our sustainable structures the newest revolution in the construction industry!"
A study by the Oak Ridge National Labs (ORNL) proves that a 4-inch SIP wall outperforms 2"x4" stick and batt construction, and even edges out 2"x6" construction in terms of thermal performance. Because SIPs are the structural elements, there are no studs or braces to cause breaks in the insulative action. The end result is a more comfortable, energy efficient structure that performs up to spec in real-world conditions. There are no hidden gaps, because a solid layer of foam insulation is integral to panel construction.
By contrast, state-of-the-art technical analysis of whole wall performance indicates that the losses in a stud wall are much greater than you might think: on average, the other standard components in stick and batt construction can reduce R-values in as much as 30% of the wall area. Fortunately, that's not the case with structural insulated panels. The ORNL study found that SIPs perform at approximately 97% of their stated R-value overall, losing only 3% to nail holes, seams, splines, and the like. Wiring chases are precut or preformed into the foam core, providing a continuous layer of insulation keeping the elements at bay and the interior free of drafts and cold spots.
A SIP wall also outperforms stick and batt when it comes to maintaining consistent interior temperatures, and that translates to improved occupant comfort. The interior surface temperature of frame construction drops precipitously at every stud, while the SIP wall remains consistent across its entire surface. No temperature dips mean improved occupant comfort, regardless of where you are in the room. That's a big part of what people are talking about when they say they can immediately "feel the difference" in a SIP-built residential or commercial space. With SIPs, thermal efficiency and comfort are built in at the factory, and now the lab results prove it.
"We believe our initial manufacturing location in Palm Springs, California is very strategic since the three fastest areas of growth in the United States are Phoenix Arizona, California (Riverside County) and Las Vegas Nevada," added Taggatz.