Structall Steel SIPs Building Step By Step 

+jena543 gerda This is a project we are currently looking into. We have had several contractors contact us about building tiny homes and tiny homes on trailers.

+sam ou After the home is closed in, move inside and install the remaining walls and beams. Any soffits and ceiling drops are accomplished by simply screwing light gauge framing to the underside of the roof panel. Romex wiring can be run through 1-1/2" 25 gauge steel high-hat channel that is furred-out on the inside of the wall panels creating a raceway, or run through prepunched holes in interior stud walls. Plumbing, drywall and other finishing materials are installed in the same fashion as a typical home. Maximum hat section spacing of 24-inches, oriented vertically from the floor, with 1 ¾” clearance from the sub-floor. The hat sections should be fastened to the steel facers with #10 x 3/4” tek screws every 12” on center. The ½” gypsum board needs to be fastened to the hat channel with 1”, No. 6 Type S screws, spaced 12” on center in the field and 8” on center at the edges.

+DanielRichards644 We have forwarded your request to our Senior Project Manager. If you would like to speak with him directly, please send us an email at info@structall.com with your contact information. Otherwise, we will message you with his response. Thank you.

+DanielRichards644 Using 6" roof panels and 6" wall panels, the materials for the house would be approximately $14,000. That includes the panels + all extrusion, screws, and caulk. Addt'l costs to consider would include the ventilator and engineering drawings. Doorways can be any size, within reason. The details we have transfer the load to the foundation. We have details for up to 16'-18' garage door openings. Regarding the overhang, we do not recommend in excess of 2' overhang without a beam to attach to, due to the uplift factor involved in a wind event. The snow load is not the limiting factor. If you would like more information or an itemized quote, feel free to contact us at info@structall.com.

Steel SIP construction costs less, actually. After you factor in the materials, manpower, and time required to build an equivalent, energy-efficient home, using other methods, you will exceed the cost of a Steel SIP home.

Brandon Russell Please contact us directly at info@structall.com with information about your project and we will connect you with the appropriate representative. Our Panels can be used in any climate. Structall Steel SIP Homes have been built all over the country as well as internationally. Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Canada, and Jamaica to name a few places off the top of my head.

Thanks for your response and I will be in touch asap.

We have a connection detail that we'd like you to take a look at. Please, send an email to info@structall.com and we will forward the detail to you.

Here is a chart for R-Values for EPS foam. structall.com/industrialsips/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R-Value-Chart.pdf What you really want to calculate is the U-Value when it comes to homes and other enclosed structures.

There is a 3/8" bead of caulk between the base channel and the slab. 2 beads if you are using the base channel with thermal break. There are weep holes drilled in the outer leg of the base channel for any trapped moisture to escape. There is a bead of sealant applied in the sealant reservoir. The snap-n-lock connection between each panel effectively seals the entire envelope. We have had moisture and air infiltration testing performed on the wall assembly with no evidence of water/air infiltration.

Also from a previous response: While there appears to be a gap at the bottom of the panels, the steel skin is resting on the ledge provided on the extrusion. The lip provides a capillary break that is so that moisture from the slab or other wet surfaces are not in contact with the metal skin or the EPS foam. We also recommend 1/4" weep holes in the base channel every 4 feet. We do use caulk in the sealant reservoir as an additional air and water barrier. However, they are not the primary protection feature in our product. The panels have a very strong mechanical connection when they snap together, and are very difficult to separate without lifting the panel out of the track and rocking them in or out to unlock the panel. With the fasteners 6" O.C. on each side to the panels there is no opportunity for the panels to rock and unlock. Show less

How do you prevent insect and or water intrusion if there are weep holes in the base channel?

Even during a flood, there is no where for the water to go but out the weep hole. The EPS foam will not soak up the water and the G90 Galvanized steel skin will not corrode or delaminate due to exposure to water. There wouldn't be enough pressure to push the water past the panel and into the interior of the structure. There is a minimum 6" clearance around the outer perimeter wall to comply with the IRC building code, thus insect infestation can be observed as they enter the wall for nesting purposes, i.e. termite mud tubes on the surface of the foundation. Additional protection can be provided with insect resistant foam at a nominal charge as well.

Interior walls and floors are light gauge steel studs. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YG5POO4EwMQ.htmlm59s

+Fussinated The 4 screws are just part of the initial steps. Further on, the video shows the screws being installed interior and exterior approximately 6" on center. Shims tend to not be exact and cause interference when attaching the next panel. With corners plumb the adjoining panels rest fully on the ledge on the base track and, with the interlock action of the Snap-N-Lock panel, further inhibits any movement. Additional shear value is added as all corners on the interior have a flat strap X, from the track to the wall cap, and the wall cap to the plate. The initial two panels in both directions serving to increase the shear capacity as well.

