What stress loads can the InnoVida panels take?

Our panels can withstand up to 50 tons of pressure per sqm vertically, and up to 2 tons of pressure per sqm horizontally. It allows us to build structures of up to 12m high (3 stories).

Is a foundation needed?

InnoVida homes do not require a foundation.

Is a roof structure needed?

InnoVida homes do not require a steel roof structure.

Are Columns needed?

No columns are needed for structures up to 12 m.

Are the panels non flammable?

Our Panels have passed the German test type “A”, (950 Degrees C. for 30 Minutes without burning).

polyurethane (PU), the insulation material of our panels, is a poorly inflammable material and needs great air volumes (approximately 150 times its own volume) for fire to destroy it completely. Therefore, when confined, it cannot burn. Additionally, the F quality of expanded polystyrene used by InnoVida-Habitat® is auto extinguishable according to the DIN norms, so that material avoids the tendency from the beginning of combustion.

• Component fraction of its combustion gases, relevant from the toxicological point of view is, as in the case of the wood, Carbon monoxide, but always in very limited amounts. According to DIN norms, emission of Carbon monoxide during combustion of different materials is as follows:


• Wood Fiber: 69.000 ppm at 600 ºC


• Wood: 15.000 ppm at 600 ºC


• Cork: 29.000 ppm at 600 ºC


• Expanded Polystyrene F: 1,000 ppm a 600 ºC

As shown above, production of carbon monoxide is between 15 and 69 times less than wood and its construction material derivatives.

What about sound or acoustic insulation?

The panel’s acoustic absorption index is 28 dB.

What about temperature insulation?

Its heat insulation parameter, λ= 0.040 W/mK, not only exceeds the value for

conventional homes, but it surpasses Germany’s low-energy standard. Our tests show a loss or a gain of 3°C of unaided in-room temperatures over a 6 hour period.

Is the house waterproof?

Yes, our panels are waterproof. When panels are fused together with the InnoVida bondingmaterial it forms a continues waterproof block, similar to the hull of a boat.

An InnoVidaResin Panel is resistant to the detrimental effects of algae, fungicides, water, and osmosis.

The structure and materials of Nations Houses are safe against damage from fire, water, hurricanes, and earthquakes!

How much wind can it withstand?

A house built with InnoVida panels can withstand winds of up to 300 KM/h.

How long does it take to build a house?

It depends on the size and the design of the house, for example:

A 35 sqm Home takes 1 day to build,

A 65 sqm Home takes 2 days to build. A

A 120 sqm. Home takes 7 Days to Build.

Can the walls be covered by other materials?

Yes, the material can be customized by painting it on the inside or outside.

How is the piping for water, electricity etc done?

Each wall is constructed by two panels with space between them where all piping for water, electricity, etc. is placed.

Can one nail things to the wall?

Yes, it is possible. It is better if screws are used.

Can the panel be repaired?

Yes the panels can be repaired. Small damages, hole from a screw or similar, can be repared with plaster. Larger damages must be repaired with the same material as the panel is constructed from to maintain structural integrity. We have kits with all materials required.

Can they be opened for expansion / construction purposes?

In general yes but as walls are structural bearing elements there are some requirements astohow this is done. Please contact us before making any major holes in existing structures.

Are there alternative solutions for water storage, sewage and electrical power?

Yes, there are systems for water treatment, air conditioning, and ventilation that are installed in the base of the houses.

How many square meters of panel are needed to build a house?

As a general rule there will be 6 sqm panels for every sqm of floor space.

Can you use InnoVida panels for other types of constructions such as offices, laborer homes, port cabin and warehouses?

Yes, our panels can be used in other types of construction.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EFFECT UV LIGHT HAS ON OUR PANELS

The first resin of our type was used in 1945. Since then it has been used as a standard building material giving us more than 60 years experience

As with many other materials UV light can be destructive. A simple and effective method to avoid this damage is by painting the surface. This completely removes the UV lights detrimental effects and is the recommended protection of our panels.

Sailplanes have been around for more than 50 years and are exposed to high levels of UV light, much higher than most other structures.

There are yachts built in the 50’s that do not show any UV damages. Not only do they need to handle direct UV light but also the indirect light bouncing on the water surface while being in a generally hostile salty environment.

The wind craft industry builds wind generators with the same material. They use standard paint for protection and give 30 years warranty as this is a requirement for the government programs often financing the installations.

A lot of mega yachts are build with the same material by owners who can choose between the best materials available. Their choice is Epoxy resin!

Apart from the need for UV protection the material only has positive points; permanently water resistant, no natural aging, anti bacterial, non corrosive, no distortion by insects of animals, extremely hard surface, no smell, no pollution, non flammable, light, easy to maintain, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions about the InnoVida Construction System

Does the houses need any foundation? How does the pressure of the “slab” reacts if the soil below is not of continuous stability? How does the slab react in different settlements?

We need no concrete foundation, but rather a grid planum to equate different foundation soil. The spatial construction of the house provides additional stability.
The houses are very light, so that no substantial vertical pressure needs to be absorbed. A 35 sqm house weights only about 1.6 tons.
The spatial construction consists of high elastic panels and both side glue lines gives a very good load sharing for all pieces of construction.
For the glue line joints we have extensive experience in the yachting industry.
The permanent exposure to the ground environment is unproblematic for our panels. The Innovida house foundation is permanently resistant against water, chemicals, mud, salt, insects, bugs, termites, frost, snow, steam pressure etc.

