US20080276568A1

US20080276568A1 - Building structure and components thereof

Info

Publication number: US20080276568A1
Application number: US12/047,449
Authority: US
Inventors: Wade Adams; David Rogne
Original assignee: EMERCOR Ltd; Atco Structures Inc
Current assignee: Atco Structures and Logistics Ltd; EMERCOR Ltd
Priority date: 2000-01-12
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Also published as: JP2003520820A; KR20030010578A; EP1246628A1; BR0107585B1; KR100858256B1; IL150690A0; US6426066B1; MXPA02006847A; HK1053423A1; CN1289095C; CA2582676A1; AU2008201146A1; EP1246628A4; CA2401590A1; BR0107585A; US20020176885A1; IL150690A; CN1395489A; BRPI0107585B8; ZA200205574B

Abstract

Building components and building structures including structurally insulated panels and cavities for accommodating building services, which cavities are insulated and vapor sealed. The cavity is formed by providing cross beams that accept connection therebetween of structurally insulated panels on one end, but include portions that extend beyond the surface of the structurally insulated panels to accept structural sheating thereon. Building components are also taught that include keyed connections between cross beams and structurally insulated panels.

Description

FIELD

This invention relates to building structures and components thereof and in particular to manufactured building structures and floor and roof components thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Manufactured building structures are useful in various applications such as residential housing, worker housing, school and office expansion and temporary or moveable sites.
An ongoing challenge of manufactured building structures is with respect to the construction of structures that offer manufacturing and transport capabilities of interest, while being within building code requirements. This is particularly true in manufactured building structures that are intended either directly or in a secondary application to be used as residential housing, since residential building codes may be more stringent than those for non-residential or dormitory type uses.

SUMMARY

A building structure and building components have been invented.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided, a planar building component comprising: cross beams extending substantially laterally in the planar building component, the cross beams each including an upper portion with a top surface and a lower portion formed at least in part integral with the upper portion; at least one longitudinal support member each supporting at least a pair of the cross beams in relative position in the building component; structurally insulated panels, each including a lower sheet material layer, an upper sheet material layer and foam insulation therebetween, the structurally insulated panels being connected to the lower portions of the cross beams to span a space between adjacent cross beams, the connection between the panels and the cross beams leaving the upper portion of the cross beams protruding above the panels; and component sheathing installed above the top surfaces of the cross beams creating a cavity between the panels and the component sheathing.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided, a building structure comprising: a horizontal building component including cross beams extending substantially laterally in the planar building component, the cross beams each including an upper portion with a top surface and a lower portion formed at least in part integral with the upper portion; at least one longitudinal support member each supporting at least a pair of the cross beams in relative position in the building component; structurally insulated panels, each including a lower sheet material layer, an upper sheet material layer and foam insulation therebetween, the structurally insulated panels being connected to the lower portions of the cross beams to span a space between adjacent ones of the cross beams, the connection between the panels and the cross beams leaving the upper portion of the cross beams protruding above the panels; and component sheathing installed above the top surfaces of the cross beams creating a cavity between the panels and the component sheathing; and a wall member extending substantially vertically from the horizontal building component.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided, a planar building component comprising: cross beams extending substantially laterally in the planar building component, the cross beams each including an upper portion with a top surface, a lower portion and a protrusion extending from at least one side of the lower portion; at least one longitudinal support member each supporting at least a pair of the cross beams in relative position in the building component; structurally insulated panels, each including a lower sheet material layer, an upper sheet material layer and foam insulation therebetween, the lower sheet material layer and the upper sheet material layer extending out beyond the foam insulation to form a channel along a panel edge, the structurally insulated panels being connected to the lower portions of the cross beams to span a space between adjacent cross beams, the connection having the protrusion inserted between and connected to the lower sheet material layer and the upper sheet material layer; and component sheathing installed above the top surfaces of the cross beams creating a cavity between the panels and the component sheathing.
It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is useful for other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical, prior art structurally insulated panel.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a floor component partially in exploded configuration.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view along line I-I of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a beam useful in the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a longitudinal sectional view through a building structure.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view along line II-II through the building structure of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a front elevation of a beam useful in the present invention.

