Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an “All Rounder”?

A: “All Rounder” is a cricket term that describes a player that has outstanding skills as a batsman and a bowler, versatile and valuable. The kind of player that you can build a team around. Much like the All Rounder in cricket, our ThermaSteel® Structural Insulated Panels are versatile and strong. They can be used for exterior, interior, floor, ceiling and roof applications.

Q: What is a Structural Insulated Panel?

A: Generically speaking, a structural insulated panel or “SIP” is a pre-engineered and factory manufactured wall, floor or roof section. This basic technology has been around for more than half a century. Some 25 years ago, the founder of ThermaSteel® took this basic concept and vastly improved upon it. The ThermaSteel® SIP consists of a steel frame with modified expanded polystyrene (“EPS”) injected into it to form a rigid, remarkably strong and energy efficient framing section. This forms a light weight, composite building component that provides structural framing, insulation, sheathing, and a vapor barrier that can be easily installed all at once.

Q: How can “Styrofoam” be strong enough to build houses?

A: Expanded Poly Styrene (EPS) is far denser and stronger that your basic styrofoam cup or packing material. EPS has been used as road beds, retaining walls and in general construction for years. It is resistant to heat differentials, seismic stress, and insects. It is also resilient, rather than brittle, and is a perfect building material where severe weather or earthquake threats are a fact of life. The EPS that is used in ThermaSteel® panels is especially dense and will withstand the impact of high speed projectiles. In addition, the EPS is modified by the supplier of the raw material to resist flame spread and is in full compliance with all applicable building codes.

Q: Won’t the panels just get blown away in a big storm?

A: ThermaSteel® panels are framed with structural steel and tied directly into the building’s foundation. The wall system has passed rigorous cyclonic load testing conducted by the South Florida Testing Laboratory. As an added precaution hurricane straps are recommended to further anchor the panels into your concrete footers or pad. One of our affiliate’s customers sent us pictures of his house extension that survived Hurricane Katrina. This was a sad but perfect real life comparison of traditional construction to ThermaSteel®. The only part of his house that was left standing after the storm was the part built with ThermaSteel®.

Q: Is there any energy saving advantage to using ThermaSteel® panels?

A: Yes! ThermaSteel® provides excellent insulation properties and are ENERGY STAR® compliant. The thermal insulating properties of expanded polystyrene are well known. EPS has been used in insulation for years. The EPS component of a ThermaSteel® panel is solid (except where wire chases are incorporated) and does not provide voids or allow air movement through the walls. Additionally, the unique design and utilization of the steel structural members within the panel provides a thermal break across the panel.

R-value is a measure of the resistance to temperature migration or penetration by conduction, convection, and radiation through various materials. ThermaSteel® products are rated at an R-value of four per inch of width. A 5.5 inch exterior SIP will therefore have an R-Value of 22, while a 7.5 inch panel will have an R-value of 30.

Q: What are the cost and construction advantages of ThermaSteel® brand SIPs over traditional construction?

A: When a ThermaSteel® wall is erected it is a structural load bearing rigid composite panel that provides structural framing, insulation, sheathing, and a vapor barrier in one high-tech step. Structures utilizing ThermaSteel® can be erected very quickly using unskilled labor with reasonable supervision. Of course this results in significant savings in labor costs, construction loan interest, and permits the project to become available for its residential or commercial use that much faster. Other economic advantages include:

• No waiting for materials. ThermaSteel® comes complete with all necessary panels, fasteners, and headers.
  
• Door and window openings are already there. Openings are created as specified in your plans at our factory.
• No waste. Unlike traditional building methods where lumber and other materials are either wasted or vulnerable to theft, ThermaSteel® panels are pre-engineered and move directly from the shipping container to the point of installation. There is also no waste due to rotted, warped, or otherwise substandard lumber.
• Reduced need for skilled trades. With a reasonable level of supervision just about anyone can become a competent erector of ThermaSteel® panels. This is especially critical where skilled framers and carpenters are in short supply.
• Solid Backing for finishes. ThermaSteel® can accommodate any exterior or interior finish and provides a solid backing and wide steel studs at standard 16 inch centers for fasteners or anchors. This speeds installation and provides a more secure and solid wall.

A: By eliminating all wood and cellulose products from the construction process, ThermaSteel® eliminates the attraction of insects to the structure and host environment for molds.

Q: Is ThermaSteel® a truly “green” construction system?

A: Compared to other traditional building methods, ThermaSteel® is the green choice. When properly installed, ThermaSteel® is an energy efficient system that has been given an ENERGY STAR® rating. The panels are made of recyclable steel and the EPS is also a recyclable byproduct of petroleum refinement. ThermaSteel® panels have even been used by competitors in alternative energy competitions such as the Solar Decathlon® in Washington, DC and would certainly be a positive consideration in any construction seeking the US Green Building Council’s LEED® Certification.

Q: How can I get an estimate?

A: The process is pretty simple…just click here and follow the directions. Or give us a call or send an email and we will be glad to walk you through the process. If you have building plans that you can forward either electronically or by regular mail, we will be glad to supply you with a written estimate. Our standard order legal provisions are available right here.