Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 267
Green Note
In addition to advanced framing, other alternative green
framing methods are sometimes used. Double stud walls
and truss walls use an additional layer of framing and
insulation on the outside of the structure to eliminate
thermal bridges and add insulation to a structure.
These systems can be labor intensive to build and can
substantially add to the overall cost of construction.
However, the owner can often recover those costs over
time through energy savings.
11.13 Structural
Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are panels made
with OSB or plywood sheathing on the exterior side,
an insulating foam core, a structural panel, and usu-
ally OSB on the inside, Figure 11‑46. SIPs may be
manufactured with an interior wall finish, but OSB
is more common. SIPs are available in sizes ranging
from 4′ × 6′ to 8′ × 24′. They are ordered cut to specific
sizes and shapes for the job, with each panel numbered
to correspond with a number on the plans. Openings,
such as for windows, are usually cut out before the SIP
is shipped to the jobsite.
SIPs provide several advantages. Although they cost
more than the materials for a conventionally framed
wall, the cost of building a house with SIPs is about the
same because of the savings in labor. They are especially
energy efficient because they have few, if any, openings in
the insulated foam and tight-fitting joints in the interior
and exterior sheathing. SIPs also save on materials. The
National Association of Home Builders has estimated
that construction of a conventional 2000 square-foot
house produces about 7000 pounds of waste. With SIPs
there is practically no waste during construction.
SIPs can be used for walls and roofs. To erect a SIP
wall, a sole plate is nailed to the floor platform, simi-
lar to what is done for a stick-built wall. The plate is set
back from the edge of the floor a distance equal to the
thickness of the exterior sheathing on the SIP. A heated
tool is used to cut the foam in the SIP back far enough
along the bottom edge to accommodate the sole plate,
Figure 11‑47. The SIP is then set down on the sole plate
with the sheathing slipping over each side of the plate.
The sheathing is then nailed to the plate. Where panels
must fit side by side, the foam along the side of the SIP
is routed out a distance of half the thickness of a 2×6
(assuming the wall has 5 1/2″ of foam) on the edge of
each panel. A 2×6 is inserted half its thickness into the
space created and nailed in place. That panel is erected
as previously described. The second panel is slid up
next to the first, so the 2×6 is completely enclosed in
the two panels. The second panel is then nailed to the
2×6, forming a strong, tight joint. Caulking is applied
to all joints before they are closed, so the wall will be air
tight and well insulated. Whole walls can be assembled
on the ground, then hoisted into place, Figure 11‑48.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑46. A SIP has structural panels on the outside and
a foam core on the inside.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑47. The sole plate is set back from the edge of
the floor to accommodate the sheathing on the SIP. Notice
that a scrap piece of sheathing is used as a spacer to
provide a place for the inner sheathing to slip behind the
adjoining wall.
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 267
Green Note
In addition to advanced framing, other alternative green
framing methods are sometimes used. Double stud walls
and truss walls use an additional layer of framing and
insulation on the outside of the structure to eliminate
thermal bridges and add insulation to a structure.
These systems can be labor intensive to build and can
substantially add to the overall cost of construction.
However, the owner can often recover those costs over
time through energy savings.
11.13 Structural
Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are panels made
with OSB or plywood sheathing on the exterior side,
an insulating foam core, a structural panel, and usu-
ally OSB on the inside, Figure 11‑46. SIPs may be
manufactured with an interior wall finish, but OSB
is more common. SIPs are available in sizes ranging
from 4′ × 6′ to 8′ × 24′. They are ordered cut to specific
sizes and shapes for the job, with each panel numbered
to correspond with a number on the plans. Openings,
such as for windows, are usually cut out before the SIP
is shipped to the jobsite.
SIPs provide several advantages. Although they cost
more than the materials for a conventionally framed
wall, the cost of building a house with SIPs is about the
same because of the savings in labor. They are especially
energy efficient because they have few, if any, openings in
the insulated foam and tight-fitting joints in the interior
and exterior sheathing. SIPs also save on materials. The
National Association of Home Builders has estimated
that construction of a conventional 2000 square-foot
house produces about 7000 pounds of waste. With SIPs
there is practically no waste during construction.
SIPs can be used for walls and roofs. To erect a SIP
wall, a sole plate is nailed to the floor platform, simi-
lar to what is done for a stick-built wall. The plate is set
back from the edge of the floor a distance equal to the
thickness of the exterior sheathing on the SIP. A heated
tool is used to cut the foam in the SIP back far enough
along the bottom edge to accommodate the sole plate,
Figure 11‑47. The SIP is then set down on the sole plate
with the sheathing slipping over each side of the plate.
The sheathing is then nailed to the plate. Where panels
must fit side by side, the foam along the side of the SIP
is routed out a distance of half the thickness of a 2×6
(assuming the wall has 5 1/2″ of foam) on the edge of
each panel. A 2×6 is inserted half its thickness into the
space created and nailed in place. That panel is erected
as previously described. The second panel is slid up
next to the first, so the 2×6 is completely enclosed in
the two panels. The second panel is then nailed to the
2×6, forming a strong, tight joint. Caulking is applied
to all joints before they are closed, so the wall will be air
tight and well insulated. Whole walls can be assembled
on the ground, then hoisted into place, Figure 11‑48.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑46. A SIP has structural panels on the outside and
a foam core on the inside.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑47. The sole plate is set back from the edge of
the floor to accommodate the sheathing on the SIP. Notice
that a scrap piece of sheathing is used as a spacer to
provide a place for the inner sheathing to slip behind the
adjoining wall.