Thermal transfer only happens at the top/ base channels, FSEC have used thermal imaging cameras and found a very thin line on the imagery.
In northern climates it is more of a concern and in those cases thermally broken channels are used, and a 1/4" saw cut  on underside directly over the thermal top cap creates the thermal break.
But again not a concern in the south, the thermal break is only needed in colder climates

Can somebody post a link to drawing of the details you guys are talking about?  I think I get what the original poster is complaining about, but I'm not sure I'm picturing the solution properly.  A picture is worth a thousand words...

I would love a diagram as well. I see a problem of cutting into the roof panel?

attached is a detail for top cap we did for someone in Russia

What about at the window and door openings? If the rough openings are lined with steel isn't there a thermal transfer possibility there?

jelly;

if you run the steel straight thru, but in extreme cold climates the window / door recievers are either thermally broken or 2 piece with gap, same as done for base or top channels. exterior wall corners are mitered so there is no thermal transfer

cmkavala, are you talking about the window or door frame as provided by the window/door manufacturer, or about the framing put into the rough opening by the SIPs manufacturer?  I had been assuming that even steel SIPs use 2x lumber for framing rough openings, but perhaps I was wrong.

wood in steel SIPs, bite your tongue!

the attachment shows the channel used for steel sip walls, and 18 ga. "U" channel, no grooving necessary, it just simply wraps the opening and is effective for openings up to 6ft. wide, larger  - such as overhead door openings have another detail

The overhead door detail also serves as the top door buck, sides are done with 6" steel stud/track

The photo shows the window framing

I thought you were doing butt joints on the exterior corners?

Chris,

That saw cut on the underside of the roof panels would create a very easy thermal break.  But if storms are a concern, wouldn't that cut completely eliminate the SIP's strength against uplift on the overhangs?  How do you protect the overhang?

Very respectfully,
Larry

Jelly;

butt joints in the south mitered in the extreme cold north,

Larry;

 Not completely,   screws are on the outside wall perimeter and each screw has an 1-1/2" OD fender washer @ 8" oc ....... engineers say its OK. Can't imagine uplift that great.
Screws with washer will not pull thru steel skin, I can however drive a SIP screw thru an OSB panel as they do not use washers

Larry, which saw cut are you referring to - is it in one of the details or the photograph?

Jelly,

Oops --  I was referring back to the image linked in Chris' 07/16/2008 2:29 PM posting, which is the 5th one in this thread.  It shows a steel SIP roof panel with a lateral cut to create a simple thermal break.

http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/viewer.aspx?portalid=0&moduleid=369&attachid=528

Sorry for the confusion.

Very respectfully,
Larry

I tried to paste a picture of what our panels look like and how they prevent "Thermal transfer" but this system will not let me cut and paste to it.  

Take a look at our web site link  We do have details show our panel system.  These panels can be used for walls, floors & roofs.

Kwik-Build Panels