12-18-2006, 09:15 AM
Have a look at platinumadvanced.com. They are a fairly new texas/Florida based company that very much would like to get some projects built in Hawaii, and they are structural, so there is no need for sheathing. they are made from better than average patented, light guage steel framing, are filled with urethane foam with a layer of fiberglass cloth on either side, can be ordered with outlet boxes, conduit, any rough plumbing chases needed, and all it takes to erect is one person witha brain, a skilled monkey or two, screw gun and socket set. These are not panelized kits. Any plan can be panelized.. The initial cost of the panels is more than traditional materials, but there is almost no labor cost until you are ready to finish everything. They are also working on using soy based foam so the panels are completely green. A couple of people without big skills can have a roof walls in in a week.
All fo this said, I have not built one personally, am not in any way associated with them professionally or personally, but am in the process of putting a project together, have been looking at panel companies for 4 years with the same result you are having, inaccurate, inconsistent information. Platinum has been rated for 200 mph winds. The insulation qualities, which are huge for the thickness of the panels, may not really be needed here, but no reason for bugs and no way for water to really permiate, I suspect offsets the cost of the insulation. I'm no panel expert, but do have a masters degree in architecture and almost 40 years of carpenty/artisan experience, boat, small residential and commercial projects and if I was building my own house, even though I love the textures and character of wood, I'd go this way, just have to be creative to build in a new character.
Robin
All fo this said, I have not built one personally, am not in any way associated with them professionally or personally, but am in the process of putting a project together, have been looking at panel companies for 4 years with the same result you are having, inaccurate, inconsistent information. Platinum has been rated for 200 mph winds. The insulation qualities, which are huge for the thickness of the panels, may not really be needed here, but no reason for bugs and no way for water to really permiate, I suspect offsets the cost of the insulation. I'm no panel expert, but do have a masters degree in architecture and almost 40 years of carpenty/artisan experience, boat, small residential and commercial projects and if I was building my own house, even though I love the textures and character of wood, I'd go this way, just have to be creative to build in a new character.
Robin
Robin