Gary Beck on Alternative Building Systems

This is a more in depth review of common Alternative building systems used for homes. The video is based on a presentation I made at the Dallas Goes Green American Society of Civil Engineers conference held in 2008 in Dallas, Texas.

While 95% of the North Americas residential construction successfully applies dimensional wood and engineered wood products, the interest in lower energy consumption, better water resistance, and more durability has increased interest in alternatives to wood framing.




The presentation provides an overview of residential alternative building methods of Advanced Wood Framing (AWF), structural insulated panels (SIP), autoclave aerated concrete (AAC), insulated concrete forms (ICF), structural concrete insulated panels (SCIP).

The presentation compares the basic energy performance a comparison of AWF, SIP, AAC, ICF, and SCIP systems and ends with a summary ranking, based on the authors direct project experience. Each system's relative position is scored and ranked for (1) Industry Experience, (2) Energy Performance, (3) Relative Strength, (4) Design Flexibility, (5) Direct Labor Cost, (6) MEP & Finish Cost, (7) Speed of Construction, and (8) Relative Material Cost.

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Science & Technology

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• Alternative
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[bkucinschi]

Based on Gary's analysis, AAC appears to the third preference... It appears that the larger cost of the material is considered a drawback. But don't forget you save a lot in installation cost. AAC remains my personal favorite. I also like ICF, but the forms are HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, and in case of a fire it emits toxic fumes. Even if what''s left is repaired after the fire, it continues to give out some toxic emissions.

[EcoGreenEngineer]

@bkucinschi AAC is limited only by the availability, experience, and capability of installers. If the US was a masonry based residential construction market this would be different, but we are a wood framing based residential market. FYI, a local manufacturer and friend just started producing a new 16x8x8 Aerated Concrete dry stack "Lite Block' block that I find may offer lower installed costs.

[tanniknar]

This is the best breakdown I have seen of this subject. Favorite!

[JamesTAlucard]

sorry, 6 inch thick**

[JamesTAlucard]

at 4:35 (SIP strength) is that a six inch peice of osb supporting a lift of plywood?