SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PANELIZED, SUPERINSULATED BUILDING ENVELOPES
Panelized wall and roof structures for constructing energy efficient buildings. The panelized structures have a structural layer with insulation, an airtight layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to the structural layer, a vapor open blanket layer including insulation and attached to the structural layer via structural screws, a weather resistant barrier provided exterior to the blanket layer and including an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric, and a rain screen provided exterior to the weather resistant barrier and including a drainage plane for channeling moisture away from the weather resistant barrier.
The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/197,931 filed on 28 Jul. 2015 and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of construction of energy efficient buildings. Moreover, the present invention relates to panelized, superinsulated building systems and methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the design and construction of buildings, it is well known that energy efficiency and building insulation go hand in hand. Accordingly, numerous types of insulation systems and methods exist. Within typical “stick built” construction using framed lumber, voids are created within walls. In such exterior walls, these voids are often filled with fiberglass, cellulose-based, or foam material which have varied insulative value. Vapor barriers are typically added to such exterior walls in order to enhance the insulative effect. However, due to the nature of such framed lumber, thermal bridging often detrimentally occurs to facilitate heat transfer within walls. As well, a variety of leakage points exist due to difficulties inherent to current vapor barrier technology.
Improvements have been attempted in the form of structural insulated panels (SIPs) which are a high performance building system for residential and light commercial construction. The panels consist of an insulating foam core (e.g., extruded polystyrene XPS or expanded polystyrene EPS foam) sandwiched between two structural facings, typically oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and can be fabricated to fit nearly any building design. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy efficient and cost effective. Disadvantageously however, standard SIP technology typically requires spline joints which connect the panels together while allowing thermal bridging to occur.
In order for more new construction to be energy efficient and durable against the moisture-related problems that are sometimes associated with thick, airtight assemblies, new construction methods are required. The assemblies that will perform best from energy and resiliency viewpoints are inherently complex, time-consuming to assemble, and require specialized training to execute effectively.
It would be advantageous to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages such that heat transfer between building interiors and exteriors, thermal bridging, and leakage are substantially reduced or eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a system and method for panelized, superinsulated building envelopes that reduces or substantially eliminates many problems in building construction including heat transfer between building interiors and exteriors, thermal bridging, and leakage. The present invention reduces contributions to climate change due to wasted energy in the built environment. Difficulties in quality control for and time required on site to build complicated building envelope assemblies are minimized by way of the present invention.
The present invention reduces moisture-related issues, including reducing problems from mold inside building envelopes that are not vapor-open to the exterior and improving cladding longevity in building assemblies without a rain screen detail. The present invention also reduces moisture-related problems, including mold, in building assemblies insulated to higher levels than required by building codes.
The present invention provides effective air-sealing of building assembly panels, maintains integrity of the air barrier during and after the construction process, and provides enhanced insulating of “marriage joints” between building assembly panels.
The present invention overcomes difficulties in providing continuity of a weather resistant barrier between building assembly panels and resolves both problems related to vapor open construction of exterior and interior corners and also difficulties in building exterior and interior corners without thermal bridges.
The present invention also provides connections from wall to roof and at window and door supports that are free of thermal bridging.
The present invention enables a window assembly allowing for drainage into the rain screen, behind the cladding.
The present invention provides a service cavity on the inside of a building envelope assembly.
The present invention also provides effective insulation and air sealing of bother concrete slab foundations as well as foam-free pier foundations.
