Affordable housing and commercial building construction initiatives often grapple with how best to employ cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or sustainability. Foam plastic insulating sheathing (FPIS) can help address this challenge by offering an optimized approach to construction.
First, FPIS provides a cost-effective solution for minimum energy code compliance and also high performance homes and commercial buildings by reducing heating and cooling costs over the life of the building. This results in lower utility bills, making home or building ownership more affordable on a monthly basis and in the long term. By contributing to the energy efficiency and sustainability of a building, it also reduces harmful climate and environmental effects associated with use of non-renewable energy sources (i.e., coal, natural gas, fuel oil, etc.) to heat and cool buildings.
Second, foam plastic sheathing is lightweight, easy to install, has multiple applications and benefits, and can be used to fulfill multiple code requirements (air barrier, water-resistive barrier, vapor control, foundation frost protection, etc.) to reduce construction time, materials, and labor costs. Its ability to protect the structure from the damaging effects of moisture helps to sustain healthy and durable buildings while minimizing maintenance expenses. Overall, the use of FPIS provides opportunities to optimize the design and construction of affordable housing and commercial buildings by making them more sustainable, comfortable, healthy, and cost-effective at the time of construction and for years to come.
At IBS 2024, Fernando Pages Ruiz and Jay Crandell, P.E. presented “A Hard-Dollar Approach to Design & Construct In-Demand, Entry-Level Homes.” This session (presented here in two parts) highlights the untapped potential of entry-level homes and unveils the essential tools and techniques to save thousands of dollars on the cost of a home. (Download handout)
To help leverage and implement an optimal use of FPIS in the construction of affordable homes and commercial buildings, refer to the various resources listed below.
Take a deep dive into 2021 IRC Wall Bracing Provisions, steps for code compliance, and additional resources recently added to the Structural Resources application page. Note the timestamps provided to help you navigate the content of this detailed video.
Use these free tools to help assess U-factors and vapor retarder options for steel and wood frame wall assemblies using foam plastic insulating sheathing (FPIS) as well as wood frame wall bracing to optimize affordable, best-value solutions in overall wall assembly design.
At IBS 2024, Fernando Pages Ruiz and Jay Crandell, P.E. presented “A Hard-Dollar Approach to Design & Construct In-Demand, Entry-Level Homes.” This session highlights the untapped potential of entry-level homes and unveils the essential tools and techniques to save thousands of dollars on the cost of a home.
At IBS 2024, Fernando Pages Ruiz and Jay Crandell, P.E. presented “A Hard-Dollar Approach to Design & Construct In-Demand, Entry-Level Homes.” This session highlights the untapped potential of entry-level homes and unveils the essential tools and techniques to save thousands of dollars on the cost of a home.
Consider 2x4 wall framing with cavity + continuous insulation instead of 2x6 framing with cavity-only insulation. Our FACTS sheet breaks down the benefits – and SAVINGS!
Foam plastic insulating sheathing is a very effective means of insulating the interior or exterior of foundation walls, preventing heat loss and lowering the risk of condensation issues. Use of foam sheathing on foundations for frost protection can save thousands of dollars in construction cost and energy bills.
While building trends may change, one thing does not: the need to build quality homes at affordable prices. And in today’s building market, sustainability is an important part of building homes that last so homeowners can keep long-term costs down. This book by Fernando Pages Ruiz provides an updated sensibility to the building decisions every homeowner must make in today’s challenging construction environment, whether they are building a brand-new house or renovating one they love.
Fernando Pages Ruiz’s mission in this book is to simplify the remodeling process from start to finish, help you make the right decisions, and steer you clear of the pitfalls that can cost you time and money.
In the Aug/Sept 2022 issue of Fine Homebuilding, Fernando Pagés Ruiz discusses how he omitted the OSB on this spec home to save money, while still making sure his build had reliable structural quality.
In an article for Vinyl Siding Institute, Jay Crandell, P.E. highlights some key resources to help with code compliance when considering combined applications of vinyl siding (including insulated vinyl siding) and foam plastic insulating sheathing (FPIS) products on wood frame walls.
From NAHB’s Home Innovation Research Labs, the handbook was designed to help builders learn cost-effective methods of home building with a systematic approach to design and construction.
This HUD resource posits that a sustainable future for America requires sustainable buildings. And sustainable buildings must be durable buildings. And while the mention of the word “sustainability” is usually a trigger for designers and builders to think about energy efficiency and green building materials, building durability cannot be overlooked as a critical pillar of sustainability.
Through this Energy Earthshot, DOE aims to reduce the upfront cost of upgrading a home by at least 50% while reducing energy bills by 20% within a decade.