Zip-R competitive products
Bruce_Davis
| Posted in Green Products and Materials on
Given the high cost of Zip-R OSB/polyiso, I went searching for a competitive product. GP makes ForceField, but only without the foam. Atlas makes something a bit different. It’s called ThermalStar One. This has EPS on the outside of the OSB. Does anybody know anything about this Atlas product? Anybody know of any other similar OSB/foamboard products out there? Thanks.
https://www.thermalstar.com/Products/One
https://www.proremodeler.com/innovative-products-thermalstar-one-insulated-sheathing
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It's a niche product because, generally speaking, current building codes don't require the use of exterior rigid foam. Builders have a say when it comes to the implementation of new building codes and from what I've read they really don't want to have to add exterior insulation of any kind.
The absolute cheapest way to go is to frame as usual and then attach reclaimed rigid foam to the exterior of the sheathing.
You could investigate "nailbase" plus a fully adhered WRB (eg, Blueskin). Or at 1.5", skip the OSB (ie, just foam with diagonal strapping to address racking).
"It's a niche product because, generally speaking, current building codes don't require the use of exterior rigid foam."
That is definitely not true in most of CO. I'm also investigating thermalstar one, as I also have very high winds and my SE advised against zip R because its weaker with the foam next to the studs. In your research did you find out the cost difference? Is thermalstar actually cheaper than Zip R? I'd be surprised.
Thermalstar one also come with its complications from what I can tell, you need a specific approved nail gun to make sure all your nails go through the foam, so your framers need to be trained to not mess it up. Then you have to seal all the nail holes with special transparent tape that allows the nailing to be inspected. Are there really going to be any cost savings compared to Zip R?
"The absolute cheapest way to go is to frame as usual and then attach reclaimed rigid foam to the exterior of the sheathing."
If I can source reclaimed rigid foam easily I'll likely got that way, though labor is whats expensive now a days. Doubt it will be cheaper overall either way.
Bruce,
For more information on ThermalStar nailbase panels, as well as several other similar products for walls, see this article: "Nailbase Panels for Walls."