The present invention provides these benefits and solves these problems by using specific assemblies constructed in a controlled shop environment by skilled workers, then assembled on site using prescribed details. Anyone building a new home, new commercial or institutional building, or building significant additions to existing structures may benefit from the present system and method. Because most of the cost is in building and installing the panels, with travel costs as a comparatively minor expense, the system and method of the present invention effectively enables building houses in any location so as to bring low-energy, high-performance buildings to anyone constructing a building.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for constructing an energy efficient building, the system includes: at least one panelized structure having a structural layer including a first set of voids and located at an inner area of the at least one panelized structure, the inner area being adjacent to intended living space of the energy efficient building, an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to the structural layer, a blanket layer located exterior to the first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of the vertical members, a weather resistant barrier located exterior to the blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric, a rain screen located exterior to the weather resistant barrier, the rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to the energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, the drainage plane for channeling moisture away from the weather resistant barrier; insulation for placement within the structural layer and the blanket layer; and wherein the at least one panelized structure is air-sealed and insulated within the first and second sets of voids after installation.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a panelized wall structure for constructing an energy efficient building, the panelized wall structure includes: a structural layer having a first set of voids and located at an inner area of the panelized wall structure, the inner area being adjacent to intended living space of the energy efficient building; an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to the structural layer; a blanket layer located exterior to the first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of the vertical members; a weather resistant barrier located exterior to the blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric; and a rain screen located exterior to the weather resistant barrier, the rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to the energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, the drainage plane for channeling moisture away from the weather resistant barrier.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a panelized roof structure for constructing an energy efficient building, the panelized roof structure for constructing an energy efficient building, the panelized roof structure includes: a structural layer having a first set of voids and located at an inner area of the panelized roof structure, the inner area being adjacent to intended living space of the energy efficient building; an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to the structural layer; a blanket layer located exterior to the first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of the vertical members; a weather resistant barrier located exterior to the blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric; and a rain screen located exterior to the weather resistant barrier, the rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to the energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, the drainage plane for channeling moisture away from the weather resistant barrier.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
The present invention is a system and method which provides panelized, superinsulated building envelopes. In general, panel sections in accordance with the invention are shop-fabricated as completed assemblies or as partial assemblies and are installed as components on a building site. Assemblies in accordance with the present invention may include wall, roof, and floor assemblies. Such assemblies provide a new and useful alternative to standard SIPs such that the inventive assemblies are both thermal bridge free and foam free.
All assemblies in accordance with the present invention are designed and constructed to be highly energy efficient, resilient and durable, and to meet the voluntary International Passive House building energy standard and/or the Passive House Institute of the United States building energy standard. It should be understood that all parts of each building component or assembly are equally important to the overall inventive system and method in order to meet ideal building envelope performance goals and the aforementioned energy standard.
With specific reference to the figures below, it should be understood that like parts exists in more than one figure. As such, each like part is numbered identically when like structures are used throughout the various embodiments. For clarity, only the first occurrence of such structures may be described in detail where subsequent figures may not include a repeated description of like structures.
With reference to the drawings,
With regard to
As mentioned above, the present invention may be incorporated within a building having a raft slab. As seen in
During installation, it is advantageous to install the walls on top of the foundation vapor barrier to complete the air barrier. As well, the use of adhesive sealant will complete the air barrier connection from wall to foundation.
The panelized wall section portion of
The structural layer forms an inner, structural wall. In
The interior, structural wall 34 carries all structural loads, with most insulation on the exterior, though it is left uninsulated, as a “service cavity,” until after the building envelope is complete so as to facilitate panel attachments, mechanical, and electrical work.
The airtight layer provides a structural diaphragm that is also the primary air barrier and vapor retarder on the outside of the structural layer. In terms of
The first sheathing layer 30 is rendered airtight with all joints and nail holes taped with a suitable weatherproof taping such as Tescon Vana® adhesive tape with fleece backing available from Pro Clima® or any suitable weathertight tape. Lastly, a vapor barrier 19 is provided to separate the slab 25 from the exterior insulation 20, 24. The vapor barrier 19 may be a continuous ten (10) mil polyethylene sheet or any suitable material that functions as air barrier and capillary break. Thus, a contiguous airtight layer is formed by the first sheathing layer 30 and vapor barrier 19 which are connected in a weathertight manner at the continuous bottom plate 26. Moreover, it is beneficial that the airtight layer is placed in a protected location, internal to the panelized wall structure.
The blanket layer is an exterior insulating layer that includes vertical members filled between with insulation. It should be noted that the blanker layer is vapor open. As shown in
It should be understood that the “I-joists” referred to herein are an engineered wood product consisting of solid wood or laminated wood flanges and structural sheet material such as plywood or OSB as the web and which are advantageously placed outside the structural wall and air barrier, as support for cladding and insulation. Attaching the I-joists to the structural wall with structural screws thereby also is an advantage as the panelized wall structure relies upon screws as the only structural support for the blanket layer. For purposes allowing air evacuation when installing blown insulation, holes may be drilled in the I-joists of the blanket layer and covered with air-permeable mesh. Cellulose insulation may be installed more densely than normal, at 4.0 to 4.25 pounds per cubic foot, to ensure that such insulation remains in place during transport and for the life of the building.
