Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

This project demonstrates and evaluates a novel wall assembly called the Solid Panel System (SPS), which is a large-format (8'x24'), solid-wood panel wall. The SPS is an innovative interpretation of the "perfect wall" concept, in which environmental control layers are located on the exterior side of the structure, as opposed to traditionally insulated stud-framed walls. The primary objective of this study is to validate SPS technology in terms of its constructability, cost, and performance. Specifically for this project, we partnered with two affordable housing nonprofits in Minnesota - Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and Urban Homeworks - to build five new houses using SPS walls, as well as two high-performance stud-framed comparison homes. We also reviewed cost and performance data from 13 SPS homes built prior to this project by MonoPath and Spero Environmental Builders. Reviewing the outcomes of these 20 homes total, we find promising results in terms of constructability, cost, and performance, although more data are needed before this new technology can see widespread adoption.