Building Q+A

• Q: How is plumbing and electrical done in a panel home?

• A: Sunlight homes are designed so that most of the plumbing and a lot of the wiring is run in the crawlspace under the floor and through interior frame walls.

Wiring is necessary in the exterior SIP walls too and there are usually a couple places where plumbing chases are needed in exterior walls; the kitchen sink for example.

Most panel manufacturers build conduit into the panels and wiring is fished through the conduit once the structure is erected. We've found that electricians have some difficulty doing this and they often charge extra for the trouble.

In our homes we nail 2"x2" furring strips vertically every 16" and leave a space at the bottom of each strip. The wiring is attached directly to the inside OSB skin of the panel. Remodeling electrical boxes are used because they are shallow and don't cut into the panels. Once the wiring is run, the drywall is applied to the furring strips. This method simplifies the electrical work and remodeling and meets code.

• Q: How long does it take to build a Sunlight Home?

• A: Our custom design process usually takes 2 to 4 months from concept through working drawings. Design time can vary depending on the size and complexity of the home, our work load and our clients' availability. It is important to us that, once a design is begun, it continues at a reasonable pace until it is finished. This is important for design continuity.

In most situations, construction of a Sunlight home takes from 4-6 months depending on the size and complexity of the project, weather and availability of local labor. Panelized construction is often thought to be a fast way to build, but our experience has been that it doesn't really make much of an impact on the overall length of a project. Besides, the reason you build a panel home is for the comfort, strength and energy efficiency of the finished product; not the construction time.

• Q: My realtor thought I would have a hard time finding a development that would allow me to build a "manufactured structure." Is this a common theme from potential clients?

• A: Thirty plus years ago, when we first started building SIP homes, we alway had to educate banks and architectural review boards about SIP homes. Once they understood our construction method, we were easily accepted. In fact, we have never been denied acceptance—even in areas with very strict covenants and restrictions.

These days SIP homes are understood by developments, review boards and banks. They have now developed a prescriptive building method for SIPs which makes the approval process even more streamlined. If you run into anyone who is needs info on SIPs, just send them to our web site, Murus (our panel manufacturer) at murus.com, or to the Structural Insulated Panel Association web site at sips.org.