One our biggest value enhancement with this system is in using our Steel Snap-N-Lock panel to close the envelope by providing continuous uncompressed insulation over the exterior wall as well acting as the structural roof system providing the vaulted ceiling and excellent conditioned attic or optional loft area. That being said, the Snap-N-Lock panel does serve as a superior interior wall for separating the garage and as demising walls between two units in multi-family units providing fire rated walls and greatly reducing sound and air pollution between the units. Interior walls are best served with light gauge metal framing for value and ease of construction.

Snap-N-Lock Steel SIP structures are very strong. Basic engineering for our buildings are capable of withstanding winds up to 120 mph. We have engineering meant for homes built on the coast of Florida that can withstand 150+ mph winds. Our load-bearing wall panels are Florida product approved for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). Our testing reports show that the panels are impervious to water and air infiltration.

+Randy Lavine We have distribution centers in San Antonio, TX, St. Gabriel, LA, Lakeland, FL, and our manufacturing and home office is located in Oldsmar, FL (Tampa/St. Pete area). Our panels are a net 48" W, so depending on the lengths, which can achieve in excess of 30' when necessary, you receive an actual net value equal to the stated dimensions i.e. 4X8=32sq. ft. and when installed, as the video shows, in 2 or 4 ft increments (proper planning allows for the other 2' of the 4' wide panel to be used on the opposite wall or roof section). As in your vehicle there is no appreciable loss of signal due to the steel skin on the panel. The two layers of 26 ga. steel equals about 0.10 mm. and the average sheet metal on a car is 0.60mm to 0.80mm. Our 4" wall panel and 6" roof panels assemblies, as illustrated in the video, meet the requirements for R20 Walls and R49 roof per the 2012 IRC. More information about codes R and U equivalent can be found here: publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_11_sec002.htm Notable features: Integral moisture/air barrier, allergy preventive construction, Indoor Air Quailty (IAQ), sustainability, green, MLS green value added listing, reduced skill labor requirements, extended work season, mold preventive construction, up to 150 MPH construction, reduce apartment turnover, fewer foreclosures, fortified building, HERS 60, flood resistant construction, factory direct warranty, solar ready, aging in place, low job site waste.

+Duncan Dixon Steel SIPs are lighter. A 6" Steel Snap-N-Lock panel is 2.23 lbs/sq.ft., whereas a 4-1/2" OSB SIP weighs 3.31 lbs/sq.ft. Panel vs Panel, the OSB SIP is cheaper. However, with OSB SIPs, you should consider the additional cost of manpower/machinery needed to work with and lift the panels, as well as the extra materials you will need to protect the OSB home from water and insects.

Excellent. I know that here in nz, we can get wooden sips locally. I just hope we can get steel.

+2Awesome While there appears to be a gap at the bottom of the panels, the steel skin is resting on the ledge provided on the extrusion. The lip provides a capillary break that is so that moisture from the slab or other wet surfaces are not in contact with the metal skin or the EPS foam. We also recommend 1/4" weep holes in the base channel every 4 feet. We do use caulk in the sealant reservoir as an additional air and water barrier. However, they are not the primary protection feature in our product. The panels have a very strong mechanical connection when they snap together, and are very difficult to separate without lifting the panel out of the track and rocking them in or out to unlock the panel. With the fasteners 6" O.C. on each side to the panels there is no opportunity for the panels to rock and unlock.

Structall Building Systems my concern was more for the thermal bridging then for the structural holes making it collapse.

2Awesome We use Thermally Broken extrusions to prevent thermal bridging (the black stripe showing on the base channel, window/door C channel and wall wall caps).

+2Awesome A foam structure! I thought it was a steel structure?

It is actually a SIP (structural insulated panel) structure. EPS foam is sandwiched between two pieces of 26ga steel.

Fresh poured concrete is very sloppy & soft when placing anchor bolts. There are little plastic disc & post jigs available that you can tuck up next to the bolts to plumb them up, but they are a fiddly waste of time. After the concrete begins to harden to a modeling clay consistency, builders go to each bolt with a speed square or bullet/mini level and push them plumb; at that point, they won't sag out of plumb as the 'crete cures.

Yes, they are much easier to fit the track over when they are near perpendicular and, frankly, with less thread above the concrete. However, as you see in the remainder of the video, even this can be corrected. We have a photo that shows a more appropriate installation of the anchor bolts on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/structall/16521997785/

+Jon Bishop Now and then, one roof panel might be a bit higher on the ridge, so even though the foam, as evidenced in the video, is actually tight together, the bottom of one panel is about 1/2" lower in elevation at this termination point. Of course, there is trim that will be applied once the fascia is installed. From experience, our contractors have found if you take some of the excess angle trim and place it angle side down on a block of wood with a little tapping with the hammer it will spread to the angle you are looking for and makes for a very strong joint and a finish that matches the fascia.