Trained and ready (with SIPs)!

Walk to class? We barely had to do that...it was right out our front door in our driveway!

A primary goal of Our Peanut Project and the deep energy retrofit is to showcase SIPs and nail based panels and offer hands-on training to learn proper installation.

SIPSchool, in partnership with  Mid-Atlantic Foams  (provider of the panels) and Rising Sun (concept to construction) hosted two day-long workshops at our house July 20 and 21. After a solid week of extreme weather, the skies parted and we were able to get down and dirty, er...actually, up (on scaffolding) and dusty.  

Al describing a nail-based panel while Chris looks on.

Over the two days we had a diverse turnout of students: do-it yourself-ers, university students, a couple of builders, and a code enforcement officer with a keen green building vision for Morgantown. For those who were not with us, here's a recap of the days!

After introductions, Al Cobb with SIPSchool started with an overview of the different types of panels used, what they are made of, needed tools of the trade, safety and logistics.  




Following the overview, Al alongside Chris of  Rising Sun led a tour of the exterior of the house and discussed installation techniques, explained choices Chris made about incorporating panels into our design,and fielded questions from the class.  Learning in this environment is hugely effective and Al is a natural (and enthusiastic) communicator and educator!

Al discussing the importance of air flow between the exterior layers of the house.  Contrary to popular belief, air flow behind your siding is hugely important. Chris and Al discussed various ways to facilitate air exchange to keep moisture away from the house.

 

After the walk around, the class geared up for on-the-job training.   Chris and his Rising Sun crew had previously erected scaffolding on the far side of our house, the final side of house to receive panels from Mid-Atlantic Foams to finalize our retrofit project.

 

preparing to install nail-base

Nail-base panel right on top of house slats

up on the scaffolding

Nail base panel sealed with foam and 2x4 right atop of exiting house walls

Preparing the nail-base panel

Cut, then foam

Add 2x4

secure 2 x 4

Seal with foam

Nail-base panels installed part way up the house wall

By wrapping the entire house with SIPS, the house is the first deep energy retrofit of its kind in West Virginia.  In fact, now that it's complete, we believe this house to be the most energy efficient retrofit in all of West Virginia. We'll get another energy audit soon and compare the changes...stay posted!

Now for the siding...

To learn more about this part of the project, check out these previous posts:

For the good of peanut’s bare feet

A roof above our heads