freegreen's who's next design competition

[jason_contentdg]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you all know why you haven't seen an urban facelift project from us recently.  On March 1st we sent in our entry for the Who's next competition, so we've been busy using all of our free time to design an under 1800 sf, sustainable, easily build-able, and cost effective home for the contest.  We had a great time and now all of the entries are up for public viewing and vote.  Obviously, we could use your support and vote.  There are almost 400 entries and public voting counts as 50%.

You can visit our entry, the Duval here: http://www.freegreen.com/whosnext/view/plan-general.aspx?id=309 and can vote for ours using the link at the bottom of the page or view the other entries at the top of the page.

If you vote, you'll be sent an email to verify your vote by clicking a link. If you don't verify by clicking the link, the vote won't be counted.

To see more about our entry and a video fly-through of our design please visit our site: http://www.contentdg.com/our-free-green-whos-next-competition-entry/

Thanks for your time and hopefully for your vote. 

[billy]

Well done. I voted.

[jason_contentdg]

Thanks for the vote Billy, and thanks to everyone else that's voted.  We've made a big jump today and are about 12 votes away from the second page and about 50 away from making the front page.

[buckethead]

I gave a vote.

What were the specs for the windows you used?

How do SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) rate relative to Florida Building Codes?

Did you consider ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms)?

Both of these products are more commonplace elswhere, although ICFs are somtimes used here. I have not seen SIPs utilized in our area before.

[jason_contentdg]

Buckethead,

Thanks for the vote and questions.

What were the specs for the windows you used?
The windows for this particular design are Marvin, aluminum clad exterior, bare wood interior, and with Low E II with Argon insulating glass.  We use quite a few different window manufacturers depending on the design and budget.  This home is actually quite simple, so we thought we could spend a little more on the windows.

How do SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) rate relative to Florida Building Codes?
SIPS have Florida product approval and are starting to be used more in the area, we actually have a few homes that should be under construction soon using SIPS.  But I do agree, for the most part our area residents (consumers, engineers, and builders) are really unfamiliar with SIPS.

Did you consider ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms)?
I have actually used ICF's before and think they are great, for this project we thought the budget just wasn't there for them.

Thanks again!

[buckethead]

Great responses!

I forgot to ask how SIPs compare in cost to a more traditional "stick framed" structure.

It has long occured to me that they could actually prove cheaper if adopted on a large scale, but it would be interesting to know how much the square foot price was elevated by using them. (An eyeball guesstimation as I realize there are factors which could alter the formula)

[jason_contentdg]

Material pricing is a little higher than traditional stick frame construction, but the labor is less.  They go up faster and obviously your sheathing, framing, and insulation all go up at the same time.  So....cost ends up being a little higher, we've heard as low as no cost difference, to 20% higher. (These are not total sf cost numbers)

[buckethead]

With that in mind it seems it could alter the price of a build by 2% - 3%.

This seems nominal when considering the adoption of a new, highly energy efficient system. It could be that we are on the cusp of smarter building and you are right at the forefront! Great work!

I need to learn the SIP system! (Actually it is quite simple, I just haven't done one yet.)

[Dog Walker]

We looked at SIPS and ICF for a building addition.  Ended up going with ICF's  and stucco finish. Just didn't like the oriented strand board that was on the outside of the SIPS and didn't like the complication of electrical and plumbing with SIP's. 

With the ICF system, which should last forever, we used an electric chain saw to cut channels in the foam for romex and PEX plumbing pipes.  Really quick to do, but the foam pellets went everywhere!  Drywall over the interior went up fast and absolutely flat since it wasn't bridging anything.  6" ICF system also gave us a 200mph+ wind load calculation which is really comforting.

Four years along we are still really happy with the decision.  Cost was about 10%+ concrete block.

[jason_contentdg]

We looked at SIPS and ICF for a building addition.  Ended up going with ICF's  and stucco finish. Just didn't like the oriented strand board that was on the outside of the SIPS and didn't like the complication of electrical and plumbing with SIP's.  

With the ICF system, which should last forever, we used an electric chain saw to cut channels in the foam for romex and PEX plumbing pipes.  Really quick to do, but the foam pellets went everywhere!  Drywall over the interior went up fast and absolutely flat since it wasn't bridging anything.  6" ICF system also gave us a 200mph+ wind load calculation which is really comforting.

Four years along we are still really happy with the decision.  Cost was about 10%+ concrete block.

I do agree, plumbing and wiring is more complicated with SIPS. They do have chases cut inside of the system, but still there usually is more cuts and chases that have to be made in the field, no matter how well you plan it.

As far as the OSB, most of the SIPS now have sealers applied to the exterior of the OSB for insect and moisture control.

Glad you like the ICF system, and for a stucco finish it really is the way to go.