and its Products and Services
We’d like to offer you this list of commonly asked questions in hopes that it will give you a better understanding of what
FUTURE BUILDING OF AMERICA has to offer.
1. Q: What are Stress Skin Panels?
A: Stress
Skin Panels are insulated panels with a core of Rigid Expanded Polystyrene
(EPS) foam
between an exterior and interior
skin. The most common material used for the skin is Structurwood
OSB (Oriented Strand Board.) The two
skins carry all the loading stresses of the structure, while
the foam keeps the two skins aligned
and provides the R-Value.
2. Q: Do
FBA’s panels contain Urea Formaldehyde, CFC’s or HCFC’s?
A: No.
They never have and never will! Our reason is simple; we want to provide the
safest and the best
product in today’s market place.
3. Q: How
are the panels made?
A: The
FBA panels are made with a continuous lamination process. The glue is applied
directly to the
foam inner core. The core is then
sandwiched between the two skins, and the panel is pressed
until the adhesive has impregnated
both the foam and the OBS.
4. Q: Why
is OSB used instead of plywood?
A: There
are a number of reasons. First the OSB is more stable, particularly in high
moisture
conditions where delamination and
linear expansion are much more likely to occur in plywood.
OSB is also available in much longer
lengths. Finally, and most importantly it is made from fast-
growing, quickly replaceable, second
growth trees making it less expensive than plywood,
producing a more affordable finished
product without depleting our precious natural resources.
5. Q: What
kind of OSB is used in making the panels?
A: We
use only Structurwood. Structurwood eliminates warping, buckling, delamination,
core
voids, knot holes, sagging, inconsistencies, non-uniformity and other problems that can occur.
6. Q: Can
Structurwood be used anywhere Plywood is used?
A: Yes.
It has the same or better APA Grade Stamp, performance test, load bearing
capabilities,
installation instructions and span
rating compared to plywood and it uses the same tools, nails and
spacing.
7. Q: How
is electrical wiring installed in FBA panel homes?
A: Each
panel comes directly from our facility with a vertical and horizontal
electrical chase already
cut in the EPS foam core.
8. Q: How
do you run the plumbing?
A: There
really are no differences in running the plumbing when you use and FBA panel.
Plumbing
runs should be kept on the interior
walls just like conventional framing and chases. Exterior
wall vents, and other modifications
can easily be provided as needed.
9. Q: What
are the advantages of using Stress Skin Panel construction over conventional
framing?
A: The
advantages of a Stress Skin Panel home are many. First of all, they can be
erected
very quickly, reducing one of the
biggest cost factors in building – LABOR! The high
R-Value achieved by using a stress
skin panel remains constant, unlike conventional
fiberglass batting. They provide
tremendous interior and exterior design flexibility, and finally they
produce a wall that is 2.35 times
stronger than conventional framing of equal thickness.
10. Q: What
are the disadvantages to using Stress Skin Panel construction?
A: Unfortunately,
some builders are still unfamiliar with construction of this nature, and
hesitate when
approached about using our product.
The techniques required for construction, however, are very
easy to learn and with minimal
assistance from one of our factory representatives, can be
performed by a qualified contractor
in your local area.
11. Q: Can
you assist us in finding a qualified contractor to erect the shell of our new
home with the
FBA panel?
A: Yes!
When you inquire please let us know any kind of assistance you require and we
will gladly
help you.
12. Q: Can
a do it yourself with assistance learn to erect the FBA panels?
A: Yes.
Although it is very helpful to have some background in construction carpentry,
it is not
impossible to achieve the desired
goal. We do suggest you seek assistance from a contractor
or attend a class on home building
and construction techniques before you get started.
13. Q: Do
I need to install a vapor barrier when using a FBA stress skin panel?
A: No.
The panel itself will act as a vapor barrier. Because there are no voids the
panel where
moisture can condense, there are no
moisture problems. The panel will absorb and release
moisture on a seasonal basis, but
there will be no harmful effects of this cycling. Each panel
joint is sealed with an adhesive
during installation, ensuring that there will be no air leaks in your
home and moisture will not be allowed
to build up or penetrate the structure.
14. Q: Do
I need an Air-to-Air Exchanger?
A: We
strongly suggest that an air-to-air exchanger be used when constructing with
FBA panels.
A house with panels will be extremely
“tight”, and the possibility of sweating exists. An air-to-air
exchanger will eliminate this by
exchanging the moisture in and out of your home. It will also
greatly reduce the amount of air
borne dust normally found in all houses and will help to keep
your home smelling fresh.
15. Q: What
happens if it rains while the house is being erected?
A: The
panels will not be damaged by the rain, however long term exposure to water may
cause the
edges to the panels to wick and swell
to a small degree. This can easily be remedied by sanding
flush any rough edges that may have
occurred. Using FBA panels, the house “shell” can be
erected in just days allowing only
minimal exposure to the elements.
16. Q: Can
I use any siding I want?
A: Yes!
While the panels exterior is most commonly OSB, we offer many options for the
panel skins
including stucco, drywall, T-11
siding, Inner Seal, pressure treated lumber for below grade
applications, or any other siding
you may prefer.
17. Q: How
are the Doors and Windows installed?
A: The
preferred method is to erect the panels and then cut in the door and window
openings,
allowing for on-site modifications.
Dimensional lumber is then added to facilitate the installation
of the doors and windows. We can also
cut the openings in the factory, install the dimensional
lumber into the openings and deliver
the panel to the job site. The second method takes more time
at the factory, deletes the
possibility of on side modifications and adds somewhat to the cost of the
panel. For ease of your project and
added savings, the first method is usually preferred.
18. Q: What
kind of heating units do you recommend?
A: Any
type of unit will work. We suggest that you check with your heating contractor
and have an
energy analysis done to ensure you
have the proper heating and cooling units for your home.
19. Q: What
do I finish the interior walls of my home with?
A: There
are several options, but the interior walls are normally finished with drywall.
The FBA panel
Provides for a constant nail or screw
base for any finish that you may want.
20. Q: HOW
do I get started?
A: Just
call us and set up an appointment for one of our representatives to meet with
you. We can
answer any other questions that you
may have and begin the process to make your new home
exactly what you and your family
want. A set of blueprints or a basic design can help us to estimate
the cost of your home and assistance
in design can be provided. Don’t hesitate to call, no question
is too small!