COMPARISONS

Many competing construction methods, both traditional and newer alternative construction products can be used in building structures today.

In the following, compare the advantages and disadvantages of each of the primary methods, by category, within the range of products supplied by Techbuilt's structural insulated panels.

FOUNDATIONS


	Advantages	Disadvantages

Techbuilt structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)	Highest R- Value Fast Panelized walls Not weather dependent Low installed cost No settling or cracking Insulation included Faster installation because it's panelized	Higher brick facing installation costs Not designed for mid-hillside installation


Poured Concrete	Lowest Installed Cost Broad range of wall sizes and strengths	Subject to cracks, voids and settling Subject to dampness and leakage Poor R-value without additional insulation Weather dependent during installation


Concrete Block	Lower Installed Cost Broad range of wall sizes and strengths	Subject to dampness and leakage Poor R-value without additional insulation Weather dependent during installation


Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	Commodity product Broad range of wall sizes and strengths Less subject to cracks and leakage than other concrete methods Electrical wiring must be in conduit.	Subject to cold joints Highest installed cost Moderate R- Value Weather dependent during installation.


Pre-Cast Concrete Walls	Not weather dependent during installation Faster installation because it's panelized No settling or cracking	Unable to set joist into foundation box for energy efficiency Higher installed cost Poor R-value without additional insulation


Steel Framing	None	Does not compete


Wood Framing	None	Does not compete

WALL FRAMING

	Advantages	Disadvantages

Techbuilt structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)	Highest R- Value Fast Panelized walls Not weather dependent Low installed cost Most flexible method Insulation included Faster installation because it's panelized	New system


Wood Framing	Known historical costs Known techniques Can be panelized	Subject to price swings Labor intensive Quality suspect as wood shrinks and warps Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation


Steel Framing	Comparable cost to wood Higher quality than wood Can be panelized	Lack of experienced framers Labor intensive Greater thermal transfer Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation


Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	Commodity product Broad range of wall sizes and strengths Strength Electrical wiring must be in conduit	Subject to cold joints Highest installed cost Moderate R- Value Weather dependent during installation.



Concrete Block	Broad range of wall sizes and strengths.	High installed costs Slowest construction method Poor R-value without additional insulation Weather dependent during installation


Poured Concrete	None	Does not compete


Pre-cast Concrete Walls	None	Does not compete

ROOF FRAMING

	Advantages	Disadvantages

Techbuilt structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)	Highest R- Value Insulation included Faster installation because it's panelized Vaulted ceilings standard Low installed cost Most flexible method Insulation included Sheathing included	New system


Wood Framing	Known historical costs Known techniques Trusses can be pre-made	Subject to price swings Labor intensive Vaulted ceilings at extra cost Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation


Steel Framing	Comparable cost to wood Higher quality than wood	Lack of experienced framers Labor intensive Greater thermal transfer Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation Vaulted ceilings at extra cost


Poured Concrete	None	Does not compete


Concrete Block	None	Does not compete


Pre-Cast Concrete Walls	None	Does not compete


Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	None	Does not compete

COMPARISONS

Many competing construction methods, both traditional and newer alternative construction products can be used in building structures today.

FOUNDATIONS

Advantages

Disadvantages

Techbuilt structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)

Poured Concrete

Concrete Block

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Pre-Cast Concrete Walls

Steel Framing

Wood Framing

WALL FRAMING

Advantages

Disadvantages

Techbuilt structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)

Wood Framing

Steel Framing

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Concrete Block

Poured Concrete

Pre-cast Concrete Walls

ROOF FRAMING

Advantages

Disadvantages

Techbuilt structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)

Wood Framing

Steel Framing

Poured Concrete

Concrete Block

Pre-Cast Concrete Walls

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Structural insulated Panels Sips Sips for sale

Poured
Concrete

Concrete
Block