Time-consuming and costly. If rigid foam is not used as the insulation material, the energy efficiency of the structure is only slightly better than stick frame and if rigid foam is used, there are enough gaps between foam and wrap and strap materials to allow air spaces which can cause problems over time. More and more timber framers are recommending the use of enclosure panels to finish the enclosure. Panels are made by laminating rigid foam to osb and other building materials to form a sandwich panel. Other specialty panels are also available.
Panels have a number of advantages over other enclosure methods.
They are the most-energy efficient alternative available. Often timber framers and contractors are unaware of this option, so it may be wise to bring it up. There are a number of panel manufacturers throughout the country. Keywords for your search engine include Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs, Stress Skin Panels, and Building Panels. Also please check out the newsletters that are kept up on the web for timber frames and enclosure, The SIP Building Update and the Timber Frame Update .