Big Twig Homes is proud to offer structural insulated panel SIP homes. These homes have a great deal to offer: great energy efficiency, structural integrity, and great design potential. They could be just the right choice for you! Many people enjoy SIP homes because they require up to 50-60% less energy for climate control and are stylish and beautiful. Would you like to learn more about structural insulated panel SIP homes? Here are the details that may help you decide if they offer the right type of home for you.
Here are some top reasons for choosing a Sip Panel Home or Sip Panel Building.
There are many reasons to choose a SIP Panel Home over a traditional stick-built home. SIP Panel Homes are prefabricated homes that use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) as the main building material. SIPs are made of a rigid foam core sandwiched between two layers of structural board, usually oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. SIP Panel Homes offer many benefits, such as:
- Energy efficiency: SIP Panel Homes have a high thermal resistance and a low air infiltration rate, which means they can reduce buildings’ heating and cooling costs by up to 60%. They also work well with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, which can further improve indoor air quality and comfort.
- Structural superiority: SIP panel homes have a high strength-to-weight ratio and can withstand high wind and seismic loads. They also provide better fire resistance than stick framing, as they do not have cavities that can allow fire to spread.
- Ease of construction: SIP Panel Homes are prefabricated in factory-controlled conditions, which means they can be delivered to the site ready to install. This reduces the construction time, labor costs, and waste generation. SIP Panel Homes and Multi-Family Apartment Buildings also allow for more design flexibility and customization, as they can be cut and shaped to fit any architectural style.
- Eco-friendliness: SIP Panel Homes and Buildings are made of renewable materials, such as wood and expanded polystyrene (EPS), with a low environmental impact. SIP Panels also reduce the carbon footprint of buildings by saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SIP Panel Homes SIP Panel Apartment Buildings can also contribute to achieving higher ratings in green building certification programs, such as HERS and LEED.
What’s in a SIP?
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are the energy efficient alternative to stick-built homes. We believe without hesitation that your SIP home will be one of the most comfortable, quiet and clean structures you will ever own. Unlike a stick-frame home, in which thermal performance is an afterthought, insulation is an integral part of a structural insulated panel SIP home. Air and moisture penetrations are greatly reduced because there are so few thermal breaks.
- Structural insulated panel SIP buildings are 50-60% more energy efficient than standard frame construction
- 2-1/2 times stronger than standard building materials
- Cuts framing time by 2/3rds
- Stronger and straighter
- Better building systems
Two Options
Big Twig Homes actually offers two different options to take advantage of structural insulated panels. If you would like a brand new home built, then we will be glad to help you make that happen. We will work with you to design a home that is perfect for you and then we will build that energy efficient house with SIP panels. Alternatively, if you already have an existing home, we can install structural insulated panels right into your existing house, replacing the roof or walls of the structure. Installing these panels is straightforward, and you will begin to enjoy a difference right away!
Insulation & Savings
Two important components in building a home are design and energy efficiency. We all want to find ways to make our living costs lower. This is why SIPs were engineered. SIP stands for structural insulated panel, and these panels truly are cutting edge when it comes to home building for energy efficiency. Just how are they so energy efficient?
The Panels
What is a structural insulated panel SIP? These panels use rigid foam insulation that is sandwiched between two wood sheets — typically OSB or plywood—to form the outer structural skin. The outer plywood skin is laminated onto both faces of the foam core. These energy efficient SIPs create a continuous insulating core to provide from 50% to 60% energy savings.
Structural insulated panels can be used in several different ways throughout the homes. They can serve as insulation and paneling for the floors of the home, the walls of the home and even the structure of the roof. The more that the panels are used throughout a home, the more energy efficient it will be.
Choosing a structural insulated panel SIP home can be a great way to enjoy a newly designed and built house that is energy efficient. Even if you already have a home, we can retrofit so you can enjoy the benefits of SIP panels. To learn more about structural insulated SIP homes, call Big Twig Homes today. We'll be glad to discuss your home needs—whether you want a brand new structural insulated paneled SIP home built or you want to make your current home more energy efficient. Call us today and we will be glad to help you get started!
vs. Stick Built
Traditional stick-built homes can include several different measures to provide insulation. For example, insulation can be laid in between the two-by-six studs that make up the structure of the home. This may offer some insulation, but it has many thermal breaks and air leaks. Every place there is a stud, a thermal bridge is created. These thermal bridges will transfer heat or cold into the home, decreasing energy efficiency.
Structural insulated panel SIP homes are different. The home's exterior walls are constructed of structural insulated panels to provide 100% thermal insulation coverage. This uninterrupted layer of insulation guarantees that there are no energy leaks through the walls of the home, and thus very minimal energy loss through thermal bridging. SIPs can also be used the roof and flooring system for greater insulation.
To start with, rigid foam insulation is used for the core of each panel. It is laminated to two facings that are used for the structural integrity of the home. These panels are used for the exterior home walls, roof, and sometimes floor systems. You do not see the SIPs, but they are doing a great deal of work for you.
”I was introduced to Big Twig Homes by Katahdin Cedar Log Homes as my local representative. I have been working with Aaron to design and build the log home of my dreams. He has been most helpful in answering all my questions, giving me suggestions, and showing me the ins and outs of log homes. He is very knowledgeable in all aspects of the project and very easy to work with. I am looking forward to completing this project with Aaron as my contractor and adviser."
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