SSWS Explained
Our staggered stud wall system (SSWS panel) is a simple, cost effective solution for creating a high performance, thermally unbroken wall assembly. Panels are framed and sheathed on one side in a factory setting. Once structurally complete, panels are delivered to site where they are erected, weather and air sealed, insulated, and fitted with windows and doors.
Construction
Framing: Our panels feature a staggered stud layout. Walls consist of a 2x8 top and bottom plate with 2x4 studs that alternate between the inside and outside faces of the wall. Alternating (staggering) studs in this way greatly reduces thermal bridging and creates a nearly continuous layer of insulation, improving thermal and acoustic performance and creating a very comfortable and quiet home. Utilizing 2x8 plate material strikes a good balance between cost and performance. It is however possible to increase the plate size and wall thickness to achieve greater levels of insulation.
Insulation: Our panels incorporate natural / organic insulation materials derived from plant / animal sources. Cellulose, wood fiber, and sheep’s wool are examples of typical materials. All of these materials are healthy and sustainable options, providing good thermal performance, while having very low levels of embodied energy / carbon.
Maintaining flexibility in our material selection makes it possible to accommodate customer preference and select the most cost effective material at the time of construction, while adhering to our commitment to build healthy and sustainable homes.
Sheathing: We chose to sheath our panels with plywood rather than OSB as we feel plywood’s superior ability to manage moisture is critical in our PNW climate.
moisture.
Better than Timber Frame
To summarise, our SSWS product offers the following advantages over standard timber stud construction:
Superior thermal performance (U values)
Improved racking performance
Reduced thermal bridging
Reduced noise transference
Reduced waste
Simple and rapid erection
Cost effective
Deeper wall widths