Archive for the ‘Structural Insulated Panels’ Category

This morning we are working from the top to the bottom and pretty much everywhere in between.  In the big picture below the first of the upper roof panels is being set into place while the concrete truck pours the basement slab.

Meanwhile, on the lower part of the roof we are running the electrical wires and wires for the security and alarm systems.  We don’t want any exposed wiremold or electrical conduit so all ceiling mounted fixtures are being wired from the outside. This requires careful planning and skilled hands. To the left Sam Joslin, of Century Electric, confers with Dave Vinick, of Home Electronics.  To the right Len Capizanno locates the overhead fixtures.

And, while all this is going on up above, Ca-Gin Concrete pours the basement slab.  The blue foam blocks mark the location of the footings for the steel columns that will support the floor and roof structure.  Once the floor hardens the foam will be removed. And after the columns are set the diamond shapes will be patched and the concrete will secure the base of the columns.

For a quick history of the project scroll down to go back through Older Entries.

The new store is located at 4625 Old Post Road (right next to the existing store).

Earlier today we set the first of the Climate-Block roof panels.  The roof panels are more than 11″ thick, with 10″ of expanded polystrene (EPS) insulation – R40 and no thermal bridging.

We  applied 5/8″ Type X drywall, which is both moisture  and fire resistant, to the underside of the roof panels before we installed them.  Navigating the beams and drywalling the cathedral ceiling would have been difficult and we think that we will have a better job by applying the drywall before we set the panels.

The structural members of the panels are made of engineered lumber and extend beyond the outside face of the EPS by 3/4″.   When the roof sheathing is applied we will have a 3/4″ air space and a cool, well-ventilated roof, resulting in lower energy costs and longer lasting roofing.

Pictured below are the completed wall panels which are in the process of being sheathed with water proof 11/16″ Zip-Wall (the green panels with black borders).  The exposed horizontal beam will support the roof of the farmer’s porch entry-way. And the three window openings above the beam will provide natural light to the retail space.  Traves Ogilvie, Tom Alexander, Jr., and Derek Lemire are installing the panels while Kurt McCormick sets them in place with the Lull.

For a quick history of the project scroll down to go back through Older Entries.

The new store is located at 4625 Old Post Road (right next to the existing store).

We are beginning to install the Climate-Block panels.  These panels will serve as the curtain wall for the timber frame portion of the building and the entire structure for the beer cooler and wine storage room. Made of engineered lumber and expanded polystyrene (EPS) the wall panels have a true R-value of 30, with no thermal bridging.

Both the timber frame and the Climate-Block panels are cut on a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine and delivered to our site ready to install.  This requires careful planning and thoughtful engineering and results in a tighter, more energy efficient building.

Special thanks to our structural engineer, Ernie George who has worked closely with Oyster Works, South County Post and Beam, and Delta H to integrate the different building systems and help us bring our design to life.

While we continue to work onsite – grading, compacting, and backfilling, we are also building components of the Charlestown Package Store offsite.  We are using Climate-Block, made by Delta H of North Kingston, RI, to cover the timberframe and for the entire structure of the wine storage room, beer cooler, and stair tower to the tasting loft.

Made of expanded polystyrene and engineered lumber the wall panels have an insulation value of R30 and the roof panels a value of R40.   And  there is no thermal bridging as the structural components do no extend from the outer surface of the panel to the inner surface.   The horizontal chase in the wall panel will allow us to run wiring for the electrical and alarm systems and similar chases will allow us to run the plumbing. The outer framing member of the roof panel extends 3/4″ past the foam and creates an air space under the roof sheathing to allow for ventilation and a cooler roof.

Traves Ogilvie of Delta H and Oysterworks' Megan Moynihan inspect a mock-up of the Climate-Block system

We have been working with Delta H for several months and are very excited to be pioneering the use of these highly energy efficient panels.   We will be posting an article about the Climate-Block and blogging about our experience using them.