Re: COHOUSING-L digest 673
From: Glen Orcutt (gorcuttprowess.com)
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 1995 14:43:28 -0600
Marty Roberts, Santa Rosa (Jewell HIll LLC) asked:

>A neighbor who works in energy
>planning loaned me a video tape on foam core building pAnels.  They seem to
>have * a lot* of benefits:
>Insulation - they are virtually air tight, no leaks or holes anywhere. Hi R
>value and no air movement inside walls.
>soundproof!!
>Don't use trees!!!!
>Can be pre-cut and assembled on site cutting construction time to one third!
>Environmental studies show they contain no CFC'c, HCFC'c or formaldehyde.
>They are landfill safe and recyclable.
>Contains a natural mineral to resist insects
>Inert and highly stable.
>
>I think it is a highly exciting and environmental concept, but am having
>trouble getting my community interested.  Has anyone out there built anything
>with these panels?  or know of anyone who has?  Or have any info or opinions
>on them?

Marty:
I researched this material extensively when we were making our material
decisions.  I have seen some homes being built with it also.  Our contractor
also investigated it and he was impressed with it (and he is an "old-school
stick frame builder").  

We had two concerns:
1. Air-tight homes are problematic from a toxic standpoint (Cooking/cleaning
odors, bodily odors, etc).  There isn't a constant air-exchange which
replenishes the household air.  This can be circumvented via vents or
leaving windows cracked.
2. It is a relatively new technology and is therefore unproven.  Do you want
to take a chance with your new home?

The company that sells the material in our area promised that it was
competitive to stick frame in cost.  Our group was to the point of going
with it if it was in the same ballpark as stick frame.  But when we got the
bid from the vendor, it was about 25% higher than stick frame and we decided
not to go with it.  

It certainly seems like a good way to go and maybe in your area, it really
is competitive to stick frame or maybe your group isn't as cost conscious as
we were or perhaps your group is more environmentally concerned.

Glen Orcutt
Valley Oaks Village
Chico, CA

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