Buy Structural Insulated Panels
Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs are prefabricated building panels used to frame and insulate the walls, roof and floors of a structure. When using SIPs the framing and insulation are integrated all in one package. The result is a strong, highly insulating and airtight panelized form of construction. When considering Structural Insulated Panels for your building project, learn why RAY-CORE SIPs are the insulated panel of choice!
buy structural insulated panels
SIP is a sandwich structured composite, consisting of an insulating layer of rigid core sandwiched between two layers of structural board, used as a building material. The board can be sheet metal, plywood, cement, magnesium oxide board (MgO) or oriented strand board (OSB), and the core can either be expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), polyisocyanurate foam, polyurethane foam, or be composite honeycomb (HSC).
SIPs share the same structural properties as an I-beam or I-column. The rigid insulation core of the SIP acts as a web, while the sheathing fulfills the function of the flanges. SIPs combine several components of conventional building, such as studs and joists, insulation, vapor barrier and air barrier. They can be used for many different applications, such as exterior wall, roof, floor and foundation systems.
Thus in 1947, structural insulated panel development began when corrugated paperboard cores were tested with various skin materials of plywood, tempered hardboard and treated paperboard. The building was dismantled in 1978, and most of the panels retained their original strength with the exception of paperboard, which is unsuited to outdoor exposure. Panels consisting of polystyrene core and paper overlaid with plywood skins were used in a building in 1967, and as of 2005[update] the panels performed well.
SIPs are most commonly made of OSB panels sandwiched around a foam core made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or rigid polyurethane foam. Other materials can be used in replacement of OSB, such as plywood, pressure-treated plywood for below-grade foundation walls, steel,[1] aluminum, cement board such as Hardiebacker, and even exotic materials like stainless steel, fiber-reinforced plastic, and magnesium oxide. Some SIPs use fiber-cement or plywood sheets for the panels, and agricultural fiber, such as wheat straw, for the core.
The third component in SIPs is the spline or connector piece between SIPs. Dimensional lumber is commonly used but creates thermal bridging and lowers insulation values. To maintain higher insulation values through the spline, manufacturers use Insulated Lumber, Composite Splines, Mechanical Locks, Overlapping OSB Panels, or other creative methods. Depending on the method selected, other advantages such as full nailing surfaces or increased structural strength may become available.
An OSB skinned system structurally outperforms conventional stick framed construction in some cases; primarily in axial load strength. SIPs maintain similar versatility to stick framed houses when incorporating custom designs. Also, since SIPs work as framing, insulation, and exterior sheathing, and can come precut from the factory for the specific job, the exterior building envelope can be built quite quickly. SIPs panels also tend to be lightweight and compact which aids this offsite construction. The environmental performance of SIPs, moreover, is very good due to their exceptional thermal insulation. They also offer a resistance to damp and cold problems like compression shrinkage and cold bridging that cannot be matched by timber and more traditional building materials.[2]
With the exception of structural metals, such as steel, all structural materials creep over time. In the case of SIPs, the creep potential of OSB faced SIPs with EPS or polyurethane foam cores has been studied and creep design recommendations exist.[3][4] The long-term effects of using unconventional facing and core materials require material specific testing to quantify creep design values.
When paired with a timber frame kit, SIPs wrap around the timber elements to enclose the structure. The timbers then carry most of the load from the roof, while the SIPs act as a strong, air-tight insulating shell. Reference the image below to see how SIPs and Timbers work together to create a stunning and structurally sound home.
First, SIP wall panels utilize a closed-cell foam core instead of spray foam, blanket, or loose-fill insulation. Closed-cell foam insulation is a far superior insulator to the alternatives. Blanket-style insulation typically has an R-Value of 2.9 to 3.8 for every inch of thickness. The foam used in SIPs has an R-Value of R-4 to R-6.5 per inch of thickness.
Next, SIPs provide a nearly air-tight structural shell which helps to minimize air transfer from outdoors in, and vice versa. This reduces the fluctuation in indoor air temperature and humidity, which allows your HVAC system to run effortlessly at a low monthly cost. Overall, the closed-cell insulation paired with air-tight construction results in buildings with remarkably low energy consumption.
