A Sourcebook for Green and Sustainable Building

Structural Wall Panels

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Structural Wall Panels Contents:

CSI NUMBERS
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES

RESOURCES

CSI NUMBER:

DEFINITION:

Structural panels are typically two outer layers of structural sheathing material separated by an insulated core. They are made in different sizes according to the job's requirements.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Structural panels replace the standard stud/insulation/sheathing wall system. Some panels have sheetrock mounted on the inside portion, and/or siding on the exterior. Most have sheathing such as OSB for facings.

Panels can be fabricated with three types of foam cores: molded expanded polystyrene (MEPS), extruded polystyrene (XEPS), and urethane (polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are types of urethane). There are several options for facings: plywood, waferboard, oriented strand board (OSB), sheetrock, and metal. Exterior surface materials such as T-1-11 siding are offered by some suppliers. XEPS and urethane foam use CFC's or HCFC's as blowing agents. MEPS does not use any ozone-depleting chemicals. For credit from the Green Builder Program for this option, MEPS insulation or an alternative that has no ozone-depleting chemicals must be used. Additionally, waferboard, OSB, sheetrock and/or siding need to be used as facings.

Foam insulation can attract insects. Some companies use borates as an insect barrier in the foam insulation. This is a preferred strategy for protecting the panels. Borates are also topically applied to the facings by some companies.

Structural grade adhesives should be used to bind the facings to the foam core. Use the manufacturer warranty as a gauge of the quality of the product. Poor adhesive qualities can cause panel failure. Select panels that are certified to meet building codes.

Structural panels offer very effective insulating qualities, rapid installation, and consistent quality (minimizing waste). The use of OSB or waferboard for facings is considered a positive use of wood resources.

Commercial
Status		 Implementation
Issues
technology suppliers cost financing public regulatory
Structural Wall yellow yellow yellow green green red

Legend
green Satisfactory
yellow Satisfactory in most conditions
red Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
black Unsatisfactory or Difficult

COMMERCIAL STATUS

Technology:

Many manufacturers make structural panels. Quality control is inconsistent in the industry and product development is continuing.

SUPPLIERS:

Available locally and regionally.

COST:

$1.75 to $2.75 per square foot or higher (material only). This can be slightly higher than conventional framing costs.

IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

FINANCING:

Available if panels are code compliant.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Good

REGULATORY:

Not all panels have been tested for code compliance. Make certain that the panel as a whole is code compliant, not just the components of the panel. This information is provided by the manufacturer.

GUIDELINES

  • 1.0 Ordering panels

  • 2.0 Panel details

    RESOURCES

    PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

    Add your company to this list!

    COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS:

    Add your company to this list!

    Manufacturers using MEPS (for other manufacturers see General Assistance section); some may also offer other foam insulations; not all may be interested in serving the central Texas area

    GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

    Add your information resource to this list!

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    This file last updated on Friday, March 24, 2006