SIPs for High Elevation and Heavy Snow Loads
LaurenS88| Posted inGeneral Questionson
Hello,
We are looking to build a basic ~500sq ft ADU in Truckee, CA. Snow load 182lbs per sf. We are exploring using SIPS or purchasing a SIPS panelized kit. Does anyone know of any examples of SIPS being used in small construction in high elevations?
Thank you!
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Replies
I have done SIP plans at 7,000 ft elevation with 125 lbs snow load. It is likely with the small footprint you will want too many windows & doors, that will be a problem for the SIPS lateral capacity for earthquakes. Part of the snow load is carried into the seismic calculation. A plywood shearwall double stud wall will be easier to engineer & build for lateral & gravity loads- then you can do a SIP roof.