SIPs Panels

Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) have a lifespan in excess of 60 years and can last up to 90 years under optimal damp-free conditions. These panels are resistant to extreme weather conditions such as category 4 and 5 hurricanes, provided the homeowner maintains them regularly.

Known for their durability, SIP panels outperform many other materials due to their resistance to wind and water. The key to their longevity is the quality of the insulation foam and the precision of the installation.

SIP: a reliable construction method - created by covering foam with two layers of orientated strand board (OSB), SIPs effectively eliminate inefficient thermal bridges caused by wood in walls, thereby increasing their overall lifespan.

Moreover, SIPs are often the best choice for building homes that can withstand hurricanes, ensuring that even in areas prone to such natural disasters, with regular maintenance the panels will stand strong for years to come.

SIPS Panels are typically joined using a specialized insulated spline that extends the entire length of the panel connection. This spline is not only insulated with EPS to prevent energy loss but also reinforced with an OSB layer for added strength. The design of these splines is crucial in maintaining an airtight seal, thus eliminating cold bridging where heat could potentially escape. This method of connection is highly efficient, particularly when compared to traditional timber frame houses, as it can greatly diminish the amount of energy lost from a household, potentially leading to reduced energy expenses.

There are no restrictions on types of finishing. It applies both to the decoration of exterior facades and interior works. While finishing facades, you can use absolutely any materials: from vinyl siding to decorative plaster and bricks. The roof may be covered either with metal shingles or with any roofing material, including soft or natural tiles and slates. There are also no restrictions inside, ranging from painted walls, wallpaper, or lining to ceramic tiles in the bathroom.

Nowadays, manufacturers offer the following types of structural insulated panels:

• On the base of OSB and Styrofoam;
• On the base of OSB and polyurethane;
• Combined of OSB and mineral wool;
• Combined of OSB and mineral wool, fiberboard, and expanded polystyrene;
• Of expanded polystyrene in combination with glass magnesite.

Each of these panel types has its advantages. The choice depends only on the features of the future construction and the preferences of the Customer. The type and thickness of the thermal insulation should be selected, according to the requirements for thermal insulation of the building. For example, expanded polystyrene is actively used in the construction of shopping centres, industrial buildings, and production sections.

Demand for SIPs has made a qualitative leap because of the development of the timber framework. Vendors started looking for multipurpose construction material. SIPs perfectly fit its criteria.

SIP is a multilayer panel that has got an interstitial layer of thermal insulation and external layers in the form of OSB sheets. The panels are made through agglutination of separate layers with polyurethane adhesive and further pressing under a pressure of 18 t. OSB has several layers of wood chips, the binding component is resin. The material is highly competitive with particle boards in the realm of durability, and it gradually puts them out of the market. The main advantages are firmness and elasticity. The light foam plastic is used as an insulation material. It's also known under the name "foam polystyrene". It has obtained high thermal insulation properties due to the "bubbles" of air that make up the structure of the material.

Houses, constructed with the help of SIPs, are often called "Canadian". They protect well from the cold and are resistant to the northern winds. The history of construction began more than 10 years ago, and technologies are always being improved. Anyway, lots of master-builders take them with a grain of salt. The main repellent is external material fragility. Confidence in brick is still higher, although it is far from being an ideal construction material.

Attitudes to SIPs are very different in Europe and America. There work hundreds of unconstrained organizations that help everyone to master the intricacies of the construction craft with the help of SIP panels.