NBN Online for the week of March 17, 2008

Systems-Built Approach Reduces Wasted Materials

A new Guide to Green Building released by the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando last month points to the advantages of building systems in using construction materials more efficiently.

The guide's eight tech sets include information on resource and waste management and suggest several opportunities to reduce construction costs by taking a systems-built approach:

• Precisely cut in the factory, a prefabricated building system — such as structural insulated panels (SIPs) or panelized wall and roof systems — wastes little material and makes structures more durable.
  
  
• Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) reduce material waste by providing formwork that remains in place after the concrete foundations and walls are poured.
  
  
• Insulating the foundation with a frost-protected shallow foundation can save on concrete. When stamped or stained, a slab can create a decorative concrete floor finish as an alternative to the installation of carpet or tile.
  
  
• Designing structures with advanced framing details, or using I-joists and roof trusses, saves on materials without compromising the structural integrity of the home.
  
  
• Products that are pre-finished in the factory — like pre-finished windows, shutters and cellular PVC trims — are resource-efficient because they require no additional materials for finishing.

The PATH guide can help builders meet the requirements of green building rating systems, including NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines (GBG), and the soon-to-be-released ICC/NAHB National Green Building Standard, which will be the first ANSI-approved American National Standard for green building.

In a scoring tool based on the NAHB guidelines now available for the NAHB National Green Building Program, a home earning 237 total points receives a bronze rating, 311 a silver and 395 a gold.

Examples of points that can be earned under the guidelines:

• A pre-cut joist or pre-manufactured truss floor and roof framing package earns three points, or more if both packages are used.
  
  
• A panelized wall framing system and panelized roof system each earn six points.
  
  
• Modular construction for the entire house is worth seven points.
  
  
• A frost-protected shallow foundation scores four points.

Visit the Guide to Green Building to learn about PATH’s other recommended green practices: low-impact development, energy-efficient systems, resource-efficient plumbing, good indoor air quality and home owner education.

For information on building systems resources available from NAHB, e-mail Tony Gacek, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8357. For information on green building resources, e-mail Calli Schmidt, x8132.

Systems-Built Homes: Get the Big Picture

Attend the 2008 Building Systems Councils Modular & Panel Plant Tour May 18-20 in Harrisburg, Penn.

Participants will tour several of the top modular factories, getting an insider’s look at the manufacturing process as well as an opportunity to make important contacts.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/planttour.