Homes
using
the
green
building
concept
typically
involve
fewer
materials,
require
less
energy,
emit
less
pollution,
consume
fewer
resources
and
result
in
an
improved
indoor
living
environment.
PorterCorp
Space-Frames
buildings
are
engineered,
designed
and
manufactured
to
have
a
significant
green
element. For
example:
Space-Frames
circular
dome-shaped
structures
are
as
green
as
you
can
get.
Hexagon,
octagon and dodecagon structures all produce long-term energy savings inherently
because
their
wall
and
roof
surface
areas
are
minimized
relative
to
their
square
foot
floor
area.
Because this ratio is significantly lower when using a circular
Space-Frames structure (versus a square or rectangular-shaped building),
heating and air conditioning costs are greatly reduced.
The
steel
framework
of
Space-Frames
structures
is made from recycled material.
The
Structural
insulated
panels
(SIPs)
are
constructed
of
two
materials,
oriented
strand
board
(OSB)
and
expanded
polystyrene
foam
(EPS). OSB is made from fast growing farm raised wood that is cut, chipped
and laminated
to
form
sheathing
that
has
uniform
physical
properties
(an
engineered
wood
product).
OSB
does
not
require
the
use
of
old
growth
or
high
quality
wood
in
its
manufacture.
Testing
conducted
by
the
Oak
Ridge
National
Laboratory
has
confirmed
and
quantified
the
energy efficiency
of
Porter
SIPs. Tests show
that
a
4
1/2"
Porter SIP
out performs a 6 1/2" stick
frame
fiberglass
insulated
wall
under
identical
conditions. The
Porter
SIPs
wall
was 45% more energy efficient and had 90% less air leakage than the stick framed
structure of the same thickness.
The
air
tightness
of
the
Porter
SIP
structure
also
means
fewer
drafts
and
a
more
comfortable
interior.
