Project Overview

Stratton Flats – Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley

High-Performance SIP Construction for Affordable Housing

Stratton Flats is a multifamily affordable housing development delivered by Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley to address the critical need for stable, energy-efficient housing in Colorado’s mountain communities. Designed to serve income-qualified residents, the project reflects Habitat’s mission to provide safe, durable homes while keeping long-term ownership and operating costs low.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were used as a core construction strategy to support energy efficiency, construction speed, and long-term affordability—key priorities for nonprofit housing developers working within tight budgets and challenging climate conditions.

Design and Sustainability

Located in a cold, high-altitude environment, Stratton Flats was designed to perform efficiently year-round while providing consistent indoor comfort for residents. Energy performance and durability were central to the design approach, helping reduce utility costs and improve quality of life for occupants.

The project prioritizes a high-performance building envelope to limit heat loss, reduce air infiltration, and protect residents from temperature extremes—an essential consideration in mountain climates where heating demands are significant.

Why SIPs?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were selected to support Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley’s goals of affordability, performance, and build efficiency. For nonprofit housing projects, construction methods must deliver long-term value without increasing upfront costs or complexity.

SIPs offered a streamlined, panelized building system that integrates structure, insulation, and air sealing into a single assembly. This approach reduced construction time, simplified coordination, and improved envelope performance—making SIPs a strong fit for affordable housing where both speed and quality matter.

Benefits of SIPs

Using SIPs provided several important advantages for the Stratton Flats project:

• Energy Efficiency:
  Continuous insulation and airtight construction help reduce heating demand, lowering utility costs for residents and supporting long-term affordability.

• Construction Speed:
  Panelized SIP assemblies accelerated enclosure, helping the project stay on schedule and reduce overall construction time.

• Labor and Cost Control:
  SIP construction reduced framing complexity and minimized material waste, supporting budget-conscious nonprofit development.

• Durability and Comfort:
  The SIP envelope delivers consistent interior temperatures and long-term resilience, improving occupant comfort in a demanding climate.

Construction and Innovation

SIP construction enabled faster dry-in and improved jobsite efficiency, important advantages for multifamily construction in mountain regions with limited building seasons. The integrated nature of SIP assemblies helped ensure consistent performance across the building envelope while reducing onsite variability.

This approach supports repeatable, scalable solutions for affordable housing projects where predictability and quality are essential.

Performance & Sustainability Features

• High-performance SIP building envelope supporting improved airtightness, reduced thermal loss, and long-term energy efficiency

• Blower door testing:
  Average 2.9 ACH50 (maximum 3.0 ACH50)

• Heating, cooling, and ventilation:
  Mitsubishi heat pump forced-air systems serving each home
  Integrated ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) using shared ductwork to provide continuous fresh air
  System delivers both heating and cooling, supporting comfort during high-alpine desert summers

• High-performance windows:
  U-value 0.276

• Insulation strategy:

  • Unconditioned attic with R-60 blown-in fiberglass

  • Rim board insulated with R-21 polyurethane spray foam

  • Crawl space perimeter insulated with R-18 polyurethane spray foam

  • Demising walls insulated with R-13 batt insulation

• ENERGY STAR® appliances including refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washer, and dryer

• Energy-efficient lighting:
  All LED fixtures and bulbs throughout the homes

Challenges and Solutions

Affordable housing projects often face tight budgets, compressed schedules, and the need to balance upfront costs with long-term performance. SIPs addressed these challenges by delivering a high-performance envelope in fewer construction steps, helping Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley achieve energy-efficient, durable housing without compromising affordability.

Key Features

• Multifamily affordable housing development

• Delivered by Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley

• Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) wall and roof construction

• High-performance building envelope for cold-climate conditions

• Reduced energy demand and improved resident comfort

• Construction approach aligned with nonprofit affordability goals