The question of insulating homes is a big one and brings a cost implication as well as a long term impact to individuals who are thinking of construction or planning extensions to their current dwelling. Using efficient and cost effective insulation solutions for buildings and custom homes becomes significant especially in places where climate conditions are such that insulation is not an option but an expense that one just has to bear. Getting this done can come at a heavy cost if one is not aware of the existing insulation options available in the market.
Here are two superior options for homeowners to look at while considering insulation for buildings and custom homes.
Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs
Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs as they are known are blocks of foam made up of Extruded Polystyrene (EPS or XPS). These are hollow blocks that are stacked to shape the walls of buildings. ICFs are reinforced with steel bars and filled up with industrial grade, reliable concrete. ICFs combine the insulating material XPS with one of the strongest building materials available, steel reinforced concrete.
Benefits of ICFs
The use of ICFs results in a wall system that provides several benefits as far as insulation goes. Some of the benefits include:
- Superior energy efficiency
- Almost unmatched strength
- Reduction of noise
- Reduced heating and cooling bills
- Safety to the occupants of a home as this wall system can be fire resistant for up to three hours and has a constant wind resistance of 200 miles per hour. This will offer some comfort for home owners in hurricane prone areas.
ICFs are ideal wall insulation solutions for architects and home owners in today’s world.
Structural Insulating Panels or SIPs
Structural Insulating Panels (SIPs) are another type of highly efficient insulation for buildings. SIPs are multi-functional and can be used effectively for sheathing, framing and insulation purposes. SIPs are made up of two layers of Orient Strand Board (OSB) consisting of flakes or wafers of chipped wood, also known as wafer board or particle board. The rigid insulating center of the SIP functions as a strong web, while the Orient Strand Board exterior shows similar characteristics as flanges. SIPs aim to do away with many conventional components involved in building like studs, insulation, joists and air and vapor barriers. Hence they have different applications such as making up the exterior layer of walls, roofs, and floorboards.
Benefits of SIPs
SIPs are a cost effective solution and tend to more than pay for themselves over the years.
- Home owners will feel the real cost savings derived through efficient heating and cooling of homes over the long term. SIPs are about 40% more efficient than conventional flooring, roofing and wall paneling.
- The wood used is environment friendly as it uses wafer chips that are a by-product of other uses of wood.
- SIPs are usually termite free and anti fungal.
- Long term durability is another benefit of SIPs. SIP users need not worry about degradation of their insulated panels for as long as 2000 years.
ICFs and SIPs as insulation – versatility in mainstream usage
Extruded Polystyrene has been used as insulation for over 50 years. Since then, the technology has advanced and innovations in construction have led to the engineering of new building materials that take better advantage of XPS’s properties. SIPs and ICFs are two expanded polystyrene systems that are widely used in North America. Though these assemblies have been around for over 30 years, increased energy costs and recognized benefits of their design have only now firmly brought them into mainstream use.
Initially, when introduced into the market, these assemblies were looked at and marketed as totally separate systems – even competitors – acting as alternatives to traditional construction. Later, however, designers were constantly finding new ways to use both ICFs and SIPs in the same project, fully utilizing the best property of each. ICF construction gives good thermal performance and sustainability for erecting or constructing walls, while roofs that are made from SIPs offer excellent thermal resistance and other distinct advantages.
Apart from their inherent benefits, these two insulated concrete forms are available in various sizes and shapes for both interior and exterior insulated walls. They work to form structurally sound structures that can bear vertical and horizontal loads equally well. The usage of ICFs and SIPs in custom homes, as well as commercial buildings, in foundations, walls, basements, etc is therefore growing rapidly.
Author: Bill Weber
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Pressure Cooker
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