The blanket layer is insulated with cellulose to a minimum density of 4.0 lbs/ft3, denser than typical to prevent settling in the present invention's larger-than-typical insulation cavities. The hygroscopic nature of cellulose insulation serves as a moisture buffer and a mineral borate additive makes the cellulose fireproof as well as resistant to pests. Testing has shown that over time, the moisture content within the walls fluctuates slightly, tracking environmental conditions, but that it stays far below the levels required for mold growth.
With continued reference to
The fifth category of grouped elements of the panelized wall section in accordance with the present invention is the rain screen which includes the outermost parts shown in
The vertical strapping 12 provides a gap at the bottom end thereof where wall vent 16 is inserted. Preferably, the wall vent 17 is SV-5 Siding Vent available from Cor-A-Vent, Inc. of Mishawaka, Ind. or any suitable heat-resistant webbing made from profile extruded polypropylene plastic that functions as a drainage mat for moisture collected in the area behind the siding 15. It should also be noted that a termite shield 17 may be provided as is typical to ward off wood eating insects. It should also be noted that it is advantageous that the I-joists 29 are not bearing the on the concrete slab 25.
Having discussed above what is fundamentally the basic component of the present invention, namely a panelized wall section, it should be understood that the following discussion of subsequent
As the sole plate 38 is within the heated building envelope, it need not be wrapped as was the bottom plate 26 shown in
With continued reference to
A corner connection between two panelized wall sections in accordance with the present invention is shown in
With further regard to
At outside corners of walls, holding I-joists back from the ends of the airtight layer facilitates air sealing the vertical seam at the outside corner where the airtight layer of two panels meet. It may be useful to build one panel with extra second sheathing layer 11 to be unfurled and sealed to the adjacent panel after air sealing is complete. It is also possible to use a solid sheet of sheathing material on one face only of the rain screen layer, to facilitate panel connections while allowing the wall to remain vapor-open at the adjacent face.
At inside corners of walls, holding I-joists back from the inside corner may allow workers to reach into the deep framing cavity to air-seal the vertical connection at the inside corner. It may be useful to build one panelized wall section of the inside corner with extra second sheathing layer 11 to be unfurled and sealed to the adjacent panel after air sealing is complete. As well, it may be useful at inside corners of walls to connect the rain screens at adjacent panels with an L-shaped assembly of OSB or other sheet stock, to provide a nailing base for siding.
With reference to
Window and door bucks (i.e., framing elements that surround and support the fenestration) may be of two main parts, inner bucks and outer bucks. The inner bucks are the structural support for the fenestration, and are from 1⅛″ to 1½″ thick, located inside the structural wall rough opening, extending to the inside of the structural wall. The outer bucks are thinner, from 7/16″ to ¾″ thick, placed outside and overlapping the inner bucks, extending to the outside of the blanket layer. The buck assembly is wrapped with one or more layers of solid wood to stiffen the assembly and to provide a nailing surface. The two-step buck assembly serves to minimize thermal bridging, provides positive placement for the fenestration, and allows for insulation and drainage around the window frame.
Glass 56 is preferably at least double paned with a warm edge “Swiss spacer” 55 provided so as to proved enhanced insulative value. As well, triple-pane glass panels perform even better than the well-insulated frames it is preferably that all exterior doors to be glass when used in the context of the present invention. Gaps between the plywood buck 59 and the outer 54a and inner 54b trim boards is filled respectively with foam type insulation 53 and 58 respectively. In particular, insulation 53 is preferably in the form of a high quality insulating foam panel which may be easily fashioned into the particular shape as shown, while insulation 58 may be in the form of water cured butyl fired urethane foam which may be injected into the corresponding space. In this manner, insulation 53 may be wrapped as shown with taping 50 to further enhance the airtight layer. It should be noted that windows are placed near the center of the wall thickness which may provide aesthetic benefits as well as space for post-installation window treatments.
The high performance panelized wall sections of the present invention relatedly require high performance windows and exterior doors. The present invention therefore works best in conjunction with exterior doors that seal securely against air and water infiltration. As well, triple-pane glass panels are preferred. It is also preferable that all exterior doors to be glass when used in the context of the present invention.
