NEW HOLLAND, PA – Attendees of the 2013 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas will be able to view the newest product from Superior Walls of America, the Xi Plus™ product line of insulated precast concrete wall systems. Custom-made for the exact needs of each project, Xi Plus panels feature superior strength and insulation for the creation of dry, warm and energy-efficient foundations.
Along with other Superior Walls products, the Xi Plus walls will be on display at booth N2556 during the January 22 – 24, 2013 trade show.
Building on the success of the popular Xi™ walls from Superior Walls®, the enhanced Xi Plus walls feature the additions of Dow® THERMAX™ reinforced polyisocyanurate insulation covering rigid foam insulation and a four-inch insulated footer beam. A four-inch standard floor slab may be poured equal to the height of the footer beam eliminating the need for an additional screed board, which saves time and money in the construction process. Xi Plus panels are now available with a built-in insulation value of R-21.3 and can be insulated up to R-42+.
Energy-Efficient Foundations
Top-of-the-line Xi Plus wall panels are based on the proven design of the Xi wall system and provide builders and homeowners with additional superior benefits. Each custom-made panel is manufactured to the specific needs of a project. Features include:
- 5,000+ PSI concrete reinforced with rebar and polypropylene fibers
- Horizontal steel rebar inside top and bottom beams
- Four precast and insulated access holes in each standard stud to provide greater ease in wiring and plumbing
- Vertical steel rebar inside each stud
- Insulated corners, studs and bond beam
- Galvanized steel stud facing
- Thermally isolated/insulated from exterior
"All Superior Walls products are resource efficient, using up to 70 percent less concrete in a new home than conventional foundations," says Jim Costello, president of Superior Walls. "The custom-made walls include precast openings for windows and doors while stud facings eliminate the need for additional wood framing prior to interior finishing. Using fewer materials helps reduce the carbon footprint of the new home's construction process."
For homeowners, the benefits of Superior Walls foundations systems are substantial. The energy-efficient walls help lower energy costs and reduce energy leakage while providing increased living space in a comfortable setting. Builders also benefit from saved job site time and labor when certified Superior Walls installation crews set the walls in place in less than one day, so that home construction can immediately begin the following day.
Xi Plus wall panels provide R-values that meet or exceed energy conservation values from both the IECC and the IRC. The foundation walls can help in the construction of an ENERGY STAR® qualified home. As a custom wall assembly, Superior Walls products contribute to the overall home insulation value and reduce air infiltration into the home, thereby making a huge impact on the overall energy efficiency rating of the home.
Builders Earn Points
Builders starting new home projects can earn up to 13 potential points towards National Green Building Certification when using energy-efficient Superior Walls insulated precast concrete foundation panels. Superior Walls is the first and only foundation manufacturer whose products are approved to contribute points toward certification of a building under the National Green Building Standard™.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center first awarded the Green Approved designation to Superior Walls Xi and R-5 foundations in 2009, allowing builders the chance to earn up to 10 program points towards National Green Building Certification. The organization now has approved the opportunity for builders to add three additional points for practice #903.2.2, "capillary break is added on footing" when foundation walls are set on a minimum of four-inch thick gravel beds with appropriate foundation drainage.
The Green Approved Products Certificate #00071 provides builders the following points for the use of Superior Walls foundation systems:
- Practice 601.2 – 3 points – Structural systems/advanced framing techniques optimize material usage.
- Practice 601.5 (1-3) – 4 points – Precut/preassembled components, panelized, or precast assemblies are utilized for a minimum of 90% of floor, wall, and/or roof system.
- Practice 607.1 – 3 points – Products containing fewer materials are used to achieve the same end-use requirements as conventional products.
- Practice 701.4.3.1 (1) – Mandatory – Insulation is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or local code. Mandatory for certification.
- Practice 903.2.2 – 3 points – Capillary break is added on footing.
Evaluated for Use in Canada
The Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) has declared that Superior Walls Xi precast concrete insulated wall panels are now evaluated for use in Canada. The evaluation report was issued on November 8, 2012 and opens the door for sales of the popular foundation system throughout Canada.
"We've had intense product interest from builders in Canada for many years," says Costello. "This is an exciting opportunity for us to provide Canadian builders with the top-quality foundation systems they desire. In conjunction with this product evaluation, our company will now move forward in searching for a new manufacturing facility location in Canada. Our goal is to produce Xi panels in Canada to directly supply Canadian builders with our energy-efficient foundation system."
Originally created in 2003 as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional foundation methods, Xi panels have revolutionized the home building industry. Available for installation year-round, the foundation panels provide warm, dry basements for homeowners - even in the harshest and coldest northern climates.
For more information visit www.superiorwalls.com or call 800-452-9255.
