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Is the SIP technology new ?
What is the comparison between a SIP and a ICF Home? r With ICF thicker walls reduce living space P With SIPS you get extra living space. r With ICF mounting heavy items may require drilling through concrete centre P With SIPs hanging and mounting is easy anywhere, even with heavy items. r With ICF you typically require ICF installers with follow up by concrete pourers, framers, carpenters etc. P With SIPs it is installed quickly by a single crew. What are the advantages of building with SIPs? P Instead of separate pieces of framing, insulation & sheathing, a SIP panel incorporates all of these components & comes ready to install. P The proven Superiority in strength over conventional framing make SIPs a stronger, safer alternative. P The insulation values for SIPs are far superior to conventional framing. A home owner can save up to 60% in energy costs. P A SIP shell can be erected much faster than a conventional shell. P SIPs are environmentally friendly. P SIPs are mould/mildew & bug resistant. Are Structural Insulated Panels vulnerable to insects and pests? No. The Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) / Hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) free rigid Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) core of the SIP panels resists attack by mould and microbial growth and does not provide food value to vermin. What style of houses can you use SIP panels on? Virtually all styles of houses can be built using SIPs. SIP structures are being built in all kinds of environments. Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii. Any environment, hot, cold or wet is ideal for SIPs. SIP construction is suitable for nearly every architectural style from Colonial to contemporary. The more elaborate design, the easier it is with SIPs. SIPs have been used to build: Single Family, Multi Family, Motel, Resorts, Strip Malls, Cabins, Mini Storage, Lodges, Elementary Schools, Universities, Church, Community Hall, Factory, Fast Food Bldg, Gas Stations, Offices, Labs, Hospitals etc. Can you adapt SIPs to an existing plan? Yes, Floor plans are probably the most flexible element is SIP design. SIPs used in the roof system can provide full volumetric usage of interior space, thus offering the opportunity to create exciting cathedral ceilings and use otherwise lost space for lofts and heated storage space. What type of foam insulation does EcoValue SIPs use? Expanded Polystyrene. EPS is an inert, stable cellular plastic with superior insulating qualities. Unlike many other foam products, EPS is "Ozone-Friendly" - no CFCs are used in the production of SIPS panels. Do the SIPs insulate better than stud walls filled with fiberglass batts? Forests have been cleared across the landscape to make lumber for housing developments, while builders and home owners have been fooled into thinking that spun fibreglass (which allows air & moisture to pass easily through) is a good insulator. Stud & fibreglass technology simply will not be able to keep up with the required changes needed to save energy. Will EPS give off toxic gases in my home? Expanded polystyrene is totally inert which means there is no off-gassing. Are SIPs a fire hazard? It was concluded that a tight SIP structure will quickly starve a fire for oxygen and that there is no air in the wall cavities to feed the flames. Most building codes require interior wall and ceiling surfaces covering foam insulations to provide a 15-minute rated fire barrier. EcoValue SIP panels meet this requirement with the installation of drywall on interior surfaces. Do SIP homes require a special foundation? NO. They can be built on block, poured, slab, pier or treated wood foundations. How are windows and doors installed in foam core panels? Our most efficient method is to have the panels pre-cut for window and door openings and gable, rake and other cuts. This significantly reduces site time and labor and gets the structure out of the weather more quickly. What kind of siding can be used? Any type of conventional siding can be used. The OSB laminated to the panel provides a sound nailing base for attaching siding. With the addition of a brick ledge to the foundation, brick and stone can also be used. What kind of roofing can be used? SIP homes require no special roofing materials. Fiberglass, asphalt, wood and metal are all suitable, but check the manufacturer's warranty before you buy fiberglass or asphalt shingles. Some shingle manufacturers have been hesitant about warranting their product when applied to un-vented roof systems, claiming that un-vented roofs could produce high shingle temperatures and thereby reducing shingle life. However, recent studies at the University of Illinois and the Florida Solar Energy Center concluded that roof ventilation has little or no effect on shingle or sheathing temperature (Energy Design Update, Nov. 1990). This has not produced an overnight change in all shingle makers' warranties, but shop around. There are several shingle manufacturers that offer full warranties on both vented and un-vented roofs. How does one install electrical wire in foam core panels? Wiring a SIP wall is not difficult but does require planning. Much of the wiring will be run in the conventionally framed interior walls, but there will certainly be some wiring in the panelized exterior walls. Our wall panels are manufactured with a wire chase as specified height above the sub floor. Wire chases can also be located at counter height for kitchen outlets. What about plumbing? Plumbing is not normally run through foam core panels. The panels are used for exterior walls, and being consistent with good building practice, plumbing should be kept out of exterior walls to avoid freezing. What kind of heating system can I use? SIP homes require no special heating system. Forced air, electric, solar, radiant and wood burning systems are all suitable, though some are more appropriate than others for a specific home design. Keep in mind that central air conditioning requires ductwork and is therefore most compatible with forced-air heating systems. Because of the home's tight construction, the fireplaces, wood burners, furnaces and any other combustion appliances should be supplied with an outside source of combustion air. No matter what type of system you choose, the home's inherent energy efficiency means you won't need as big a unit as you would with a typical conventionally framed building of equal size. Do I need to make special provisions for ventilation? Yes. A properly constructed SIP home has a very low air infiltration rate. That's great for reducing heating and cooling costs, but it isn't always healthy for the home or its occupants. We strongly recommend that a whole-house ventilating system be installed at the time of construction, and certainly before the first heating season. New homes are filled with new materials and many of those new materials - whether construction products, furnishings or finishes - will out gas various pollutants. Emissions will decrease with time - many products are stabilized within 6 months of manufacture - but extra ventilation may be needed in the meantime. The substance that is released in the greatest quantity is water, especially from masonry and the lumber. The materials in the average home contain thousands of gallons of water, which must eventually be removed from the house. The first heating season is typically when the greatest amount of moisture is driven from the house. The first heating season begins as soon as the house is closed to the winter during construction. One telltale sign of lack of adequate ventilation can show up in the form of heavy condensation on windows, or in the ridging of asphalt shingles or in telltale frost or ice at leakage points. Left unchecked, this moisture can produce mould or mildew and can eventually cause serious damage to your home and its contents. Ventilation is important even after the home and its contents have stabilized. Significant "indoor pollution" is produced by everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing and even breathing. It is wise to monitor indoor humidity levels for they are a general indicator of indoor air quality. Most building scientists today recommend that interior humidity levels be maintained at a range of 30% to 50% to minimize health and structural problems. |
The first SIP house was built in 1952 in Michigan, USA. |
Superior Quality Stronger, Straighter, Greener.
This Old House Bob Vila SIP home construction has been featured on several HGTV programs such as Bob Vila and Norm Abrams of " This Old House" . |
