Faculty: architecture topic : constructive system of dwelling house teacher

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) – These typically are made with 2 skins of pre-coated thin steel 0.42mm thick with the profile rolled for added rigidity. The metal is glued to a rigid foam core, preferably either XPS or PIR rather than EPS. The thickness can be varied to give very high insulation values. They are an efficient use of the embodied energy in steel as they have very high performance and longevity. The cost per square metre is higher to purchase, but the speed of construction dramatically reduces site labour costs.

Considering construction systems

Important factors influencing the selection of residential construction systems are:

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  thermal performance
  
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  durability and maintenance requirements
  
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  source and environmental impact of all component materials and processes
  
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  reuse or recycling potential
  
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  distances and transport modes required for materials and labour.
  

There is no single best solution. Any combination of materials should be carefully assessed to arrive at the most appropriate choice for your climate and site.
Thermal mass

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  Choose the right thermal mass and passive design for your climate.
  
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  Pay attention to lifecycle energy consumption – a material’s environmental emissions and depletions from ‘cradle to grave’– for example; source, extraction, manufacture, operating performance and end of life disposal or reuse.
  
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  Balance higher embodied energy with lower energy use as appropriate (for example, heavyweight construction may outweigh operational energy savings).
  

Durability and maintenance

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  Make sure the materials you choose have a durability of at least the lifespan of the building.
  
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  The durability of well-maintained lightweight systems is equivalent to heavyweight systems.
  
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  Also make sure that you can perform the upkeep required to maintain any of the materials. Reliable maintenance regimes are a critical consideration when selecting external cladding systems.
  
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  Painted surfaces will require more maintenance than unpainted surfaces.
  
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  Poor maintenance can reduce life span by up to 50%, negating embodied energy savings and doubling materials consumption.