Wood frame construction has always been the preferred building system for small construction projects in the United States because of its economy and availability of materials.

But under close inspection, wood frame construction requires additional structural bracing between studs and building up walls with rigid or batt insulation and may not be the most structural or economical system after all.

This is where SIPs come in. These Structural Insulated Panels consist of a core of rigid foam plastic insulation which is sandwiched between two structural skins.  The default skins are oriented strand board panels (OSB) but other materials can be used, depending on the particular use.  SIPs can be used in floors, walls and roofs typically in light commercial buildings.  These high performance panels are extremely strong, energy efficient and also cost effective.  Because SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions, the quality is always consistent and there are no surprises on the construction site.  Typically the rigid foam core is encapsulated by an exterior sheathing on one side and interior sheathing on the other, but the nice thing is that they can be custom designed for each home.

The ease of construction when using SIPs is obvious: the panels already contain both structure and insulation and only need to be installed.  By eliminating the need for erecting an entire wood frame, you save the cost of labor, and the quick installation of SIPs also saves you time.  You will benefit from long term savings as well,  as the high performance panels will require less energy from your heating and cooling systems.  You not only lower your utility bills but also reduce the environmental impact your house will have on our natural habitat.

Because of the energy savings, first home buyers may also qualify for a tax credit.  So if you area looking to build  a quality green home that saves energy, money and time, SIPs may just be the right choice for you.

Photo by PremierSIPs

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