FIG. 3D is an enlarged view of the area shown in FIG. 3B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
FIG. 1 shows a structurally insulated panel 1, such a panel typically including a first sheet material layer 2 and a second sheet material layer 4, forming substantially outer side planar surfaces of the panel, and an insulating foam material layer 6 between the sheet material layers. The sheet material layers may be substantially rigid, for example, formed of wood (plywood, OSB, etc), metal, drywall, polymers, etc. The insulating foam may be of polyurethane, styrene, etc. Generally, the side and end limits of sheet material layers 2, 4 may be offset from the side and end limits of the insulating foam layer to create overhanging portions 2 a, 4 a and/or recessed portions of the material such that grooves 8 are formed between overhanging portions and shoulders 9 are formed at the recesses. Such grooves 8 and shoulders 9 may be used to create interlocking joints, such as tongue-in-groove type joints, between adjacent panels and between a panel and other building members such as beams. For example, a side edge of one part may be inserted into a groove 8 formed in the panel and may be secured between overhanging portions 2 a, 4 a. A structurally insulated panel is hereinafter referred to as a SIP.
Structurally insulated panels (SIPs) may be used to construct a planar building structural component such as a floor, a roof or a wall. With reference to FIG. 2 in one embodiment of the present invention, a floor 22 may be constructed using SIPs 10. While the floor may be useful in various structures, the illustrated floor has various attributes that render it useful in manufactured housing including those structures intended for use directly or eventually as residential housing. Floor 22 is shown partially constructed and in partial exploded configuration to facilitate illustration thereof.
The illustrated floor includes one or more longitudinal support members 24 extending in a first direction, one or more cross beams 26 extending between beams 24 and a plurality of SIPs 10 secured to cross beams 26.
A plurality of beams 26 may extend substantially laterally and are spaced apart along the length of the floor. One or more longitudinal support members 24 are provided to secure the plurality of beams 26 in position relative to each other. Generally, longitudinal support members 24 are each secured to at least a pair of beams 26 to hold them in relative position to resist lateral loads and, for example, members 24 may be secured to beams 26 at their ends and at upper and lower positions thereof. Longitudinal support members 24 may be continuous along the length of the floor, as illustrated, or may include a plurality of members positioned along the length of the floor.
In some embodiments such as the one illustrated, longitudinal support members 24 may be provided to act between the remainder of the structure, including the remainder of the floor, the walls, roof, etc. and a supporting structure or structures, such as piles, a skid, a continuous or non-continuous foundation or a sub frame. In the illustrated embodiment, floor 22 is intended to be supported on a perimeter foundation of foundation walls or piles and, thus, longitudinal support members 24 are positioned along side edges of the floor.
Two cross beams 28 extend between beams 24 and form the end limits of the floor. Members 24 may also be connected to beams 28, if desired.
Beams 24, 26, 28 provide some structural integrity for the floor and accommodate loads. Beams 24, 26, 28 may be formed of various materials such as lumber, engineered lumber, SIP beam, metal, structural polymers, etc., as desired, with consideration as to the forces to be accommodated thereby.
Beams 26 each include a lower portion 26 a and an upper portion 26 b, with the lower portion formed at least in part integral with the upper portion so that the two portions 26 a, 26 b act together. Beams 26 may for example be formed as extruded members, as a single one-piece structure or of a plurality of connected pieces such as a truss form. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a single piece of material forms the inner core of lower portion 26 a and upper portion 26 b. Upper portions 26 b each include at least one opening therethrough to provide access from one side to the other of the beam. The openings in the illustrated embodiment are constructed as notches 30 formed from a top beam surface 26 c. Alternately, the openings may be formed as holes formed or cut through the material of upper portion 26 b with material substantially continuously thereabout or as notches from end beam surfaces 26 d, as desired. For example, openings may be formed by the members used to form a beam, if for example, the beams are formed of webbed or strut construction. Although in the illustrated embodiment, each beam includes two rectangular openings, with one on each end of the beam, such a configuration can vary in opening shape, number and position. Also, although the openings are shown consistent in size, shape and position such that they are aligned from beam to beam, the form, shape and size of the openings and their positions along their beam may vary from beam to beam, as desired.
