

They are stronger by weight than most timber frame materials and many other forms of traditional construction. Q: Are SIPs designed to be load bearing?Ī: Yes, SIPs are surprisingly strong, and they are strong without the need for excessive studs across the structure. The material has only been widely used in residential home building for the past 30 years, so more data will be available when these homes reach the end of their lifespan. However, some of the earliest SIPs structures created when the material was first tested survived to be 90 or older. Frequently Asked Questions about SIP Homes Q: How long do structural insulated panels last?Ī: SIPs have an estimated lifespan in the range of 50-60 years. SIPs reduce the chance that heat can escape by providing continuous insulation in the home sheathing.Ī home design that uses SIPs may mean significant energy savings for you. This term describes the way heat is lost when it escapes through objects that pass through the insulating layer. Thermal bridging is one of the ways heat is lost in most homes. This value can be in the 40s for most SIPs and near 70 for some of the thickest. They can be used to build homes with comfortable climates and refreshingly high indoor air quality.ĭepending on the thickness of the panels you’re using, or the type of insulating material (such as polystyrene), SIPs can achieve a high R-value. SIPs are among the most effective insulating materials. Furthermore, the panels for SIPs building systems are made using recycled wood. Even the chemical foam used to bond the materials is safe-just ask the EPA, who awarded it the 2004 Stratospheric Protection Award.Ĭompare this to other bonding materials for green buildings that may contain formaldehyde or other hazardous materials. However, that isn’t where the efficiency ends. Your SIP construction will only require a fraction of the labor time of a stick-built home, with far less waste than usual. SIP homes involve almost no job site waste because each part can be fully constructed off-site and then assembled. Furthermore, the chemical bond between the panels is unaffected by rust, moisture, or even extreme heat, and will not peel or separate. That means you aren’t relying on a few nails when a storm hits-the whole of each wall panel supports the others around it. After a short wait, the materials chemically bond together everywhere they meet. The foam in the wall and roof panels begin a chemical reaction when they are placed together. The strength and durability of this panel system is due to the way that the foam core inside each panel seals together throughout the building envelope. When built properly, these new homes are resistant to earthquakes, storms, and other home-damaging events. SIP buildings can bear many times the weight of stick-built homes. These homes and commercial buildings are incredibly sturdy in the face of even the nastiest weather, resistant to erosion, and environmentally friendly. SIPs panel homes are the perfect answer to the climate and weather challenges that come with living in Delaware and Maryland. There are many reasons to consider a SIPs-built home. Once these panels have bonded together, they form an incredibly strong structure that can withstand enormous loads. The pre-cut panels connect to one another at the ends and bond through a chemical reaction. This high-performance home building material is made up of foam insulation that is filled between two sheets of plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB). Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are just another great building material offered by our home builders in Delaware. Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) Home Builders in Delaware
