Inspired by my older brother's recent forays into the world of the online diary (http://gunnigoat.blogspot.com/ ), I too have decided to jump on the blog-wagon...the band-bloggen...tobloggen? So here I shout to the world. I have acquired buoyancy, a borrowed paddle, and have floated the twice width of Lake Padden.
SIPs, or Structural Insulated Panels are the newish "green building material" that boast impressive insulating properties and the ability to "cut your energy costs dramatically!" However, they are made from non recycled Styrofoam sandwiched between two pieces of OSB, or particle plywood. The environmental impact of these materials far outweighs (in my mind) the reduced energy consumption. Polystyrene, though now a far better material than was formerly used, is still highly toxic if burned at low temperatures and does not biodegrade. These panels usually have to be dramatically altered on the job site using a foam cutter and a chainsaw thereby releasing bits of Styrofoam and toxic fumes everywhere, and resulting in large chunks of waste (take my boat for example). There are many alternatives to Styrofoam insulation. You can insulate with sawdust, recycled newspaper, shredded jean material, etc... Also if your house is under 10,000 square feet its a hell of a lot easier to insulate. Build small, stay warm, be nice.
SIPs, or Structural Insulated Panels are the newish "green building material" that boast impressive insulating properties and the ability to "cut your energy costs dramatically!" However, they are made from non recycled Styrofoam sandwiched between two pieces of OSB, or particle plywood. The environmental impact of these materials far outweighs (in my mind) the reduced energy consumption. Polystyrene, though now a far better material than was formerly used, is still highly toxic if burned at low temperatures and does not biodegrade. These panels usually have to be dramatically altered on the job site using a foam cutter and a chainsaw thereby releasing bits of Styrofoam and toxic fumes everywhere, and resulting in large chunks of waste (take my boat for example). There are many alternatives to Styrofoam insulation. You can insulate with sawdust, recycled newspaper, shredded jean material, etc... Also if your house is under 10,000 square feet its a hell of a lot easier to insulate. Build small, stay warm, be nice.
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