SIP wall and roof panels are dramatically faster to erect than conventional stick-built construction. This can mean a lot to builders and homeowners because it is one of the most labor-intensive parts of building a home. Ultimately, SIP wall panels allow you to enclose your home, get it dried in, and get on with your interior finish work in a shorter period of time.
SIPs can help builders and homeowners significantly reduce their labor costs. If you have ever had to build with traditional materials, you know that there is an incredible amount of time spent cutting and arranging pieces to fit together to match the plans. This is not necessary with SIPs. In fact, it is possible to frame an entire home in just a matter of days because SIP panels are already cut, measured, and test fit at the factory.
Structural insulated wall and roof panels carry nearly double the vertical and horizontal load of a traditional 2x framed wall system. A panelized home can be constructed nearly everywhere where stick-framed construction is up to par while providing extra benefits for individuals building in locations with severe load requirements.
Extreme Panel Technologies, an industry leader in SIP manufacturing, employs a zinc borate treatment in its manufacturing process. Zinc borate helps protect the OSB sheathing of the wall and roof panels from biological elements such as fungal decay and thwarts the impact of insect damage. The treatment is also non-toxic and safe for humans, pets, and the environment.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what SIPs are, how they work, and the types of benefits that they provide the everyday homeowner or builder, we can dive deeper into the technicalities of the panels.
Structural insulated panels (SIPS) construction is one of the most popular modular construction methods of the 21st century. SIPs construction was invented in the 1950s but only gained popularity in recent years. It is now widely used as a quicker and more effective method than traditional construction methods such as block and brick. So, are SIPs the next big thing in construction, or is it a fad?
Structural insulated panels make up approximately 8% of self-builds because they have significant advantages over traditional blocks and bricks. SIPs speed up the initial stages of construction, increase the building process's efficiency, and get a building to completion in less time.
When considering whether or not to choose structural insulated panels for your next construction project, it is essential to factor in the advantages and disadvantages of this construction method in detail.
Since SIPs are rigid, they provide enough structural support, reducing the need for additional beams. However, it is essential to ensure that the quality of the oriented strand board facings is up to industry standards.
Structural insulated panels are the ideal construction method for the modern homeowner because they save time and offer greater efficiency than traditional construction methods such as bricks and blocks.
At Enercept we like to say structural insulated panels (SIPs) are "the future of framing". SIPs construction includes many of the same components as traditional construction, but offers the benefits of a stronger structure, increased energy efficiency, faster installation and overall, a more cost-effective project.
Since our panels are customized for each job, it's difficult to compose an actual price list. Details and design features such as wall height, covered porches, dormers, etc., can affect pricing considerably. No structure will be exactly like yours, so let us provide an estimate unique to you.
A simple rectangular cabin would be far less complicated than, for example, a home with complicated roof lines with various pitches. Other variables include the thickness of panel required, the site, which walls will be SIPs, snow load requirements and other building codes. Each of these variables factor in to the total cost of the panels.
Or, you can look at it from the amount of living space created within the SIPs building envelope: a basic design would run about $17 to 30 (2018 pricing) per square foot for the exterior shell, including wall and roof panels.
While it does take time to unload and stage the panels, the ease with which they fit together is a less laborious and time-consuming matter than stick-framing a structure. Overall studies show an approximate 50% decrease in onsite construction time.
Most often identified with commercial structures, steel structural insulated panels (SIPs) have found their way into residential projects as well. But there are many reasons why these panels are becoming increasingly popular for home construction.
Because steel SIPs are lighter than traditional OSB panels they require no crane for installation. They are also termite, mold and rot resistant. Because Florida is often hit by hurricanes, building codes there require installation of steel hurricane straps in wood-framed construction. Steel-skinned SIPs essentially turn the entire panel into a hurricane strap, because of the strength of the metal versus wood panels. Joe Dean of Structall Building, says some of their homes are being engineered to withstand 150 plus mph winds with some additional fasteners or bracing to improve racking or shear characteristics up to 180 mph wind zones. He claims, that as local building codes in some areas become increasingly focused on energy-efficiency and strength, contractors and homeowners are abandoning traditional construction methods and looking to steel SIPs. Although manufacturers say they are being used throughout the country, they appear to be most prevalent in coastal areas where hurricanes are a big threat. 041b061a72