Frequently Asked Questions

Rules of Thumb • Fine Print • Financing

Q:  How do you run electrical wires in panels?

A:  Foam Laminates panels are provided with 1½”x 1½” routed electrical channels. These channels are located behind the interior drywall skin of curtain wall panels or in the center of the foam core in structural panels. The channels run horizontally in the panels at a height of 16” above the finished floor. This location can be varied at the request of the client.

Wiring is run from building corners using wire snakes. Switches and exterior lighting are commonly found next to door openings. To position electrical boxes in locations other than on the electrical channel, the wiring is run vertically behind the door nailers and fed through a manually probed hole in the foam core toward the electrical box.

If electrical boxes are required in locations other than near door openings, the following procedure is used. Typically called the "hot nut" method, a large metal nut is hung from floral wire. The box opening is cut in the required location and another is cut plumb below this location at the electrical channel height. The nut is heated with a propane torch and fed from the upper box location downward toward the electrical channel. This will quickly create the channel required for wiring that box.

Q:  Is plumbing run in panel walls?

A:  No, as with conventional framing, running plumbing in exterior walls is not recommended.  Water pipes set in exterior walls are at a much higher risk of freezing.  Piping is run through interior walls to their required locations.

Q:  Do I need a crane to install panels?Installation of structural insulated roof panels is made easier with a crane

A:  For most houses, a crane is very useful in speeding the application process along.  Wall panels generally do not require a crane for installation.  Roof panels come in two general types, nail base and structural drywall.  Nail base panels are light, single sided units that are generally installed without the need for a crane. Drywall panels are easily damaged in handling, even in small sizes. Drywall roof panels are best installed with the use of a crane.  For safety reasons, a crane should also be used for very tall structures and when exceptionally large panels are required for the project.

Q:  How are overhangs framed?

A:  Eave overhangs are formed by the roof panels and are completed with a 2x framed ladder detail (diagrams are available).  Gable overhangs are completely framed with a 2x ladder detail when using nail base panels.  If structural roof panels are used, they can be installed to create a self supporting gable overhang.

Q:  Will this house be too tight?

A:  Stresskin panel houses are tight by nature.  All new homes should be supplied with some form of ventilation.  Commonly, mechanical ventilation is achieved through the use of exhaust fans.  All bathroom fans, range hoods, and clothes dryers should be vented to the outside.  By running a high efficiency, quiet bathroom fan intermittently, proper ventilation can be attained in a cost effective manner.  To provide fresh air into the home, “smart holes” are installed in exterior walls.  These dampered devices allow a metered amount of exterior air to diffuse into the home.  Heat exchange ventilation systems are available but are often very costly to purchase.  Only the homes benefit from such systems.

Q:  What are possible financing options?

A:  There are a number of banks that offer financing and have worked with our clients. We'll post suggestions here.

M & T Mortgage Corporation

Rules of Thumb

  • A timber frame from Vermont Frames will be 5% to 7% more expensive than a similar conventionally built home.
  • Erected frames are approximately $16 - $18/sf.
  • Stresskin panels are about ½ the cost of the erected frame.
  • Panel installation costs vary by labor rate,  job complexity, and panel type.
  • Erected frame and panel costs are about 20% to 25% of the total project cost, not including land.
  • A completed timber frame home can be built for about $100.00/sf. at a minimum.
  • We can produce a frame and panels in a month under normal conditions.

The Fine Print

  • Customer is responsible for foundation and 1st floor decking.
  • All frames are planed. There is no deduction for rough sawn timbers.
  • Delivery charge is approximately $2.00/ loaded mile for each truck load.
  • Crane charges are the responsibility of the owner.
  • Kit frames are available for 18% off of the erected frame cost.
  • Prices shown within these website pages are approximate based on standard design and are subject to change without notice. Please contact us for an accurate quote.
  • Frame pricing for 8' kneewall includes a third floor loft.

This page updated 3/13/08 .