Steel Framed Residential Construction: Demonstration Homes Addendum: Installation of Foam Insulation and Vinyl Siding

Authors: NAHB Research Center Inc.    

Recent materials advances, technical development, availability concerns, and economic uncertainty have prompted homebuilders to examine alternatives to traditional framing materials and methods. Although the alternatives have existed for some time, builders continue to use traditional materials. In many instances, their hesitancy can be attributed to a lack of information that will guide them in using alternative construction materials. In response to heightened interest, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) commissioned a review of available structural materials for homebuilding. The results, Alternatives to Lumber and Plywood in Home Construction, were published in 1993 and identified several promising materials. Further study results released in 199, Alternative Framing Materials in Residential Construction: Three Case Studies, provided insights into the installed cost of several systems. HUD is continuing to research new materials. A previous report, Steel Framed Residential Construction: Demonstration Homes provides builders with practical information and experience, based on the actual construction of two steel framed homes. This addendum provides additional experience on the installation of foam installation and vinyl siding on one of these steel framed homes. It will play a vital role in the Departments' cooperative efforts with the homebuilding and steel industries to development cost-effective, prescriptive methods for steel framed homes.

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