In
With further regard to
At wall top plates, it is also advantageous to let in strips of air-sealing membrane to the airtight layer of each wall during wall construction, to be connected to the roof airtight layer during assembly, to complete the airtight layer. As well, holding blanket layer top plates slightly lower than the roof slope is beneficial to allow for discrepancies in construction.
During a typical installation like that shown in
At gable walls, the panelized wall structures in accordance with the present invention may advantageously also provide for “balloon framing” of the structural wall either to span from the bottom of the first floor to the ceiling of the second floor or alternatively extending the framing to the top of the roof slope. “Balloon framing” the entire wall assembly is also possible by running structural components and blanket layer structure the full height of the building. It is also possible to install and seal blocking in the stud bays, in line with the ceiling air barrier, to allow continuity of the air barrier between ceiling and walls.
While panelized wall sections have thus been described in detail with regard to several configurations within a building, it should further be noted that the present inventive concepts may also be provided to a panelized roof section. Accordingly,
With specific reference to
The structural layer of the panelized roof section shown in
The airtight layer provides a structural diaphragm that is also the primary air barrier and vapor retarder on the outside of the structural layer. In terms of
In terms of
With continued reference to
The panelized roof section shown in
Panelized roof sections may be pre-insulated at the factory or post Insulated at the installation site. Leaving the ratter bays uninsulated, as a “service cavity,” until after the building envelope is complete is beneficial so as to facilitate panel attachments, mechanical and electrical work. Panelized roof sections that are post-insulated may be provided in the form of prefabricated trusses that are installed, air sealed, and insulated on site, and may include structural support in the form of shop-fabricated roof trusses, air sealing in the form of a membrane below the trusses connected to the walls' airtight layer, and insulation blown into the resulting attic cavity.
A roofing rimboard 73 preferably formed of 1⅛″ OSB suitably wrapped with a weathertight tape. The roofing rimboard 73 abuts the first sheathing layer 30 with all joints including taping 50. As well, the airtight layer of the panelized wall section and the airtight layer of the panelized roof section include a barrier 72 there between. The barrier 72 is preferably a high performance airtight vapor control layer such as Pro Clima® DA, Intello, or Intello Plus vapor retarder layers with all joints sealed by taping 50 preferably with Tescon Vana® or Rapid Cell® tape at all seams and staples so as to provide a continuous air barrier. In this configuration, the airtight layer is formed contiguously by the roof sheathing 70, rimboard 73, barrier 72, and first sheathing layer 30, and assured by taping 50.
When there are cave overhangs, it is advantageous to hold the cave wall blanket layer top plates slightly lower than the bottom of the truss top chord so as to allow the top chord to extend over the top of the blanket layer. At cave walls and rake walls, running the blanket layer vertically beyond the structural wall top plate to meet (with a small construction gap) the roof plane may be accomplished for the beneficial purpose of over-insulating the roof framing.
It is advantageous where two roof panels meet to build one panel with extra second sheathing layer 11 so as to be unfurled and sealed to the adjacent panel after air sealing is complete. It is also advantageous where two roof panels meet at the ridge to leave a cavity in the blanket layer to facilitate air sealing from above and/or to build one panel with extra second sheathing layer 11 so as to be unfurled and sealed to the opposite panel after air sealing is complete.
A 24″ raised heel truss roof is typically a cost effective approach for a trussed roof design, insulated with loose-fill cellulose to a depth of 24″ to 30″ for U values ranging from 0.071 to 0.045 W/m2K (0.0125 to 0.008 Btu/hr ft2 ° F.). ≈R 80 to 120. The truss may be shaped like a conventional gable, or it may be a mono-pitch (aka “shed roof”), low-slope (aka “flat roof”), or other shapes. The economical choice is for the truss to have a horizontal bottom chord, resulting in a conventional flat ceiling, but it may also be scissor or parallel chord trusses to create cathedral ceilings.
