Insulspan® SIPs boost energy efficiency of cutting-edge Whistler condos

Rod Nadeau of Innovation Building Group has been designing and building energy-efficient condominiums and homes for over 25 years. In Whistler, British Columbia, Nadeau undertook his latest project, Solana. Solana is a 26,000-square-foot, 20-unit condominium complex. The design, as described by Nadeau, is a “home you can actually live in.”

What makes Solana special? To start, it means Solana features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular mountain views. Next, Solana boasts heated garages. Additionally, Solana’s residents enjoy a 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with a barbecue, outdoor kitchen, and individual garden plots for each unit. Finally, and the building’s defining characteristic, it’s exceptionally energy efficient. Solana’s interior comfort and low utility bills are the result of a high performance building envelope.

Innovation Building Group selected the Insulspan® Structural Insulating Panel (SIP) System for the exterior walls of the building. This is because Insulspan SIPs reduce thermal bridging and air leakage. Thermal bridging and air leakage cause heat loss and possible moisture issues, especially in a wet climate like Whistler’s.

So, why did Nadeau build the units’ walls using Insulspan SIPs? “We chose Insulspan SIPs for the walls because there is very little thermal bridging, you can pick the R-values, and they have virtually no air leakage,” said Nadeau. “It is one of the best ways to make an energy-efficient condominium or building.”

“It [Insulspan SIPs] is one of the best ways to make an energy-efficient condominium or building.” – Rod Nadeau, Innovation Building Group

Exactly how do Insulspan SIPs create energy efficient buildings? SIPs provide continuous expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation with minimal dimensional lumber studs. It’s the lumber studs that create a thermal “bridge” of heat transfer to the exterior. Less lumber studs equals less thermal bridging.

Thus, building with Insulspan’s large panels produces better air tightness creating even greater energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. Insulspan’s design team worked closely with Nadeau providing engineered drawings critical to the design phase that also greatly expedited the installation process. Additionally, all Insulspan products are covered by a CCMC Evaluation Report for easy code approval.

Nadeau likes the fact that Insulspan products have been around a long time. More importantly, he said, “…they’ve [Insulspan SIPs] been proven, they’ve been engineered, and they’re easy for the guys to install.”

“We chose Insulspan SIPs for the walls because there is very little thermal bridging, you can pick the R-values, and they have virtually no air leakage.” – Rod Nadeau, Innovation Building Group

“Innovation Building Group brings a high level of experience and knowledge in sustainable construction to this project,” said Insulspan SIPS sales manager, Dave Stevenson. “The combination of Insulspan SIPs and other technologies dramatically reduced energy use and helped create a healthy, green building.”

Learn more about the advantages of building energy efficient condominiums with Insulspan SIPs.