A SIP 10 spans the open area created by the space between each adjacent pair of beams 26, 28 and between longitudinal members 24. Lower portion 26 a of each beam 26 accepts connection of SIP 10, the SIPs and the beams are formed such that each upper portion 26 b protrudes above the SIP, when the SIP is secured to the beam. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 26 c has a protrusion 32 formed thereon including a shoulder 20 to fit into channels 18 formed on the SIP edges, such that the parts become keyed together. Protrusion 32, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed elongate to extend along the length of each beam. Other configurations such as a plurality of spaced apart protrusions positioned along lower portion 26 a may alternately be of use although possibly more complex to mass produce. Protrusion 32 may be formed by building up the materials of the beam along lower portion 26 a, by removing portions of the beam along upper portion 26 b or, as shown, connecting an elongate piece of material, such as a piece of lumber, along the length of the lower portion of beam 26. In the illustrated embodiment, SIPs 10 are keyed to beams 26, 28 to form a major portion of the building component.
Members 24 and beams 28 may also be formed with a lower portion 24 a, 28 a, respectively, and an upper portion 24 b, 28 b, respectively. The lower portion and the upper portion of each beam may be formed integral in the beams to avoid differential performance (i.e. against sag, and flexing stresses, etc.) of the two portions, as would be the case where the two parts were connected in close contact but formed separately. Lower portions 24 a, 28 a accommodate adjacent positioning or provide connection to SIPs 10. In one embodiment, lower portions 28 a of beams 28 may each include a protrusion therealong to provide for a jointed connection to a grooved edge 18 of the SIP attached thereto.
Upper portions 24 b, 28 b of the beams may also protrude above the upper surface of the panels 10 to which they are attached and provide top surfaces 24 c, 28 c that extend substantially in a plane with top surfaces 26 c of beams 26.
If desired, SIPs 10 may each include an upper skin 12 and a lower skin 14 that both extend beyond the SIP's foam core 16 so that channels 18 are defined by upper and lower extensions 12 a, 14 a. In such an embodiment, the floor may be manufactured by keying and securing the beam protrusions 32 into the channels with a skin extension extending out along both the upper and lower sides of the protrusion. Lower skin extension 14 a may be longer than extension 12 a and for example generally ½ the thickness of the beam's lower portion 26 a such that the skin extensions on either side of a beam come substantially together below a beam 26 to span substantially across beneath lower portion 26 a. Alternately or in addition, each SIP may be secured through both skin extensions 12 a, 14 a to beams. Securing may be by fasteners, adhesives, deformation, etc. Keying the beams into channels formed by upper and lower skins 12 a, 14 a enhance floor strength over a keying process relying on engagement provided by a channel/shoulder including only one skin extension.
If desired, skin extensions may also be formed to extend out above and below any protrusions on beams 24 and 28.
Floor 22 further includes a top sheet material 34 connected directly or indirectly to at least some top surfaces 24 c, 26 c, 28 c of the beams and members. Floor finishing materials such as sub flooring, carpet, rolled flooring, tiles, hardwood, etc may be laid on top of the top sheet material 34. Because the top surfaces of the beams are spaced above the SIPs, a cavity 36 may be formed between the upper surface of SIPs 10 and the underside of top sheet material 34. Cavity 36 may be in communication through the beams by openings 30. Cavity 36 and openings 30 provide a chaseway 38 for running services, such as water lines, forced air ducts for heating and/or cooling, electrical, etc. Since SIPs 10 may provide an insulative effect and possibly also a vapor barrier effect, cavity 36 and the services contained therein, such as water lines, may be protected against the elements and form part of the controlled interior building envelope. In particular, SIPs 10 and their connection to beams may be selected to provide the full insulation and vapor barrier for the floor such that no further insulation and vapor barrier materials need be installed in floor 22. Sealants such as foam or other liquid or film materials may be applied to seal the interfaces between panels 10, members 24 and beams 26, 28.
A floor according to the present description may offer performance characteristics that may offer a benefit over some aspects of conventional, non-SIP construction, as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1

