Going Green

Here's a look at how using ISLAND gAL'S bUILDING sYSTEM can attain high-energy efficiency and improve home construction

In light of rising energy costs and growing environmental awareness, more homebuyers are focusing on the energy efficiency of their new home's design and construction. It is a home attribute that has gone from a "nice to have" to be a deciding factor for many people.

Achieving dramatic improvements in home energy efficient requires advanced building techniques and products, not simply doing existing things better. Think of it like a horse versus a car: no matter how well you feed and train the horse, it will never run as fast as a car.

To improve energy performance, meet other green building goals and streamline the building process, Island Gal has developed a "Building System" and has been using it in all their homes. Building with the Island Gal Building System has resulted in a 60 percent reduction in costs to heat and cool homes. For many of our homes it costs only $600 to $800 per year to cool them.

If you've been thinking about trying our Building System it is not hard to get started and there are numerous benefits. As builders, we love this system because it enables us to dry in a house much faster, the walls are stronger than stick built, they are always straight and plumb and we are able to easily qualify for EnergyStar and BuiltGreen certification requirements. It is easier to market and sell our homes because of the significant energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality and we have extremely happy customers.

Our customers tell us they love their Building System built homes because they feel more comfortable and that the homes gives them peace of mind due to its solid, quality construction and the healthy clean air environment. And they LOVE the lower utility bills!

Our Building System is fairly straightforward to place and attach to the foundation or to other framing members.

Our Building System is comprised of prefabricated components used to build walls, ceilings and floors built together to form a monolithic building panel with extreme energy efficiency and strength.

They replace conventional stud or stick frame construction and need no additional skeleton for support. Because Building System houses have fewer joints, it is easier and more economical to create a tight building envelope than when building with stick framing.

In addition to superior energy efficiency, Building System construction supports environmentally responsible building in several other ways including indoor air quality, waste reduction and recyclability.

Next to energy efficiency, indoor environmental health and air quality are typically top of mind with homeowners when it comes to building green. By creating a tight building envelope, SIPs help stop pollen, mold, dust and other irritants and pollutants from seeping in. Some manufacturers’ SIPs also do not contain formaldehyde or other off-gassing components that can negatively impact indoor air.

We’re all familiar with the large dumpsters required to hold framing material waste at the typical job site. In many ways, it’s become an expected cost of doing business and is typically seen as just the way things are. However, using our Building System eliminates large volumes of wood waste – up to two thirds. We cut all of the pieces in their factory, eliminating much of the need for builders to cut lumber to length on site. This not only helps the environment, but also reduces labor costs and disposal fees.

While building green is important, we use our Building System because it helps speed construction and creates happy homeowners.

Our Building System installs much faster than stick framing. Because the structural elements come in an integrated pieces, there’s no need for separate framing and sheathing work. Plus, the electrical chases are pre-cut so there’s no need to drill through studs for wiring. The window and door openings are also pre-cut, including curved doors and other complex features. As a result, we can dry-in a home within a matter of days, instead of weeks.

The large, one-piece panels arrive at the job site straight and square, and are easy to install plumb. They eliminate the waviness that can be difficult to avoid in stud walls. Their straightness not only creates a better-looking wall, but also provides even anchor points for cabinets and smoother operating windows and doors.

Athough most builders have not used our Building System, it is pretty easy to get used to. The primary requirement is a willingness to try something new. For an experienced framing crew, learning to work with our Building System typically only takes a few hours.

We typically provide detailed assistance, from design through construction. We make the panels and deliver them to your job site ready to install.

The panels are fairly straightforward to place and attach to the foundation or to other framing members. Once installed, it’s critical to seal all joints between panels and other framing components with mastics, tape or other sealants to provide a tight envelope. We will provide details on which methods and products are required with our system.

As far as other aspects of construction, working with our Building System is similar to conventional framing. Because they are wood sheathed, they are easy to fasten finishing materials to with screws or nails.

With the benefits to customers, builders, and the environment, we believe that most homes will eventually be built with the Island Gal Building System.