Why should I consider using the ThermaSteel Green Building System over conventional "stick built" structures?

It will save you substantial money. You will have a stronger, quieter, more energy efficient, superior structure when you incorporate ThermaSteel Green components.

STRENGTH / INTEGRITY
Years in the field, not hours in the lab, give ThermaSteel Green Building Systems the advantage. Extensive structural testing has been performed by independent laboratories under ASTM E 72, C-518-76, E 96-80, E 119, E 90, E 413 to evaluate the structural integrity of the panels and to obtain building code compliance. ThermaSteel regularly performs the following tests on all sizes of the panels: Axial Compressive Load Tests; Racking Shear Load Test and Transverse Load Tests.

Hurricane Test: In August of 1998, a standard 5 ½� x 4’ x 8’ ThermaSteel wall panel assembly, reinforced on the exterior side with 24 gauge, G-90 galvanized metal studs closely spaced, was subjected to a series of test protocols required by Miami-Dade County, Florida, at the Hurricane Test Laboratory, Inc. in Riviera Beach, Florida. Three different specimens of ThermaSteel wall assemblies passed with flying colors.

THERMAL ENERGY PERFORMANCE
ThermaSteel wall panels are ENERGY STARâ„¢ compliant. The ThermaSteel panel provides not only structural integrity, but excellent insulation properties as well. The EPS component of the panel is solid (except where wire chases are incorporated) and does not provide voids or allow air movement through the walls.

The unique design and utilization of the steel structural members within the panel provides for a thermal break across the panel. In "stick-built" walls, each stud is a thermal conductor from one wall surface to the other. Quoted R-Values are only for the properly installed insulation between the wood studs. (Look at any thermal photo). Due to the low permeability properties of EPS (water resistance or ability of panel to breathe), ever-present moisture does not affect the R-Values or thermal performance.

The unique design of the panel and the use of EPS as a component provide little or no R-Value drift or loss and results in a stable thermal performance for the life of the structure. Conventional types of batt and blown-in insulation may lose up to 50% of effective R-Value due to compression, dust and moisture retention. Even Urethane foam loses its R-Value over time. The R-Value of EPS remains the same in year 20 as on day 1.

The thermal insulating properties of expanded polystyrene are well known. In addition, ThermaSteel Green panels are designed with thermal breaks throughout. The steel studs are designed so as not to create a thermal bridge from inside to outside of the panel. Even the shiplap joints preserve the integrity of this thermal break. As determined by the Thermal Resistance Test (ASTM C 518-76 Aged R-Value):

US Metric @ 40F @ 75F Water Vapor Transmission
2 3/4 (70 mm) R-13 ; U or (k)=0.07 R-12 ; U or (k)=0.08
3 1/2 (89 mm) R-16 ; U or (k)=0.06 R-15 ; U or (k)=0.066 .6 Perms
4 (102 mm) R-18 ; U or (k)=0.05 R-17 ; U or (k)=0.058
5 1/2 (140 mm) R-24 ; U or (k)=0.04 R-23 ; U or (k)=0.04 .5 Perms
7 1/2 (190 mm) R-34 ; U or (k)=0.03 R-32 ; U or (k)=0.03

Due to the reduction of air infiltration; elimination of thermal bridges; effect of the interior and exterior cladding; effect of ship lap joints; the effective R & U values may be 34% over theoretical. For example, a 3 1/2 wall panel with no penetrating metal with exterior and interior finish is effective R-22; 5 1/2 wall panel with no penetrating 2 x 6 with exterior and interior finish is effective R-33 (k-value .030). 7 is effective R-45.6 (k-value .023)

The R-Value only tells half the story for various materials used in wall assemblies and is not a measure of the thermal efficiency of a house. (Wood studs have an R-Value of approximately R-1 per inch and steel studs actually act as a heat sink). Rather, it is a measure of the resistance to heat loss by conduction, convection, and radiation of various materials. Heat loss occurs in other ways -- through cracks, poorly fitted windows and doors, and other forms of air infiltration. A conventionally framed house using batt insulation may experience considerable air infiltration.

The ThermaSteel Green panel, due to its design and use of material, is extremely effective in limiting these forms of heat loss. A ThermaSteel home tested with the standard blower door pressure of 50 PASCAL’s was determined to have 35% lower air infiltration than a comparable wood frame house.

Owners of ThermaSteel buildings have verified significant savings in utility bills when proper installation procedures are followed and the panels are utilized to their fullest extent. For example, a 180,000 SF senior living facility in Florida is saving thousands of dollars each month. Energy costs have been verified at $0.025 per SF of living area. A 28,000 SF single family residence is recording energy costs of $0.018 per SF of living area.

In a study conducted by energy scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory* the stated R-Value of virtually every product on the market evaluated in the “real world� of thermal breaks such as, corners, windows, and doors and stud walls was drastically reduced EXCEPT Structural Insulated Panels. For example: A 2� x 6� stud wall 24� on center with R-19 fiberglass batts tested out with an R-Value of 13.7. A Structural Insulated Panel wall tested at R-21.7. That means that the Structural Insulated Panels out performed a 2� x 6� stud wall by 58%.

*ASHRAE Journal March 1996, Christian and Kosny