Zero Energy Walls

Calling all contractors, builders, home improvement experts and architects. Please make all exterior walls a minimum of two by twelve (2" x 12"). With a 2 x 12 wall you can achieve at least R40, this will reduce most heating and cooling energy needs for the house. You can even add inches to your walls for a retrofit to achieve this if you ever need to replace siding. Come on America, and the world, let's build for near zero energy. Declare the end of the 2 x 4 external wall!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• zero energy walls
• two by twelve walls
• no more 2 x 4 walls
• green building

[tonyfixit]

Up until now I've only had the opportunity to build 2 x 8" and I used full 2 x 8s for that. It's a good point, ask your code officer what he/she wants, maybe 1/2" drywall piece every second stud as fire block would be enough.

[tonyfixit]

I agree, retrofits are difficult for this idea. But it is practical for new construction. I have just finished such a building and the customer is delighted. One 17,000 BTU wall vented gas heater for 600 square foot floor. Window opening become deep, but nice feature for plants, etc. Also door openings deeper. I turn the sheetrock into the opening and just use a square molding around the windows, nothing fancy, saves on finished moldings.

[tonyfixit]

Ideally something like 2 x 6 could be screwed to existing studs from the outside of the building. Fill these with fiberglass or styrofoam, then siding. This would be a bit heavy though, so yeah, we'll need some kind of support near foundation, even a bracket with a baseplate. Or, how about 4 inches of styrofoam panelling with the siding already attached, much lighter. I think we want to get R40 on exterior walls. And R40- 50 in the attic.

[KyleQuest]

not bad for insulation value but, shouldn't air transmission be minimized between each stud cavity? Not only for insulation value but, fire suppression?

[remember25october]

You can fill that wooden frame with straw. Straw is good insulator.

[TheBalancedAmerican]

Simple innovations are usually the most genius. This is brilliant. We need building companies to adopt strategies like this, then they can add "green building practices" to their Brand image. Their is profit to be made green building. I think that enough people are becoming interested in green practices that demand will shape the market. (crosses figures)

[thatstheone87]

i would love to have this, my house is double brick and cost soooooo much to cool/heat

[johnlvs2run]

That's fine if you like houses made from sticks.

[MrSchpankme]

Just use the Structural Insulated Panel on floors, walls, and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings.

[rubberberner]

Maybe for new construction this would work, but for existing construction, it would either decrease square footage considerably, or if you wanted to do it on the exterior, you'd need a bigger foundation for the footers...I agree it would be excellent for energy consumption, but its just not practical. just like everybody should drive around tanks, and there would be no more deaths from car accidents...practicallity is key.

[MrHorsetail]

Great idea and it will pay back big in no time. When I resided my house, I tore off the old siding and put 4x8 3/4 inch Owens Corning tung and grove foam (R5) and taped the seams with the tape they recommend for the foam. It made my house much warmer and was worth the $350 it cost to cover my 800sq ft house.