Reports Explore Innovative Construction Technologies

Reports Explore Innovative Construction Technologies

To save on costs and improve quality, many builders are considering alternatives to traditional wood frame construction. But how well will these new technologies perform? In a continuation of its research on new residential building technologies, HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research recently released two reports on promising substitutes for wood frame residential construction. These new technologies -- wood structural insulated panels, insulating concrete forms, and steel framing -- are not yet widely used nor addressed by building codes.

Innovative Structural Systems for Home Construction: Wood Structural Insulated Panels and Insulating Concrete Forms discusses the pros and cons of two of these technologies. Wood structural panels, also known as foam core panels, are generally made of wood panel faces separated by a layer of plastic foam. Foam core panels are a practical material for exterior wall construction because they are structurally stronger and insulate better than wood. Builders can use normal woodworking tools and fasteners with the panels. However, these panels are vulnerable to termite or carpenter ant infestation and unresolved questions remain about fire resistance and long-term performance.

The two types of insulating concrete forms -- foam blocks and form board concrete systems -- combine insulation and concrete walls. Unlike conventional concrete forms, builders can quickly install insulating concrete forms and work with them in cold weather. Forms and finished surfaces, however, may cost more than wood frame walls, may be vulnerable to insect infestation, and have not been fully evaluated for fire resistance. The report suggests that the construction industry should support field evaluations on practical construction requirements and cost benefit analyses of the new wood panel and concrete technologies.

Steel Framed Residential Construction: Demonstration Homes describes two steel frame demonstration projects coordinated by the National Association of Home Builders. The demonstration projects were a large custom home in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a simpler, affordable home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, both with light-gauge steel framing. The projects taught several valuable lessons, according to the report:

Having available standardized materials and code approval for a prescriptive steel framing method shortens construction times. Use of pre-cut steel materials at the Maryland site did save time.
Steel framing adapts readily to complicated architectural features that are common in custom homes.
Adapting the plumbing and electrical components to steel framing incurred only minimal costs.
Several currently available tools, fastening techniques, and fasteners can increase productivity with steel framing.
Steel requires different fastening methods, cutting techniques, and maintenance of an "in-line" framing layout than wood framing.

The lumber price increases of the early 1990s may render wood frame substitutes more cost competitive and they may become more readily available. Both reports will raise industry awareness of these potentially important technologies. Innovative Structural Systems for Home Construction: Wood Structural Insulated Panelsand Insulating Concrete Forms and Steel Framed Residential Construction: Demonstration Homes are now available from HUD USER for $5 each. Please use the order form to obtain copies.

Other publications on new construction technologies, also available from HUD USER, include Alternatives to Lumber and Plywood in Home Construction and Alternative Framing Materials in Residential Construction: Three Case Studies.