Q: Do Planet Panels Paks meet the National Building Code?
A: Yes, all Planet Panels Paks are factory manufactured to meet the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC).
Q: Are Planet Panels building systems considered a “Green Building System”?
A: Absolutely. Planet Panels Paks use environmentally sustainable materials in their construction, and are manufactured in a controlled factory environment with waste management and materials recycling. They have less environmental impact during their rapid installation, generate virtually no site waste, and produce a completed building with a superior lifetime building envelope requiring less energy to heat and cool and greater control of indoor air quality.
Q: How large can you make your panels?
A: Typical Planet WallPak and FoundationPak panels are manufactured up to 30 feet in length; however larger panels can be accommodated. FloorPak panels are typically 12 feet wide by up to 40 feet in clear spanning length.
Q: How much will a wall weigh?
A: A typical WallPak panel will not exceed 1200lbs.
Q: Are the wall systems structural?
A: All of Planet Panels Paks are structurally designed, meaning that the builder does not need to add any additional structure to support them.
Q: Are the Panels engineered?
A: When required under the National or local building codes, or under request from the local authority having inspection jurisdiction, the Planet Panels Paks will be provided with an Engineer’s seal. This is generally not required on WallPak except under “tall-wall” conditions, but is standard on FloorPak and TrussPak.
Q: What is the R value of the exterior walls?
A: The R-Value of the foam insulation in the WallPak is R-23. However, a more important characteristic of the WallPak is that it is fully cavity filled (not allowing any convective air movement), fully sealed, and is thermally stable across all typical operating temperatures. These attributes provide whole wall performance that standard batt and poly wall insulation cannot possibly achieve.
Q: How does Planet Panels accomplish a zero draft building envelope?
A: Through the use of SIP grade Jumbo (8’x24’) OSB sheets, thermally broken framing and full cavity filled foam insulation, a Planet Panels WallPak virtually eliminates the possibility of air migration through the wall system.
Q: Are there options to increase the R value if I want to?
A: Planet Panels has designs that can provide custom densities of different varieties of foam to create wall assemblies with greater R-Values.
Q: Do you need Vapor barrier?
A: The WallPak requires that a vapour barrier be applied to the warm side of the assembly onsite.
Q: Are all door and window openings pre-framed to order?
A: All Planet Panels Paks are fully fabricated, meaning that they are custom built to suit their designated location in the constructed building. All door and window rough openings, electrical chases and plumbing (if applicable) are factory created.
Q: Why is the Planet Panels FloorPak insulated rim system superior to others?
A: The Planet Panels FloorPak rim is fully insulated with high density foam to R20 in the factory and is completely covered to the inside, removing any requirement for the builder to deal with the rim later in the construction process.
Q: What tools do I need to install Planet Panels building systems?
A: In addition to the hoisting equipment, most installations require nothing but fastening tools, foam adhesives and acoustical sealants.
Q: How do I install electrical, plumbing and heating in Planet Panels building systems?
A: In the WallPak, all required electrical and plumbing chases are factory cut in precise locations. In the FloorPak, all electrical and HVAC runs inside the open web wood truss with ease, removing the tradesman’s requirement for drilling and cutting and allowing for much greater design flexibility than with I-Joist or dimensional lumber floors.
Q: What is the fire rating?
A: The only Planet Panels product that provides a fire rating is the MultiPak, which is designed for multifamily construction. Planet Panels has options to allow any of its Paks to be factory flame-spread rated.
Q: Does Planet Panels use any Formaldehyde?
A: All OSB products used by Planet Panels are formaldehyde free.
Q: How does the cost of using the Planet Panels building systems compare to the building the old way?
A: Planet Panels building systems are extremely competitive with conventional construction when all costs, risks and factors of construction are considered.
Q: Will my new Planet Panels built home be quieter than conventional home construction?
A: Planet Panels building systems provide excellent sound attenuation and meet or exceed all Sound Transmission Classification requirements.
Q: What type of energy savings can I expect using the Planet Panels building systems?
A: When all Planet Panels building systems are utilized, a homeowner can expect up to a 40% reduction in heat loss as compared to conventional batt & poly insulation. These savings are stable for the lifetime of the home.
Q: Will my home be a healthier environment?
A: Because of the tremendous reduction of air leakage as compared to conventional construction, a Planet Panels built home allows greater homeowner control over air quality and thermal comfort.
Q: Why are Planet Panels wall systems better than SIP panels? What are the advantages?
A: SIP panels are also an excellent alternative to conventional construction. However, because they are not currently a part of the National Building Code of Canada, most building constructed using SIP panels need structural engineering. As well, many building designs that have specific structural requirements can be more difficult to construct and generate much more waste that by utilizing Planet Panels building systems.
Q: How much time and money can I save during construction?
A: Time is money. And a great deal of time is always saved by utilizing Planet Panels. A typical bungalow can be assembled to lockup in a single day, and more complex two storey homes can be assembled in two to three days. The same home conventionally built may take 2-4 weeks to frame, and is not yet insulated.
Q: Do your products address the thermal bridging problem that conventional framing and other panel systems have?
A: Planet Panels utilizing thermally broken framing in virtually all aspects of its products, including WallPak framing, splining and door & window openings, as well as FloorPak insulated rim.
Q: Will Planet Panels building systems qualify for Built-Green and LEED projects?
A: Planet Panels building systems provide many valuable scoring points in virtually all energy efficient measurement systems, including Built-Green and LEED.
Q: Are there any size, design or architectural restrictions with Planet Panels building systems?
A: Planet Panels building systems are fully fabricated to suit virtually any home design. Any building classification that can be framed from wood, up to four stories in height, can be constructed utilizing Planet Panels.
Q: How will using the Planet Panels building systems affect the value of my home?
A: Many jurisdictions are seeing higher appraised values of homes constructed using foam insulated panelized building systems, because of the inherent lower operating cost and longer life cycle expectancy of the home.
Q: What is the warranty provided with Planet Panels building systems?
A: Planet Panels provides a manufacturer’s warranty of 25 years on all of its Paks. Please ask to be provided with a detailed warranty statement.