The wall assembly and corresponding system is certified by the International Passive House Institute to be free of thermal bridging, with a U-wall of 0.101 W/m2K (0.017 Btu/hr ft2 ° F.), ≈R 58.6. The related detailing the building's exterior corners result in negative Psi (ψ) values, meaning that not only are they free of thermal bridging, they are a net gain when performing heat loss calculations. The present invention has a ψ at building exterior corners is −0.068 W/mK (−0.039 Btu/h ft2 ° F.) and at building interior corners the ψ value is 0.026 W/mK (0.015 Btu/h ft2 ° F.). The International Passive House Institute has also determined the panelized roof sections to perform with a U value of 0.065 W/m2K (0.011 Btu/hr ft2 ° F.), ≈R 90. At the cave connection with the exterior wall, typically a thermal bridge, the inventive roof assembly has negative thermal bridging: ψ=−0.029 W/mK. At the ridge, another potential source of problems, the marriage joint achieves ψ=−0.029 W/mK
As mentioned, the inventive panel assemblies (i.e., panelized wall structures and panelized roof structures) are shop-fabricated. In other words, the inventive assemblies are assembled primarily in a climate controlled facility which ensures high quality in construction and enables tight tolerances of all assembly dimensions. Panel size for each assembly is of course dictated by the given project's geometry, equipment constraints, and trucking restrictions. Following installation on site, each of the airtight layer, the blanket layer insulation, and the weather resistant barrier is completed at the marriage joints. Use of a crane may facilitate panel setting, while shipping of the panels may be provided horizontally on a trailer. It may be preferable to utilize waler boards (i.e., framing lumber attached to stakes in the ground) outside the building to brace wall panels as they are erected, as opposed to typical interior wall bracing which also advantageously protects the concrete slab from damage.
With further reference to
The foam components are prefabricated in a shop. Following site preparation, the foam components are set on the site, sealed together with sprayed foam, the vapor barrier is installed, concrete reinforcing is installed, and the concrete slab is poured into the EPS foam “raft.” At a nominal 8″, the concrete slab is thick enough that additional structural support in the form of footings is not typically required. Moreover, the foam insulation protects the slab from thermal losses. Such innovative raft slab foundations may beneficially provide features including the use of borate-treated EPS foam for all components and the use of different densities of EPS for different locations.
The shape of a “frost wing” portion of such a raft slab system may involve including a wing projecting beyond the building with a groove which receives the slab form and sloped to shed water. The shape of the “slab form,” L-shaped in section, which interlocks with the frost wing advantageously creates an 8″ tall form for the concrete slab. The raft slab system may feature: infilling the frost wing perimeter with rectangular blocks of borate-treated EPS foam; specific dimensioning of all parts; using component dimensions adequate to meet the Passive House standard in cold climates; having all parts cut to shape and length, including mitered wings at inside and outside corners; leaving gaps between all components, pending application of spray foam adhesive sealant; using spray foam adhesive sealant to connect all components; using blocks of foam offcuts to support steel reinforcing before the concrete slab is poured; following the concrete pour, wrapping the vapor barrier membrane onto the top surface of the concrete and sealing it with tape so as to be later connected with the wall air barrier; and backfilling over the frost wing with soil for protection and aesthetic reasons.
Still further, assemblies in accordance with the present invention may form a pier foundation that minimizes or eliminates the use of plastic foam and concrete, as both products have certain negative environmental impacts. A pier foundation utilizing helical metal piles or other forms of support, depending on various conditions, sized per building code and industry best practices may therefore benefit from the present panelized wall and roof structures. Above the piers, panelizing construction of the floor system may be provided in accordance with the same principles and features shown and described herein above with regard to the inventive panelized wall and roof structures.
As mentioned, for projects where treading lightly on the land is a key concern, eliminating plastic foam is a goal, or access to the site is compromised, a pier foundation may be used. Using helical piers—galvanized metal posts with an auger screw at the bottom, literally drilled into the ground—minimizes disturbance of the site. The floor is framed with deep I-joists and filled with dense-packed cellulose, with an airtight, moisture-repelling skin applied to the bottom of the floor system. A small, insulated chase may be used to bring utilities into a central location. The same insulated floor system used for piers may be used on an uninsulated foundation or crawlspace. The present invention utilized with a foam-free framed floor system uses 24″ I-joists filled with dense-packed cellulose, with assembly insulation values of 0.070 W/m2K (0.012 Btu/hr ft2 ° F.), ≈R 83.3.
