Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is MagWall?

2. How much does MagWall cost versus conventional stick framing?

3. How does MagWall differ from a structural insulated panel?

4. How much does MagWall weigh?

5. Is MagWall structural?

6. What is the R Value?

7. Is a vapour barrier required?

8. How do you install wiring?

9. Does MagWall come pre-framed with windows and doors?

10. What tools are required?

11. How does MagWall connect?

12. How do I finish MagWall?

13. What is the fire rating of MagWall?

14. Is Magwall insect resistant?

15. What skills are required to build with MagWall?

16. What style of buildings can be built with Magwall?

17. How is MagWall Environmentally friendly?

1. What is MagWall?

Answer:  Magwall is a high performance, engineered, structural, super insulated solid core wall component that is fire, moisture, mould, and rot resistant.  EPS insulation is structurally cured between two pieces of MagBoard sheathing.  This results in a wall component that is easy and economical to erect and finish, and creates high quality, durable building envelope walls, roofs, and floors that are highly efficient and cost effective.

2. How much does MagWall cost versus conventional stick framing?

Answer:

• Depending on the project - overall cost is comparable or less than conventional stick framing.
• MagWall eliminates the need for framing, applying insulation, applying vapour barrier - and the additional costs of adding drywall to the interior and building wrap and in some cases - non combustible sheathing to the exterior.
• MagWall provides an effective rain screen - eliminating the need for expensive EFIS (exterior finish insulation systems) that create a better air seal and handle moisture.
• Magwall is also economical to finish - especially with Magcote coating - that can be directly spray applied to MagWall without a cementitious base and with a simple treatment on the joints.  Finishing with MagCote creates a stucco like finish for a cost comparable or less than vinyl siding.
• MagWall buildings have significantly lower operating costs - with heating and cooling bills up to 60% less than a conventional building and up to 40% less costly heating and cooling equipment.

3. How does MagWall differ from a structural insulated panel?

Answer: MagWall differs from a structural insulated panel in many ways:

• Conventional structural insulated panels are essentially the structural core of a wall.  MagWall is the wall.  With MagWall - no additional sheathing is required on the interior of the wall and no additional sheathing or finishing is required on the exterior of the wall.   (unless the design calls for finishing)  Both the interior and exterior of the wall are non combustible and have more than double the fire rating of an OSB SIP with conventional drywall applied.
• MagWall uses MagBoardTM  as sheathing.  Unlike conventional SIPS that use OSB or plywood - Magboard is non combustible, is moisture resistant and does not rot or mould.

4. How much does MagWall weigh?

Answer: A typical 4' x 8' x 6.5" panel weighs about 180 lbs.

5. Is MagWall structural?

Answer: Yes.  Tests indicate that MagWall is significantly stronger than conventional 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 walls.  Buildings built with stress skin foam core walls like MagWall have withstood hurricane conditions - with conventionally built buildings failing all around them!

6. What is the R Value?

Answer:  The 6.5" MagWall has a rating of R-20 and a 9.25" wall has a rating of R28, however it is important to note that MagWall far outperforms conventional walls with the same R value rating.  MagWall utilizes a closed cell EPS core.  This results in a solid, air tight wall that requires up to 60% fewer BTU's for heating and cooling vs a conventional wall with the same R value rating.

7. Is a vapour barrier required?

Answer: No.  As long as the joints are properly sealed - vapour barrier is not required.

8. How do you install wiring?

Answer:  Each four foot wide section of MagWall has three 1.5" electrical chases on the interior side of the section.  This allows for ample flexibility for plug ins and light switches.

9. Does MagWall come pre-framed with windows and doors?

Answer:  Not at this time.  MagWall uses a standard 4 x 8 and 4 x 9 panel that is easy and economical to fabricate on site.

10. What tools are required?

Answer:  Regular carpentry tools, a hot knife for cutting EPS and expanding foam.  The hot knife is needed when MagWall is cut to size in the field.  A regular sawblade is suitable for cutting panels.  A skill saw may be used - cutting the wall on both sides and cutting the foam core with a reciprocating saw.

11. How does MagWall connect?

Answer:  MagWall rests on a bottom plate and utilize various vertical spline connections and a top plate.  Please see our website for connection details.

12. How do I finish MagWall?

Answer:  Interior walls can be mud and taped or a textured finish may be applied.  Exterior walls can be painted with battens or treatment of the joints, MagCote coating can be directly applied to walls with treated joints or any type of siding or exterior finish can be applied.  MagWall has excellent pull out strength.

13. What is the fire rating of MagWall?

Answer:  A typical MagWall section has a minimum fore rating of 30 minutes without the need to apply additional sheathing.

14. Is Magwall insect resistant?

Answer:  Magboard sheathing and EPS are inert materials without nutrients.  Our EPS beads are treated with an insect resistant product.  Our product combined with good construction practices will greatly reduce the possibility of insect infestation.

15. What skills are required to build with MagWall?

Answer:  An experienced building foreman can be easily trained to build with MagWall and in fact - can use less skilled labour in the crew.  When you build with MagWall you can avoid the common pitfalls of conventional framing such as walls that bend, bulge, twist and cups due to poor quality lumber or mistakes in framing.  MagWall is straight, plumb, and square.  The surface offers a continuous nail base for exterior finish and interior finishing's such as cabinetry without the need to find studs in the wall.

16. What style of buildings can be built with Magwall?

Answer:  MagWall is highly versatile and does not limit design possibilities.

17. How is MagWall Environmentally friendly?

Answer:

• Up to 60% lower utility bills - less consumption of fossil fuels / reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Reduced job site waste
• Better living environment - air tightness of walls combined with moisture, mould, and rot resistance allow you to control your indoor air quality better - avoiding the pitfalls of allergies, respiratory problems, etc.
• The EPS core used in MagWall utilizes a low environmental impact process of steam expansion that uses pentane and does not contain CFC's (Chloroflourocarbons) or HFC's (Hydrochloroflourocarbons) or formaldehyde.  EPS is an inert material so there are no issues with dust or off gassing.