System and method for panelized, superinsulated building envelopes

Abstract

Panelized wall and roof structures for constructing energy efficient buildings. The panelized structures have a structural layer with insulation, an airtight layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to the structural layer, a vapor open blanket layer including insulation and attached to the structural layer via structural screws, a weather resistant barrier provided exterior to the blanket layer and including an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric, and a rain screen provided exterior to the weather resistant barrier and including a drainage plane for channeling moisture away from the weather resistant barrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for constructing an energy efficient building, said system comprising:
 at least one panelized structure having
 a structural layer including a first set of voids and located at an inner area of said at least one panelized structure, said inner area being adjacent to intended living space of said energy efficient building, 
 an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to said structural layer, 
 a blanket layer located exterior to said first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of said vertical members, 
 a weather resistant barrier located exterior to said blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric, 
 a rain screen located exterior to said weather resistant barrier, said rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to said energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, said drainage plane for channeling moisture away from said weather resistant barrier; 
   insulation for placement within said structural layer and said blanket layer; and   wherein said at least one panelized structure is air-sealed and insulated within said first and second sets of voids after installation.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least a first panelized structure and a second panelized structure are provided and include a marriage joint therebetween, said marriage joint configured to provide continuity of said first sheathing layer between said first panelized structure and said second panelized structure and continuity of said second sheathing layer between said first panelized structure and said second panelized structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said first panelized structure is a wall panel and said second panelized structure is a roof panel. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said second panelized structure forms a pitched roof of said energy efficient building. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said second panelized structure forms a flat roof of said energy efficient building. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said first panelized structure and said second panelized structure are both wall panels. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said wall panels form a contiguous straight section of wall. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said wall panels are arranged at a right angle to one another and form an interior corner section of wall. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said wall panels are arranged at a right angle to one another and form an exterior corner section of wall. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said blanket layer is attached to said structural layer via structural screws. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said airtight layer is retained in place between said blanket layer and said structural layer via said structural screws. 
     
     
         12 . A panelized wall structure for constructing an energy efficient building, said panelized wall structure comprising:
 a structural layer having a first set of voids and located at an inner area of said panelized wall structure, said inner area being adjacent to intended living space of said energy efficient building;   an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to said structural layer;   a blanket layer located exterior to said first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of said vertical members;   a weather resistant barrier located exterior to said blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric; and   a rain screen located exterior to said weather resistant barrier, said rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to said energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, said drainage plane for channeling moisture away from said weather resistant barrier.   
     
     
         13 . The panelized wall structure as claimed in  claim 12  further including insulation located within said first and second set of voids. 
     
     
         14 . The panelized wall structure as claimed in  claim 13  further including a marriage joint configured to provide continuity of said first sheathing layer between said panelized wall structure and another first sheathing layer of another panelized wall structure and continuity of said second sheathing layer between said panelized wall structure and another second sheathing layer of another panelized wall structure. 
     
     
         15 . The panelized wall structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said blanket layer is attached to said structural layer via structural screws. 
     
     
         16 . The panelized wall structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said airtight layer is retained in place between said blanket layer and said structural layer via said structural screws. 
     
     
         17 . A panelized roof structure for constructing an energy efficient building, said panelized roof structure for constructing an energy efficient building, said panelized roof structure comprising:
 a structural layer having a first set of voids and located at an inner area of said panelized roof structure, said inner area being adjacent to intended living space of said energy efficient building;   an airtight layer formed by a first sheathing layer providing a primary air barrier and a vapor retarder exterior to said structural layer;   a blanket layer located exterior to said first sheathing layer and formed by a plurality of vertical members with a second set of voids located between each of said vertical members;   a weather resistant barrier located exterior to said blanket layer and including a second sheathing layer formed by an airtight, water-repelling, vapor-open fabric; and   a rain screen located exterior to said weather resistant barrier, said rain screen being adjacent to outdoor space external to said energy efficient building and including a drainage plane internal thereto, said drainage plane for channeling moisture away from said weather resistant barrier.   
     
     
         18 . The panelized roof structure as claimed in  claim 17  further including insulation located within said first and second set of voids. 
     
     
         19 . The panelized roof structure as claimed in  claim 18  further including a marriage joint configured to provide continuity of said first sheathing layer between said panelized roof structure and a corresponding first sheathing layer of a panelized wall structure and continuity of said second sheathing layer between said panelized roof structure and a corresponding second sheathing layer of a panelized wall structure. 
     
     
         20 . The panelized roof structure as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said blanket layer is attached to said structural layer via structural screws, and said airtight layer is retained in place between said blanket layer and said structural layer via said structural screws.