Home builders have a new choice for energy-efficient, durable homes as OceanSafe markets a new line of homes using its steel structural insulated panels. OceanSafe partnered with Road Home Builders to produce a line of green homes using the panels made from a sandwich of galvalume steel combined with an expanded polystyrene core. The homes will be marketed as Sunconomy Homes through a nationwide network of builders.
These state-of-the-art dwellings will include thermal and photovoltaic systems with the goal of attaining net-zero energy usage. Homes will be capable of withstanding severe weather and also offer healthy living spaces for families. Construction of the first Sunconomy Home built with OceanSafe panels is expected to begin in January 2011.
The steel structural insulated panels (SSIPs) will be used as external, load-bearing walls as well as form an integral part of the roof system to create a building envelope that OceanSafe claims is impervious to the destructive forces of nature, including hurricanes and earthquakes.
Construction with structural insulated panels typically takes less time than standard framing, saving time and construction waste. The homes will use OceanSafes’ proprietary Insuladd ceramic thermal barrier coatings for insulation. To reduce use of fossil fuels, each home will feature Ontility solar thermal and PV solar systems to heat water and provide electricity.
According to OceanSafe, the steel panels offer advantages over similar panels made from wood because the steel is impervious to insects and mold that could cause air quality problems in a home.
OceanSafe will supply the “shell” for each Sunconomy Homes building, and together with Road Home Builders, will offer hands-on training classes using materials, systems and designs to educate builders and construction crews in the best methods to properly build Sunconomy Homes.
“They will learn our techniques for building these safe, energy-efficient homes and bring this know-how back to their companies across the nation,” said Joseph Basilice, president of OceanSafe.
Sunconomy officials estimate the new homes “will pay people to live in them,” said Larry Haines, managing partner of Road Home Builders. “By reducing utility bills and saving money on insurance rates and maintenance costs, home buyers now have a choice to make between modern, energy-efficient and healthy homes that last a lifetime and homes built to outdated, inefficient standards.”
Sunconomy Homes will train builders and architects in design and construction of the homes using the steel structural insulated panels.
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