	Conventional -	Floor using present
Description	no SIPS	SIP construction

Span (Feet)	12	12
Depth (Inches)	18	12
Impenetrable Air/Vapour Barrier	NO	YES
R-Value	R28	R44
Weight (LBS)	Heavier	Lighter
Warm Cavity for Ductwork	NO	YES
Warm cavity for plumbing	NO	YES
Load Capacity(LBS/SF)	40	~100

If, desired, substantially the full load bearing performance of the floor may be accommodated in the lower portions of beams 24, 26, 28 and the SIPs therebetween so that treatment of the upper portions of the beams may not require much consideration with respect to the performance of the beams. For example, openings 30 may be formed without jeopardizing the load bearing performance of the floor beyond acceptable ratings (i.e. with consideration to building codes, etc). In one embodiment, for example, openings 40 may be formed through longitudinal support beams 24 for access to cavity 36 such as, for example, to provide a port for inlet or outlet of services.
If needed or desired, a fill frame 42 may be installed above a SIP between beams 26 and 24, to provide further support for sheet material 34. Fill frame 42 may be installed in various ways and configurations. In one embodiment, fill frame 42 is installed to leave service chaseways open between openings 30, while providing acceptable support spacings for sheet materials 34, as may be dictated by building codes.
Referring to FIG. 3, a building structure 150 is shown according to one aspect of the invention including a floor structure 122. Floor structure includes laterally extending beams 126 and longitudinal support members 124.
Beams 126 each include a lower portion 126 a and an upper portion 126 b, with the lower portion integral with the upper portion so that the two portions 126 a, 126 b act together in response to longitudinal and lateral stresses. In the illustrated embodiment, for example shown in FIG. 3C, beam 126 is formed of a single piece of engineered lumber (for example, laminated veneer lumber), which forms both the upper portion and the lower portion of the beam. Upper portions 126 b each include at least one opening 130 therethrough to provide access from one side to the other of the beam. The openings in the illustrated embodiment are constructed as notches 131 extending down from a top beam surface 126 c. The openings are aligned from beam to beam to permit the formation of a chaseway therethrough.
At least one SIP 110 spans the open area between each adjacent pair of beams 126. In some embodiments, more than one SIP may be used to fill the area between beams. Such SIPs may be joined, keyed, secured and/or sealed together, as desired.
Lower portion 126 a of each beam 126 accepts connection of a SIP 110 on each side thereof, the SIPs and the beams are formed such that each upper portion 126 b protrudes above the SIP upper surface 110 a, when the SIP is secured to the beam. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 126 a has a protrusion 132 formed thereon to fit into a channel 118 formed on the SIP edge, such that the parts become keyed together. Protrusion 132, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed by connecting an elongate member along the length of the lower portion of beam 126.
A plurality of longitudinal support members 124 are provided to secure the cross beams in relative position against lateral shear loads. In the illustrated embodiment, the SIP edges include a channel 118 therealong formed between the upper sheet member 112 and the lower sheet member 114 of the SIPs and longitudinal members 124 such as a one or more strips of sheet material or pieces of lumber are positioned in the channels secured to at least a pair of adjacent cross beams 126, as by use of adhesives or fasteners, in the channel. If desired, further longitudinal support members 124 a may be installed along the upper portions 126 b of the cross beams to further resist shear loads. Elongate members 124, 124 a can be installed to extend from one cross beam to an adjacent cross beam to thereby provide some rigidity across the beams and the SIP therebetween, for example SIP 110 a. In another embodiment, the members 124, 124 a may be installed to extend substantially continuously from end to end of the floor.
The illustrated floor further includes a plurality of longitudinal support beams 151 extending in a first direction on which the plurality of cross beams 126 are supported. Longitudinal beams 151 are formed and positioned to support the floor against end to end bending and act between the floor and the supporting structure on which the structure is installed. In the illustrated embodiment beams 124, 151 may steel I-beams formed as a skid, but may also be of lumber.
The end edges of the floor not connected to beams 126 may be protected by positioning sheathing or an edging therealong. Edging 152 protects the end edges and provides a base onto which further building materials may be secured.
Floor 122 further includes a top sheet material 134 connected directly, as shown, or indirectly to at least some top surfaces 126 c of beams. Floor finishing materials such as sub flooring, carpet, rolled flooring, tiles, hardwood, etc may be laid on top of the top sheet material 134. Because the top surfaces of the beams are spaced above the SIPs, a cavity 136 may be formed between the upper surface of SIPs 110 and the underside of top sheet material 134. Cavity 136 may be in communication through the beams by openings 130. Cavity 136 and openings 130 provide a space for running services, such as water lines, forced air ducts for heating and/or cooling, electrical, etc. Since SIPs 110 may provide an insulative effect and possibly also a vapor barrier effect, cavity 136 and the services contained therein, such as water lines, may be protected from the elements and form part of the controlled interior building envelope. In particular, SIPs 110 and their connection to beams may be selected to provide the full insulation and vapor barrier for the floor such that no further insulation and vapor barrier materials need be installed in floor 122.