It should be readily understood that the present invention advantageously allows in-shop fabrication of building components and assemblies thus ensuring quality control and fast, accurate installation on site. As well, this allows for configuring building components and assemblies for ease of loading and trucking flat (horizontally) on a flatbed trailer. Such in-shop fabrication of building components and assemblies thereby enable building envelope performance much greater than that provided by standard construction techniques.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A system for constructing an energy efficient building, said system comprising:
- at least one panelized structure having a structural layer including a first set of voids and located at an inner area of said at least one panelized structure, said inner area being adjacent to intended living space of said energy efficient building, an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to said structural layer, a blanket layer located exterior to said first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of said vertical members, a weather resistant barrier located exterior to said blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric, a rain screen located exterior to said weather resistant barrier, said rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to said energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, said drainage plane for channeling moisture away from said weather resistant barrier;
- insulation for placement within said structural layer and said blanket layer; and
- wherein said at least one panelized structure is air-sealed and insulated within said first and second sets of voids after installation.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a first panelized structure and a second panelized structure are provided and include a marriage joint therebetween, said marriage joint configured to provide continuity of said first sheathing layer between said first panelized structure and said second panelized structure and continuity of said second sheathing layer between said first panelized structure and said second panelized structure.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first panelized structure is a wall panel and said second panelized structure is a roof panel.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second panelized structure forms a pitched roof of said energy efficient building.
5. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second panelized structure forms a flat roof of said energy efficient building.
6. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first panelized structure and said second panelized structure are both wall panels.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said wall panels form a contiguous straight section of wall.
8. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said wall panels are arranged at a right angle to one another and form an interior corner section of wall.
9. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said wall panels are arranged at a right angle to one another and form an exterior corner section of wall.
10. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said blanket layer is attached to said structural layer via structural screws.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said airtight layer is retained in place between said blanket layer and said structural layer via said structural screws.
12. A panelized wall structure for constructing an energy efficient building, said panelized wall structure comprising:
- a structural layer having a first set of voids and located at an inner area of said panelized wall structure, said inner area being adjacent to intended living space of said energy efficient building;
- an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to said structural layer;
- a blanket layer located exterior to said first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of said vertical members;
- a weather resistant barrier located exterior to said blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric; and
- a rain screen located exterior to said weather resistant barrier, said rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to said energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, said drainage plane for channeling moisture away from said weather resistant barrier.
13. The panelized wall structure as claimed in claim 12 further including insulation located within said first and second set of voids.
14. The panelized wall structure as claimed in claim 13 further including a marriage joint configured to provide continuity of said first sheathing layer between said panelized wall structure and another first sheathing layer of another panelized wall structure and continuity of said second sheathing layer between said panelized wall structure and another second sheathing layer of another panelized wall structure.
15. The panelized wall structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein said blanket layer is attached to said structural layer via structural screws.
16. The panelized wall structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein said airtight layer is retained in place between said blanket layer and said structural layer via said structural screws.
17. A panelized roof structure for constructing an energy efficient building, said panelized roof structure for constructing an energy efficient building, said panelized roof structure comprising:
- a structural layer having a first set of voids and located at an inner area of said panelized roof structure, said inner area being adjacent to intended living space of said energy efficient building;
- an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to said structural layer;
- a blanket layer located exterior to said first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of said vertical members;
- a weather resistant barrier located exterior to said blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric; and
- a rain screen located exterior to said weather resistant barrier, said rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to said energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, said drainage plane for channeling moisture away from said weather resistant barrier.
18. The panelized roof structure as claimed in claim 17 further including insulation located within said first and second set of voids.
19. The panelized roof structure as claimed in claim 18 further including a marriage joint configured to provide continuity of said first sheathing layer between said panelized roof structure and a corresponding first sheathing layer of a panelized wall structure and continuity of said second sheathing layer between said panelized roof structure and a corresponding second sheathing layer of a panelized wall structure.
20. The panelized roof structure as claimed in claim 18 wherein said blanket layer is attached to said structural layer via structural screws, and said airtight layer is retained in place between said blanket layer and said structural layer via said structural screws.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2016
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2017
Inventor: Christian Peter CORSON (Northport, ME)
Application Number: 15/208,033