Alternative Housing

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by Hayduke777

East Idaho. The main cost savings is in the total labor. The panels are easier and faster to manufacture than frame walls, the walls can go up in a day, the electrical is easy to run, etc. The 30 percent is the build-it-yourself savings my friend saw versus the total estimate for stick built. Just buying a SIP home from a builder would cost much more but it should still be cheaper. I've hard of SIP homes costing as much or more than stick built in other areas but I can't see why unless it's just price gouging by the builders.

Ok, now I'm starting to get a clearer picture of what you're talking about. It's true that SIP's go up much faster than stick frame, but most of what I've seen indicates that the overall cost of a SIP home will be a bit more than stick. I have no idea about the construction market in your area though, so that's interesting to hear that SIP is cheaper up there.

In either case, the energy savings of a SIP home over stick frame will more than make up for any additional cost on the front end (if there is any).

I've been comparing SIP to ICF. Still not sure which direction I'd pick between those two, because both have their merits. I just know that I like them both more than stick frame homes.

[mistyriver]

My husband has some left over SIPS from a construction project so he's going to build a doghouse with them for our two livestock guardian dogs. They are 170 pound Great Pyrenees so the dog house will be fairly large with a heated floor.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by mistyriverranch

They are 170 pound Great Pyrenees so the dog house will be fairly large with a heated floor.

Great Pyrenees are wonderful dogs. We've got Newfies at our house.