Structural Insulated Panel SIP Homes

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!

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?

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!
History of Sip panels and how they came to life.

Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, are a form of sandwich panel used in the construction industry. They consist of an insulating layer of rigid core sandwiched between two layers of structural board, such as oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. They can be used for various applications, such as exterior walls, roofs, floors and foundations.

The history of SIPs can be traced back to the 1930s, when the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin, began experimenting with what they called ‘stress-skin’ or ‘structural sandwich’ panels. These panels were made of a honeycombed paper core with different facing materials, such as plywood, Douglas-fir and aluminium. In 1947, architect Alden B. Dow developed a new panel design using a polystyrene foam insulation core manufactured by his family’s company, Dow Chemicals. This was the first true SIP, as it had better thermal performance and structural integrity than the previous sandwich panels.

SIPs gained popularity in the 1970s, after the oil crisis increased the demand for energy-efficient buildings. SIPs were also adopted by the Passivhaus standard in the 1990s, as they offered a simple and effective way to achieve high levels of insulation and air-tightness. Today, SIPs are widely used in residential and commercial construction, as they offer many advantages over traditional building methods, such as speed of installation, design flexibility, reduced waste and improved comfort.

Why are SIP Panels the way of future constructions for homes snf commercial buildings.
SIP panels are a building choice of the future because they offer many benefits over traditional construction methods, such as:

Energy efficiency: SIP panels have a high thermal resistance and a low air infiltration rate, which means they can reduce the heating and cooling costs of buildings by up to 60%. They also work well with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, which can further improve the indoor air quality and comfort.
Structural superiority: SIP panels 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 panels 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 panels also allow for more design flexibility and customization, as they can be cut and shaped to fit any architectural style.
Eco-friendliness: SIP panels are made of renewable materials, such as wood and expanded polystyrene (EPS), which have a low environmental impact. They also reduce the carbon footprint of buildings by saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SIP panels can also contribute to achieving higher ratings in green building certification programs, such as HERS and LEED

Is a SIP Home faster to build?
Building a SIP panel home can be much faster than building a stick built home, depending on various factors. Some of the factors that influence the speed of construction are:

The size and complexity of the design
The type and quality of the materials used
The availability and skill of the labor force
The weather and site conditions
The level of prefabrication and customization
One study conducted by the RS Means unit of Reed Construction Data shows that residential builders can reduce their framing labor needs by as much as 55 percent by using structural insulated panels (SIPs) instead of conventional stick-building methods. Another study by the BASF Corporation shows that SIPs can reduce the total construction time by 40 percent compared to stick framing. This is because SIPs are delivered to the site ready to install, and they combine structure, sheathing, and insulation in one step. SIPs also allow for more design flexibility and customization, as they can be cut and shaped to fit any architectural style.

Do SIP Panels homes cost more?
A SIP Panel Home may cost less over all to own than a stick built home, depending on various factors. Some of the factors that influence the cost of ownership are:

The initial cost of construction
The energy efficiency and savings
The maintenance and repair costs
The resale value and depreciation
The initial cost of construction for a SIP Panel Home or SIP Panel building may be higher than a stick built home, as SIP panels are more expensive than conventional framing materials. However, this cost may be offset by the reduced labor and waste, as SIP panels are prefabricated and easy to install.

The energy efficiency and savings for a SIP panel home are much higher than a stick built home, as SIP panels provide superior insulation and air-tightness, reducing the heating and cooling costs by up to 60%. SIP panels also work well with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, which can further improve the indoor air quality and comfort.

The maintenance and repair costs for a SIP panel home may be lower than a stick built home, as SIP panels are durable, strong, and resistant to wind, fire, and moisture. SIP panels also do not require roof trusses, which means they have more usable space in attics and make cathedral ceilings a breeze to build.

The resale value and depreciation for a SIP panel home may be higher than a stick built home, as SIP panels are eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing. SIP panels can also contribute to achieving higher ratings in green building certification programs, such as HERS and LEED12.

Therefore, based on these factors, a SIP panel home may cost less over all to own than a stick built home in the long run. However, the exact cost of ownership may vary depending on the specific design, location, and quality of the SIP panel home.

Are SIP Panel homes and buildings stronger than conventional stick built homes and buildings?

SIP panel homes are stronger than stick built homes in terms of structural integrity, durability, and resistance to natural disasters. SIP panels are made of a rigid insulating foam core sandwiched between two layers of structural board, such as oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. This design gives SIP panels a high strength-to-weight ratio and the ability to withstand high wind and seismic loads. SIP panels also provide better fire resistance than stick framing, as they do not have cavities that can allow fire to spread.

One study found that a standard SIP panel wall has over three times as much resistance shear stress as a traditional wall assembly. At a load level that would destroy a conventional wall, a SIP wall has the ability to withstand this force without deforming. Another study showed that SIPs can reduce the total construction time by 40 percent compared to stick framing, which also increases the structural quality and consistency. SIPs also allow for more design flexibility and customization, as they can be cut and shaped to fit any architectural style.

Therefore, based on these facts, SIP panel homes are stronger than stick built homes in many aspects. However, the strength of SIP panel homes also depends on the type and quality of the materials used, the experience and training of the builders, and the regular maintenance and inspection of the panels.

Contact Big Twig Homes today to discuss more about your upcoming sip panel home or sip panel apartment complex, or structural insulated commercial building needs. https://bigtwighomes.com/free-estimate/

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.