Re: COHOUSING-L digest 673 | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
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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