The Martel BuildFor Vermont homeowners Shawn and Matilda Martel, those savings amount to big bucks. They've hired Panel Pros to assemble their SIP home shell. On day one, the builders watch as trucks carrying the first load of structural insulated panels roll up to the site. They have a big challenge ahead...to assemble the shell of the Martel family's SIP home in only four days. This team is all about speed, and they don't miss a beat, even in the 94 degree heat.
Before he can drive the first nail, crew foreman Brian Gogan discovers the foundation for the house is off...way off (figure A). The building has to be square, and it's not easy to make on-site adjustments to fit the prefabricated pieces. Construction has stopped cold, and the crew's goal of setting the floor panels by day's end now seems out of reach. As Brian deals with the uneven foundation problem, the rest of the guys start to lay out sill seal and install the sill plate. Five o'clock rolls around and the day ends without one panel being set.
Brian and his SIP crew start another day setting the floor beam and band panels around the foundation's perimeter. Special glue is applied ensuring an airtight seal (figure B) and six-inch epoxy-coated screws (figure C) are fastened to the band panel ends.
Next, the guys prep the lolly columns that will support the floor beams. Brian and Mike carefully check the plans and use a transit to take measurements for the exact location of the pads which hold the columns in place.
The heat doesn't let up, and neither does this crew. They kick it up a notch and finally, there's a glimmer of progress. The crew manages to complete the floor system by the end of day two. Even with prefab they faced tough hurdles from the starting block.
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