If, desired, substantially the full load bearing performance of the floor may be accommodated in members 124, the lower portions of beams 126, the SIPs therebetween and beams 151 so that treatment of the upper portions of the beams may not require much consideration with respect to the performance of the beams. For example, openings 130 may be formed without jeopardizing the load bearing performance of the floor beyond acceptable ratings, for example, with consideration to building codes, etc. In one embodiment, for example, openings 140 may be formed from cavity 136 such as, for example, to provide a port for inlet or outlet of services.
If needed or desired, a fill frame 142 may be installed above a SIP to create further surfaces 142 a to support sheet material 134.
A SIP floor 122 may be used in a building with stick frame or other types of construction used for the remaining components including walls and roof. Alternately, however, other planar building components such as the walls and/or the roof may be constructed using SIPs, if desired. The illustrated building structure 150, for example, further includes a roof 154 and walls 156 a, 156 b constructed using SIPs 158, 160, respectively.
Roof 154 may include, for example, a plurality of beams 162 supported between walls 156 a. Beams 162 each include a lower portion 162 a and an upper portion 162 b, with the lower portion integral with the upper portion so that the two portions 162 a, 162 b act together in response to longitudinal and lateral stresses.
At least one SIP 158 spans the open area between each adjacent pair of beams 162. Lower portion 162 a of each beam 162 accepts connection of SIP 158, the SIPs and the beams are formed such that each upper portion 162 b protrudes above the SIP upper surface, when the SIP is secured to the beam. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 162 a has a protrusion 164 formed thereon to fit into a groove 166 formed on the SIP edge, such that the parts become keyed together. Protrusion 164, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed by connecting an elongate member, such as a piece of lumber, along the length of the lower portion of beam 162.
The interconnected arrangement of SIPs 158 and beams 162 create an elongate roof structure. In the illustrated embodiment, upper portion 162 b protrudes above the upper surfaces of SIPs 158 and a roof sheathing 167 may be connected to the upper surfaces 162 c of beams 162 to create cavities 168 therebetween. Cavities 168 may accommodate some building services, but being external to SIPs, will not be insulated from the external building temperature. Of course, if desired, roof 154 could be inverted to position the SIPs 158 along the upper portion of the roof. However, it is noted that construction of the building may be facilitated using a roof structure, as shown, including SIPs 158 and beams 162 jointed together, with the SIPs connected along the lower portions of the beams. In particular, SIPs 158 may be selected that include drywall and/or other interior finishing materials as one sheet material layer 169, the layer that will be downward facing in the final roof structure. Using such a SIP, the roof, once installed, may form directly the ceiling in the building structure. In addition, upper portions 162 b of the beams may be formed to define structure on the roof, such as by forming a slope thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the height of upper portion 162 b at one end (the right side in FIG. 3B) is higher than the height at the other end and the beam height slopes gradually therebetween. As such, upper surfaces 162 c have a slope that is duplicated in the roof sheathing.
Secondary framing including side members 170 and cross members 172 may be installed variously between beams 162, in cavities 168, along SIPs 158 to protect the edges of the SIPs and to provide further support for the roof and wall sheathing. Secondary framing members 170, 172 may be formed to follow the roof sloping established by the shaping of upper portions 162 b.
Walls 156 a, 156 b may also be constructed using SIPs 160. In the illustrated embodiment, SIPs 160 are connected in end to end configuration along the walls with one SIP jointed and adhesively connected to its adjacent SIP or SIPs. SIPs 160 to be used in the walls may be selected to include drywall and/or other interior finishing materials as one sheet material layer 173, the layer that will be inwardly facing in the final wall structure. Walls 156 a, 156 b may be formed with SIPs that include upper and lower extensions 174 a, 174 b on their outer sheet material layer 174. Extensions 174 a, 174 b may be formed by extending outer sheet material layer 174 beyond inner sheet material layer 173 and beyond insulation core 116. Extension 174 a may be formed to extend over the thickness of the roof component and extension 174 b may be formed to extend down over the floor component 122 so that a continuous wall base sheathing is provided, ready for exterior finishing materials.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope as defined in the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article “a” or “an” is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”.

