Building system

Abstract

A building wall structure having increased heat insulating qualities. The building wall structure comprises a plurality of foam panels that are arranged substantially around the exterior of the building frame. The plurality of foam panels collectively define an insulative barrier. The insulative barrier is also designed such that exterior cladding such as stucco, siding, or the like can be attached to the insulative barrier. Moreover, the attachment hardware used to attach the foam panels to the frame and the cladding to the foam panels are substantially isolated thermally to thereby inhibit heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the building.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A building wall structure comprising: 
 a building frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each including an outer side and an inner side, the plurality of outer sides collectively defining an exterior side of the building frame;    an insulative barrier comprising a plurality of insulative panels, each including an inner side that is positioned adjacent to the exterior side of the frame and an outer side separated from the inner side by a first thickness, the plurality of insulative panels collectively defining an exterior side of the insulative barrier;    a plurality of attachment members, each including: 
 a first portion positioned adjacent to the inner side of the respective insulative panel; and  
 a second portion that partially lies within the first thickness of the respective insulative panel;  
   a plurality of first fasteners attaching the plurality of insulative panels to frame members via the first portion of the attachment members such that each first fastener is isolated from the exterior side of the insulative barrier by the first thickness; and    cladding positioned adjacent to the outer side of the insulative barrier and attached to the insulative barrier with a plurality of second fasteners that extend through a portion of the first thickness.    
     
     
         2 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one insulative panel comprises a film capable of inhibiting radiative heat transfer, wherein the film is attached adjacent to the inner side of the insulative panel.  
     
     
         3 . The building wall structure of  claim 2 , wherein the film comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         4 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an inner sheet positioned at a distance away from the inner side of each frame member so as to cause substantially stagnant air to be juxtaposed between the inner sheet and the insulative barrier.  
     
     
         5 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein each insulative panel is made of polystyrene.  
     
     
         6 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein each insulative panel is made of urethane.  
     
     
         7 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first thickness equals approximately four inches.  
     
     
         8 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein the frame members include a plurality of rafters and studs, the rafters positioned atop the studs, wherein the insulative barrier is positioned atop the rafters.  
     
     
         9 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein each second fastener is attached to the second portion of the respective attachment member.  
     
     
         10 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of expansion strips, each partially embedded within at least two insulative panels, wherein at least one second fastener is attached to the respective expansion strip.  
     
     
         11 . The building wall structure of  claim 7 , wherein each insulative panel has a width of approximately two feet and a height of approximately six feet.  
     
     
         12 . The building wall structure of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment members include a plurality of eave brackets, individually positioned adjacent to an intersection of the rafters and studs such that the first portion of the typical eave bracket is attached to a rafter and at least one second fastener is attached to the second portion of the eave bracket.  
     
     
         13 . The building wall structure of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one bat, which is positioned at an intersection of at least two insulative panels, wherein roofing material is attached to the at least one bat.  
     
     
         14 . The building wall structure of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one bat causes the roofing material to be separated at a second distance from the insulative panels.  
     
     
         15 . The building wall structure of  claim 14 , wherein the second distance is equal to 0.5 inches.  
     
     
         16 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein each attachment member includes at least opening through which at least one first fastener attaches the attachment member to a frame member.  
     
     
         17 . The building wall structure of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one opening is surrounded by a dimple.  
     
     
         18 . The building wall structure of  claim 1 , wherein each attachment member comprises at least one opening so as to remove thermally conductive material therefrom and consequently reduce thermal energy transfer through the attachment member.