Zip pannels

Ok, there is a product out there some of you may or may not be familiar with, these are called Zip Pannels.  Honestly they are a good product, well built and strong, with a correct installation they work well.  However, they are very expensive, and honestly pointless.....  Good old OSB sheeting with an Ice and Watershield over the joints works everybit aswell and will save you big $$ in your wallet.

Here is how Zips work,

The Zip pannel replaces your exterior sheeting (generally OSB).  It is a condensed osb product that has reduced Formaldehyde.  It also has a thick layer of vynal type moisture barrier already on the exterior.  The theory behind this is that you wont need to use a conventional house wrap (Tyvek) and it will save you money on that end.  But it doesnt, they are so expensive that you dont save any money.  Then they come with a specialty tape to seal all the joints with, and of course a specialty tool to use with it.  All in all it is a green alternative to regular sheeting that is roughly 25% more expensive and doesnt not provide you with anything more than bragging rights.

Sheathing generally serves as a secondary weather barrier behind the exterior finish. It can also be the primary substrate for attaching the finish layer, and often provides shear diagonal bracing for the structure.

The most common sheathing materials for residential and light commercial construction are plywood and oriented-strand board (OSB). Plywood requires trees of a diameter large enough for veneers to be peeled off as the cylindrical core is turned on a lathe. OSB can be manufactured from fast-growing trees of relatively low commercial value, and uses a higher percentage of the tree. OSB sheathing and wood I-joist framing, used together, can reduce wood requirements dramatically while providing superior structural integrity.

Most OSB and plywood uses phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesive that give off-gasses less formaldehyde than the urea-formaldehyde (UF) commonly used in interior particleboard and paneling. Some OSB uses primarily a polyurethane-type (MDI) resin for its adhesive; this OSB emits no formaldehyde but is more toxic in its uncured state, placing factory workers at risk.

Recycled-content sheathing is available in various types. A sandwich material with aluminum foil facings over recycled paperboard is available that meets most wind load requirements and costs less than OSB. Exterior gypsum sheathing, typically made with recycled paper facings, is often used on commercial buildings and is particularly good under stucco for houses. Some exterior gypsum sheathing products use fiberglass facings or integral fibers that do not support mold growth.

Green Building Scam

The main reason I am starting this blog is to help homeowners make decisions about the homes they are getting ready to build or remodel.  Architects, Builders, Lumber yards, and designers all try to encourage you to buy specialty products to help with the environment,  or "Green Building".  The main problem is that most of the products out there are not truly "Green" and are not any better than normal products that cost half as much.  Green building is a great idea, but the problem is that it has become a way for large companies to make money.  If you build a house to today's green standards with all the new great products, you are going to have a very expensive home.  I would like to show people how to still build green without spending absurd amounts of money.  I will be reviewing products ie: plywoods, glues, roofing materials, heating system, flooring, drywall ect... to help you make your decision on what to use on your new home.  Also, I am a builder/designer myself, so if you have any questions with a project you are currently working on, please feel free to ask.