Posts: 34
Threads: 14
Joined: Dec 2007
I have a question regarding purlins. Are purlins any better than 5/8s plywood sheeting? The more I discussed the things with my builder the more leary I became of them. Coming from Florida, I know they would never allow purlins there, nor do they allow 3-foot overhangs. I spent approximately 2-grand extra for the plywood sheeting with thermal barrier to firm up the structure and keep the house cool on the inside. I think it was worth it. Any comments?
FNG
Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
I think you made a wise choice. But then I only know from SB and Mikewj's. SB said he didnt want to be the fat boy that bends the tin. (this started out as a joke when he put the plywood roof decking on Da Banana Boys place and knew he would be the one dinking around with their solar panels.) At Mike's it has made a discernible difference with the thermal sheeting.
The thermal sheeting is nice and does help keep things cooler although after seeing Wegian's place, I like the insulated roofing Rob Tucker sells. We are looking at it for our house.
Posts: 526
Threads: 11
Joined: Oct 2006
We are very pleased with the SIP (structural insulated panel) roofing panels that we got from Rob. They are sandwiches of corrugated metal with 2.5" of foam in the middle. About 3' wide, they easily support a person's weight on a 6' span. We have 4' otherwise unsupported eaves that you can step on to in order to work on the roof. When we began installing them on our open beams, it was a bright hot day. After putting up a few panels the crew grouped underneath for a break. It was obviously several degrees cooler under the panels even though the house was still quite open. Even now, with screens constantly open the house is 5 or more degrees cooler than the outside during the day and about the same warmer than outside at night. Probably the concrete slab floor has something to do with the overnight heat retention. Our walls are also SIP's, Rob's ProTec product. We couldn't be more pleased.