Can the Innovida system as a house withstand a 300kph (186 mph) storm?

As a fundamental part of the InnoVida house system special earth anchors are designed.
One of these normal anchors has a tensile strength of 4.70 tons (in grid). These parts are anchored in the bottom plate of the house. On a 35 sqm house 6 anchors are used. This gives enough holding force to withstand 300 kph (186 mph) wind. There are different anchors designed for different soils.

Is the house still flexible even when twisted?

At our internal earthquake test with the sample house we have seen no major bending of construction. The spatial construction provides this already. The structure was lifted more then 1m on one corner of the house with a fork lift and then brought into rocking movements. A bar alone can be bent on two columns (test on Friday 01.06.06). It could be bent more then 20cm without breaking (length 3m, width 10cm). In our vacuum test (plate 1.60m x 0.80m) we had a inflexion of only 20mm at a pressure of 2 tons. That equals a wind speed of 643 kph. The flexibility is a fundamental function of construction.
The joints are thin lines of special glue. Tests have proven, that prior to a break of the glue the panel itself breaks.

How is the house protected against lightning?

Naturally the same risk by lightning strike exists like in conventional constructions. If full protection is wanted, a lightning protection system must be installed.

What is the stability of the floors and ceilings?

In general the stability is higher than on regular building materials. Our load bearing panels have internal stiffeners (beams) which almost double the strength of a regular composite panel (this is a patented). If the free spanning distance in comparison to the load gets too big, we add external stiffeners (beams) to the structure.
The thrust tension will be absorbed by the bonding between the foam core and the upper and lower layers of resin and glass, and by the cutting force resistance of the foam.
Only when all materials together deliver the published fact of load capacity. The panel as a composite structural system takes the entire load.
Therefore it is of particular importance that the panels are made under high pressure, heat and vacuum. Only this production process, invented by InnoVida will assure the high loads throughout the entire panel without any weak parts!

Does the foam core shrink?

The used PU / EPS special InnoVida foam will be fine if stored for a few days. The result is a minor shrinkage and acceptable to our production process. Long term effects are not noticable and highly unlikely. Since all row materials are in the same material family (no steel, wood, aluminium etc. is used) the breathing (expansion and shrinking) of the material is similar. High quality composite materials are in use for more than 50 years and no negative effects have been discovered.

How is the installation of tubes and wires done?

An example for the installation of new cables: you drill holes in the top layer of the panel and connect with cable channels (tubes) between the holes through the foam. For bigger tubes special installation areas are implemented in the general design of our houses. The ceiling and the floors are the natural destinations for such installations. It is not recommended to cut long slits into the composite material.

What kind of fire resistance does the material provide?

During the burning tests with our panels (flame protection components into the resin) we have very little white non-poisonous smoke with a light “plastic smell”. If you take away the flame the resin stops burning.
On a normal resin product you get black poisonous smoke and the material continues to burn/ flame even after taking the source of fire away from the material.

What kind of windows and doors are used? How are they installed?

Windows and doors were assembled with clasp edges without bolts. Through this the panel edges are closed. The wind resistance etc. is the same as normal windows and doors. Additionally, protection shutters can be ordered. The weakest spot for break-ins are usually windows and doors. We use the same materials for windows and doors as conventional house builders. The optional electronic security solution is based on individual request.
The Horizon houses have special windows and doors made of ABS plastic which is unbreakable, UV stabilised and extremely durable. Moisture is no problem with this material. The windows have double Makralon glass which are unbreakable and have integrated blinds and mosquito nettings.

How can the material be recycled?

First of all we are building panels and houses which have a very long lifespan. The intention is to have a product which will withstand all kinds of weather and environmental conditions. An InnoVida house, for example, could be disassembled and erected in a new location if needed. There is no need to throw the panels in the garbage.
The panel pieces will be cut out with CNC saws or milling cutters. The parts get a special profile (made of similar material) on the edges, and the cut outs will be used in the houses as flaps. There are almost no leftovers in the regular production process of building a house. The sawdust, which is very little, can be put in the normal domestic waste.
If panels or houses built with our system need to be recycled this is easily possible – Simply shred or grind the material and use it as raw material again. There is already a large market for such products in the world.

What is the long term warranty?

The long term guarantee, based on experiences with epoxy based composite material in yacht, airplane and wind generator industries, is 30 years. CE confirmation exists for every used material and is guaranteed by our raw material suppliers. Houses built with the InnoVida bonding system do not age and can last for generations.

Are the panels UV protected?

If the Innovida panels with an epoxy based skin are not UV protected, they will gradually yellow after 2 to 3 years. After 3 to 4 years a minor brittleness and strength degradation begins. Since all of our houses are painted the material has 100% UV protection. No distortion or aging can take place.

What is the sound insulation of the panel?

The 64 mm InnoVida panel has a sound insulation of 28dB. This is a good value for a normal house. If double glassed windows are used the result is even better! The floors panels in our houses are equipped with a special reverberation reduction system. The internal walls have the same quality as the outside walls.