SIPS

The Walls are made with SIP's. Translation: Structural Insulated Panel walls.

Manufactured by Panel Pro out of Keene, NH, the panels went up in less than a week's time.

Consisting of 2 layers of OSB (orientated strand board - a wood manufactured product similar to plywood) bonded either side to a 6" layer of rigid foam insulation. The panels come in large sheets, and are cut to size to fit together like a giant 3D jigsaw puzzle. Window openings are cut into the panels in the factory.

Advantech Decking

Next, the floor joists went on, and on, and then sat there for a year and a half, theoretically protected by a tarp which in reality flew off in the first winter storm. Amazingly, the Advantech held up, and when it came time to put up the walls, was really no worse for the wear. In fact, the panel pro team dubbed it a "poster child for Advantech" because it lasted so well under harsh new england winter conditions!

The Foundation

Here's the Foundation - it went in in 2008.