What Is A Structural Insulated Panel (SIP)?

What’s a SIP?  Structural Insulated Panels, known as SIPs, are not a new idea. The whole concept began in 1937 when the United States Forestry Service began a quest to conserve our forests. The building industry started looking at foam core paneling in the 1970s with renewed interest, and it has since developed into an energy and cost-efficient method that becomes a more mainstream option with each passing year.

• What’s a SIP?

SIP building systems are used for light commercial and residential building construction. The panels are assembled with an insulating foam core surrounded by structural boards. The foam core can be rigid polyurethane foam, expanded, or extruded polystyrene. The facings can be oriented strand board, aluminum, steel, cement board, plywood, or pressure-treated plywood.

The various types of materials used in producing these panels are inherent in the final application of the system. For example, pressure-treated plywood is used for below-ground foundations. Metal SIPs are commonly used for cold storage or environmentally controlled storage buildings.

The manufacturers of these products can produce custom fabrications for any building specification, including timber frame homes. This flexibility allows for efficient construction with minimal labor costs and maximum energy efficiency. This extends from the material production to the completed building.

• Building Green with SIPs

With proper construction, a structure built with SIPs is extremely well-insulated and airtight. Airtight buildings use less energy for climate control, so a SIP building is a cost-effective method to reduce the ecological footprint.

Environmentally responsible builders use SIP panel construction to reduce not only the energy costs to maintain the building but also the infiltration of contaminants and toxins. The airtight construction and proper ventilation systems can minimize pollutants like molds, pollen, and radon. The indoor environment for healthcare facilities, schools, and homes is an important issue effectively addressed with SIP construction techniques.

• Structural Insulated Panel Energy Performance

SIP buildings can help reduce annual climate control costs significantly. SIPs generally have a much greater whole-wall R-value than comparable stud walls.
However, this does require that the construction follow industry standards. Any voids must be filled to ensure proper insulation. The correct adhesives and sealants must be applied to prevent air and moisture intrusion into the building.

• Building Costs and Structural Insulated Panels

When considering all the factors, building costs for wood frame construction and construction using SIPs are very similar.

Since SIP construction takes less on-site construction time, there is a saving in labor costs. With properly sized members ready and waiting to be fitted into place, the job is done in specific stages. There is little waste of either time or materials since the panels are constructed specifically for each building. On-site modifications to the individual panels are minimal.

Extended savings are accomplished with smaller heating and cooling systems because of the improved insulation and airtight nature of the SIPs building.

Structural insulated panel technology has been developed to make it an economically sound alternative for the average construction company and homeowner. SIP building systems are important as we look for ways to control ever-growing energy costs and attempt to become more ecologically responsible.

If you are wondering how to run electrical wires through an SIP panel, check out our article – Running Wires in SIPs – Concerns for the Homeowner.