Claims

1. A planar building component comprising:

(a) cross beams extending substantially laterally in the planar building component, the cross beams each including an upper portion with a top surface and a lower portion formed at least in part integral with the upper portion;

(b) at least one longitudinal support member each supporting at least a pair of the cross beams in relative position in the building component;

(c) structurally insulated panels, each including a lower sheet material layer, an upper sheet material layer and foam insulation therebetween, the structurally insulated panels being connected to the lower portions of the cross beams to span a space between adjacent cross beams, the connection between the panels and the cross beams leaving the upper portion of the cross beams protruding above the panels; and

(d) component sheathing installed above the top surfaces of the cross beams creating a cavity between the panels and the component sheathing.

2. The planar building component of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal support member is positioned to act between the cross beams and a supporting structure below the planar building component.

3. The planar building component of claim 1 wherein the upper portions of a plurality of cross beams each include at least one opening therethrough to provide access from one side to the other of those cross beams.

4. The planar building component of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of at least one cross beam includes a protrusion formed thereon to fit into a channel on an edge of a structurally insulated panel and the protrusion is keyed into the channel.

5. The planar building component of claim 1 wherein the lower portions of the cross beams each include a protrusion therealong to provide for a jointed connection to a grooved edge of the structurally insulated panels attached thereto.

6. The planar building component of claim 1 wherein at least one longitudinal support beam is secured on a perimeter of the planar building component.

7. The planar building component of claim 6 wherein the at least one longitudinal support beam includes an opening therethrough for access to the cavity.

8. The planar building component of claim 1 further comprising a fill frame installed above the structurally insulated panels and between cross beams to provide further support for component sheathing.

9. The planar building component of claim 1 further comprising edging materials applied on a perimeter of the planar building component.

10. A building structure comprising:

a horizontal building component including (a) cross beams extending substantially laterally in the planar building component, the cross beams each including an upper portion with a top surface and a lower portion formed at least in part integral with the upper portion; (b) at least one longitudinal support member each supporting at least a pair of the cross beams in relative position in the building component; (c) structurally insulated panels, each including a lower sheet material layer, an upper sheet material layer and foam insulation therebetween, the structurally insulated panels being connected to the lower portions of the cross beams to span a space between adjacent ones of the cross beams, the connection between the panels and the cross beams leaving the upper portion of the cross beams protruding above the panels; and (d) component sheathing installed above the top surfaces of the cross beams creating a cavity between the panels and the component sheathing; and

a wall member extending substantially vertically from the horizontal building component.

11. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the longitudinal support member is positioned to act between the cross beams and a supporting structure below the planar building component.

12. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the upper portions of a plurality of cross beams each include at least one opening therethrough to provide access from one side to the other of those cross beams.

13. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the bottom portion of at least one cross beam includes a protrusion formed thereon to fit into a channel on an edge of a structurally insulated panel and the protrusion is keyed into the channel.

14. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the lower portions of the cross beams each include a protrusion therealong to provide for a jointed connection to a grooved edge of the structurally insulated panels attached thereto.

15. The building structure of claim 10 wherein at least one longitudinal support beam is secured on a perimeter of the planar building component.

16. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the at least one longitudinal support beam includes an opening therethrough for access to the cavity.

17. The building structure of claim 10 further comprising a fill frame installed above the structurally insulated panels and between cross beams to provide further support for component sheathing.

18. The building structure of claim 10 further comprising edging materials applied on a perimeter of the planar building component.

19. The building structure of claim 10 wherein the wall member includes structurally insulated panels.

20. The building structure of claim 19 wherein at least some of the wall structurally insulated panels include an outer sheet material layer, an inner sheet material layer and an insulative layer between the sheet material layers.

21. The building structure of claim 20 wherein the inner sheet material layer includes interior finishing materials.

22. The building structure of claim 20 wherein the wall structurally insulated panels are mounted above the top surfaces of the cross beams and the outer sheet material layer extends down over a perimeter thickness of the horizontal planar member.

23. The building structure of claim 20 further comprising a roof including at least one structurally insulated panel.

24. The building structure of claim 23 wherein the roof includes a plurality of beams, at least two adjacent beams including a lower portion, an upper portion integral with the lower portion and at least one structurally insulated panel spanning an open area between the adjacent beams, the at least one structurally insulated panel including a skin formed of interior finishing materials positioned to be downward facing.

25. The building structure of claim 24 wherein the upper portion of the roof beams are cut to have a depth that decreases from one side to the other, such that a roof slope is formed.

26. A planar building component comprising:

(a) cross beams extending substantially laterally in the planar building component, the cross beams each including an upper portion with a top surface, a lower portion and a protrusion extending from at least one side of the lower portion;

(c) structurally insulated panels, each including a lower sheet material layer, an upper sheet material layer and foam insulation therebetween, the lower sheet material layer and the upper sheet material layer extending out beyond the foam insulation to form a channel along a panel edge, the structurally insulated panels being connected to the lower portions of the cross beams to span a space between adjacent cross beams, the connection having the protrusion inserted between and connected to the lower sheet material layer and the upper sheet material layer; and

27. The planar building component of claim 26 wherein the lower sheet material layer extends out beyond the foam insulation a distance greater than that distance extended by the upper sheet material layer such that the lower sheet material layers from the structurally insulated panels on either side of a cross beam abut below the cross beam.

28. The planar building component of claim 26 wherein the longitudinal support member is positioned to act between the cross beams and a supporting structure below the planar building component.

29. The planar building component of claim 26 wherein the upper portions of a plurality of cross beams each include at least one opening therethrough to provide access from one side to the other of those cross beams.

30. The planar building component of claim 26 wherein at least one longitudinal support beam is secured on a perimeter of the planar building component.

31. The planar building component of claim 30 wherein the at least one longitudinal support beam includes an opening therethrough for access to the cavity.

32. The planar building component of claim 26 further comprising a fill frame installed above the structurally insulated panels and between cross beams to provide support for component sheathing.

33. The planar building component of claim 26 further comprising edging materials applied on a perimeter of the planar building component.