Frequently Asked Questions! |
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Q: How do you run electrical wires in
panels?
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| A: Foam Laminates panels are provided with 1˝”x 1˝” routed
electrical channels. These channels are located behind the interior drywall skin of
curtain wall panels or in the center of the foam core in structural panels. The channels
run horizontally in the panels at a height of 16” above the finished floor. This
location can be varied at the request of the client. Wiring is run from building corners using wire snakes. Switches and
exterior lighting are commonly found next to door openings. To position electrical boxes
in locations other than on the electrical channel, the wiring is run vertically behind the
door nailers and fed through a manually probed hole in the foam core toward the electrical
box.
If electrical boxes are required in locations other
than near door openings, the following procedure is used. Typically called the "hot
nut" method, a large metal nut is hung from floral wire. The box opening is cut in
the required location and another is cut plumb below this location at the electrical
channel height. The nut is heated with a propane torch and fed from the upper box location
downward toward the electrical channel. This will quickly create the channel required for
wiring that box. |
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| Q: Is plumbing run in panel walls? |
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| A: No, as with conventional framing, running plumbing in exterior walls
is not recommended. Water pipes set in exterior walls are at a much higher risk of
freezing. Piping is run through interior walls to their required locations. |
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| Q: Do I need a crane to install panels? |
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| A: For most houses, a crane is very useful in speeding the application
process along. Wall panels generally do not require a crane for installation.
Roof panels come in two general types, nail base and structural drywall. Nail base
panels are light, single sided units that are generally installed without the need for a
crane. Drywall panels are easily damaged in handling, even in small sizes. Drywall roof
panels are best installed with the use of a crane. For safety reasons, a crane
should also be used for very tall structures and when exceptionally large panels are
required for the project. |
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| Q: How are overhangs framed? |
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| A: Eave overhangs are formed by the roof panels and are completed with a
2x framed ladder detail (diagrams are available). Gable overhangs are completely
framed with a 2x ladder detail when using nail base panels. If structural roof
panels are used, they can be installed to create a self supporting gable overhang. |
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| Q: Will this house be too tight? |
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| A: Stresskin panel houses are tight by nature. All new homes
should be supplied with some form of ventilation. Commonly, mechanical ventilation
is achieved through the use of exhaust fans. All bathroom fans, range hoods, and
clothes dryers should be vented to the outside. By running a high efficiency, quiet
bathroom fan intermittently, proper ventilation can be attained in a cost effective
manner. To provide fresh air into the home, “smart holes” are installed in
exterior walls. These dampered devices allow a metered amount of exterior air to
diffuse into the home. Heat exchange ventilation systems are available but are often
very costly to purchase. Only the homes benefit from such systems. |
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Please Contact
Us With Any Other Questions You May Have! |
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