Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs are a Modern Method of Construction, MMC, designed to meet the needs of modern day architects, builders and developers. The major benefits of SIPs are;

Excellent thermal performance

Rigid Polyurethane foam is almost twice as efficient as mineral wool quilt, meaning a SIP wall produces much lower U-values and will result in a thinner wall section than traditional cavity fill masonry and timber frame construction.
U-values as low of 0.17 are achieved with a panel thickness of just 150mm.
(possibly use thermal image photo)

Airtight structural envelope

The SipBuild Structural Insulated Panel system uses a unique, ‘panel in panel’ jointing mechanism, which results in no loss of insulation throughout the wall. The joints are then sealed with SipBuild adhesive and sealant, meaning air leakage through the building fabric is almost eliminated. This restriction of air movement also maintains the integrity of the panel, meaning no insulation degradation will occur over time.
(airtightness image)

Fast Build Times

SipBuild Panels are up to1.2m wide and are cut to storey height, with a maximum length of 6m, meaning that several square metres of wall are erected in one operation. The SIP wall is load-bearing and pre insulated, meaning the weatherproof, structural shell is completed much quicker than traditional methods of construction, and without the reliance on several different tradesmen.
Once the outer shell is completed, internal first-fit, and external finishing works can run concurrently, thus leading to a drastic reduction in build programme.

Lightweight

Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs are a lightweight method of construction, weighing just 25 Kg per square metre (approx). This makes the system easy to work with, and reduces the requirement for heavy plant and lifting machinery.
The lightweight nature of the panels can also lead to a reduction in foundation loadings, giving the structural engineer flexibility of design, and often meaning a reduction in groundwork costs. This also makes the SIP system ideal for adding to existing structures, such as the conversion of bungalows into two storey homes.

Off-site manufacture

The Structural Insulated Panel kit is fully designed and fabricated in a controlled factory environment, ensuring accurate dimensioning and tight tolerances. The end product that arrives on site is accurate and defect free. This method also gives the project manager a more predictable build programme, as deliveries can be scheduled in advance and erection times are known.

Minimal defects

Prior to manufacture, SipBuild produce a fully detailed three dimensional model of the structural insulated panel kit, including all beams, posts and floors. This allows the customer to check, and sign off the complete structure before a single panel is fabricated, ensuring that any errors are removed and minor problems can be foreseen and avoided.

Minimal waste

Because the panel kit is fabricated offsite, it is delivered ‘Ready to Assemble’, meaning on site cutting and fabrication is virtually eliminated. This reduces onsite waste and space requirements.

Environmentally Responsible

Air pollution, global warming and natural resource depletion are the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today, and we must all take responsibility for finding ways to reduce our contribution to such problems. Building with Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs is one such way, since OSB is made using timber sourced from the routine thinning of managed forests, ensuring that natural resources are not depleted.

The closed cell Polyurethane foam is CFC/HCFC free and has zero Ozone depletion potential. This is further complimented because SIPs create a very airtight building envelope, meaning that air leakage and heat loss is minimised, thus reducing overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This not only benefits the environment but means your energy costs are reduced.
Minimising the site wastage, as already explained reduces landfill contribution.

As an evolution of timber frame construction and steel faced composites, the SIP system provides these excellent benefits, but equally it eliminates common problems associated with these methods of construction, for example, SIP structures do not suffer the same shrinkage and differential movement problems as timber frames, nor will the insulation degrade or slip over time as can often happen with stud walls insulated separately with mineral wool.

Structural Insulated panels allow developers to take advantage of fast build times, meaning sales complete sooner and capital is released, whilst self builders are given a method of construction which they can easily plan and work with themselves, reducing labour bills and ensuring that future running costs will be drastically reduced thanks to the efficiency of the SIPs.
Eco-conscious builders are given a product which provides high performance insulation, without the excessive wall thickness usually associated with near passive U values.
SIPs also compliment other technologies such as heat recovery ventilation systems, which minimise heat loss whilst providing natural fresh air into the building. A SIP roof is also ideal for mounting solar panels and photovoltaic tiles due to the continuous structural surface the panels provide.

If you are a builder or developer and would like to speak to one of the team in person click here.