According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) is a pre-fabricated, insulated structural element for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. It has high R-values, high strength-to-weight ratios, and consists of a 4- to 8-inch-thick foam board insulation sandwiched between oriented strand boards (OSB).

All of that sounds good and very technical, but what does it mean to you, me and the environment? To the builder, it means:

• Faster construction. SIPs combine structural framing, insulation, and sheathing into just one step.
• Less framing labor. The SIP system is pre-built, requiring fewer framers.
• Less job site waste. SIPs reduce job site waste and the cost of disposal.
• Less material theft. SIPs are more difficult to steal because of their pre-constructed panel size.
• Fully customized. SIPs reduce the margin for framing errors. The panels are numbered to correspond with a computerized CAD panel blueprint.
• Extreme strength. Floor, wall, and roofing panels have survived natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and earthquakes far superior to traditional construction integrity because SIP loads are distributed across the entire panel.

To the homeowner, it means: (more…)

Being conservative with water is just common sense, now and as the future unfolds. Developing smart water conservation habits at home is a responsible choice for your family, community, and the planet.

“There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.” This is the first of 100 Water-Saving Tips for each of four regions in the U.S. – Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast. Many, if not all, of the tips shown for each region are applicable to all regions.

Here are some excellent tips from Water Use It Wisely and other water conservation sources to consider implementing immediately: (more…)

Pretty cool and worth mentioning. Shannon shows us how she and the REX Project deconstruct a Portland home and reuse each material again to make a completely new home.

Via Charles and Hudson