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Frequently Asked Questions Get answers to your questions about building with the EMERCOR Insulated Panel system and learn why your next home should be built with EMERCOR.
What are Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs? SIPs provide structure and insulation for foundations, floors, walls & roofs. EMERCOR SIPs are comprised of a polyurethane foam core which is sandwiched between standard building materials, i.e. OSB, plywood, drywall, cement board, etc. The result is an engineered panel that provides structural framing, insulation, and exterior sheathing in a solid, one-piece component. What applications can the EMERCOR Insulated Panels be used for? EMERCOR's product line is versatile and can be used for crawlspace and frost wall foundations, insulating the floor system (Insulated Rimboard), cantilevers, garage ceilings, walls and roofs. Where are EMERCOR Insulated Panels made? EMERCOR's state of the art manufacturing facility is located in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Are EMERCOR Insulated Panels strong and durable? EMERCOR Insulated Panels have structural characteristics that are similar to an I-beam making them three times stronger than conventional stud walls. When under pressure or stress the EMERCOR skins are in tension and compression, while the polyurethane foam core resists shear and buckling. EMERCOR's motto - "100% quality, 100% of the time" is embedded into their manufacturing process to deliver products that are durable and perform throughout the life of the home. Will EMERCOR panel skins separate from the foam? EMERCOR's unique manufacturing process eliminates the need to use additional laminates or glues to attach panel skins to the foam core. With EMERCOR's shot mold injection system, the polyurethane foam becomes fused with the actual fibres of the skins material, creating a bond that will never delaminate. What types of skins can be put on the EMERCOR panels? EMERCOR panels can be made with virtually any type or combination of skins. Some of the most common skins used are the following:
If you would like to enquire about a specific type of material for your next building project, please contact our technical department today. Do EMERCOR insulated panels replace stick frame construction? Yes. EMERCOR panels become the structural component of the building and do not require any additional framing to be completed. Why are EMERCOR polyurethane panels a superior alternative to traditional insulation? EMERCOR Insulated Panels provide superior and uniform insulation in comparison to traditional insulation methods of house construction. EMERCOR panels provide a more airtight dwelling which means fewer drafts, lower energy bills and less noise, essentially a more comfortable living and working space for the entire family. Can EMERCOR panels be used for renovations? Yes, EMERCOR Insulated Panels can be used to renovate an existing space or to build an addition to your home. What type of foam does EMERCOR panels use? EMERCOR manufactures their insulated panels with a polyurethane foam core. Boasting one of the highest insulating values (R-values) per inch of all commercially available products on the market, polyurethane foams maximize efficiency, space usage and reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Polyurethane was originally developed as a replacement for rubber and dates back to the beginning of World War II. Today, polyurethanes can be found in virtually everything we touch, from footwear and clothes to upholstered furniture. Are EMERCOR Insulated Panels safe for family, friends and the environment? Yes! EMERCOR is a proud member of Built Green Alberta - a program which promotes sustainable or "green" building practices, and is listed on the Built Green Colorado Checklist. EMERCOR is also a partner of the EnergyStar program, which is a government sponsored program that helps promote products that meet or exceed high levels of energy efficiency. Are EMERCOR Insulated Panel easy to install? Yes! Quick and easy installation can be achieved with the use of standard construction tools. Recommended fasteners are the Olympic Insulated Panel fastener. Adhesive polyurethane spray foams are recommended to seal panel connections on site include HILTIô CF 128-DW Insulating Foam or ENER 42 ENERFOAM. Consult EMERCOR installation guides for detailed fastening recommendations. How do you join EMERCOR panels together? EMERCOR panels are joined by either two strips of OSB called surface "splines" or by a single piece of dimensional lumber. The type of spline used will be determined by properties such as wind speed, weights and seismic forces. How are windows and doors installed in the EMERCOR panels? Rough framing for windows and doors is installed during the fabrication of EMERCOR panels. On site, installation of windows and doors is applied according to the specific manufacturer's instructions. Gaps between the rough framing and window and door frames can be spray foamed to eliminate air leakage. How do you install electrical wiring and plumbing in the EMERCOR panels? To facilitate running electrical wiring through the exterior walls of your home, EMERCOR drills vertical "chases" or channels through the foam cores during the fabrication process. Electricians are then able to use a fish tape to feed electrical wires through the panel chases. Although it is best to try and determine the exact locations of your electrical prior to site construction, EMERCOR has developed a number of simple techniques for running wires to switch plates; wall mounted fixtures, etc. so that electrical chases can be done on site by your electrician. Traditionally, plumbing is kept within the interior walls and floors of your home. However, in situations where exterior wall vent pipes are necessary, chases can be formed in the foam core. Installing island vents or loop vents is also a common practice and can be found in plumbing codes. How do you attach siding to EMERCOR panels? EMERCOR recommends that the application of siding should be in accordance with the specific siding manufacturer's fastening instructions. Typically, the frequency of fastening increases to 12" o.c. How do EMERCOR Insulated Panels protect against moisture? EMERCOR's polyurethane foam core is water resistant and therefore will not allow any type of moisture to penetrate through the panel. What is "off gassing" and does this occur with EMERCOR SIPs? Off gassing is the release of chemicals from non-metallic substances under ambient or greater pressure conditions. Off gassing can be related to what's popularly known as the "new car smell." Polyurethane chemicals contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's) which can be released (or "off gassed") during the production of the polyurethane foam. However, cured rigid polyurethane foam products such as EMERCOR SIPs, DO NOT release VOC's. Does the insulation used in the Emercor product deplete ozone in the atmosphere? No. EMERCOR SIPs are HCFC Free. All products use a combination of water and HFC 245fa which is also non ozone depleting. How do EMERCOR SIPs perform in a fire? "All organic materials, regardless or whether they contain fire retardants, should be considered combustible and handled accordingly." Visit www.polyurethane.org for more information. In residential applications, the interior surface of polyurethane panels must be covered with Ω" drywall or an equivalent thermal barrier. EMERCOR polyurethane foam has been tested in accordance with ASTM E-84 (Standard Test Methods for surface burning characteristics of Building Materials and have a flame spread of 15 and a smoke developed number of 285. Are EMERCOR SIPs toxic in a fire? As polyurethane is organic, the major toxic material when burned is the same as any organic material - Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide. How are EMERCOR SIPs manufactured? EMERCOR manufactures their polyurethane foam core panels using a high quality shot mold injection system. The panels are built by creating an empty cavity between two materials. The assembled panel is then placed into a custom engineered hydraulic machine which contains an expansion pressure of up to 2000lbs per square inch. Once the panels are enclosed within the hydraulic press, polyurethane foam is injected into the open cavity. Expanding with a pressure of 432lbs per square foot and concealed within the assembled mold, the polyurethane foam becomes fused with the actual fibres of the material used. What is the warranty? EMERCOR comes with a 20-year limited warranty that provides comprehensive coverage from defects in the manufacturing, materials and workmanship. How much does an EMERCOR home cost? According to the Structural Insulated Panel Association, building with SIPs generally costs about the same as building with wood-frame construction, when you factor in the labor savings resulting from shorter construction time and less job-site waste. How do I order EMERCOR? If you would like to build your next home with EMERCOR products please contact our technical representatives at 1-866-EMERCOR. |
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