What are SIPs panels, Construction System?

SIPs panels are a construction system that is based on structural insulated panels (SIP Structural Insulated Panel). They are high performance panels used in the construction of floors, walls and ceilings in residential and commercial buildings. The panels are made by sandwiching an expanded polystyrene insulation core between two structural facings, such as oriented strand board (OSB). Other coating materials can be used for specific purposes. The panels are manufactured under controlled conditions and can be custom designed for each home. The result is a building system that is extremely resistant, economical, efficient and sustainable. This constructive system will save time, money and manpower.

How long does it take to build a SIP panel house?

With this construction system you will have your home/construction finished in much shorter times than those used in traditional construction. The jobs do not usually have an average duration of more than 3-4 months. Our team of technicians are adequately trained and can reduce time considerably. This construction system is ready to be installed when it arrives at the job site, which eliminates the time required to carry out operations on site.

What is the best land to install a SIP panel house?

Although the weight of a wooden house is relatively low, the floor must have a minimum bearing capacity, that is, it can be installed on practically any terrain. Some recommendations can be given:

• If the ground is very humid, it is convenient to have a ditch that is twice the normal width where the foundation wall is housed.
• A plastic film (polyethylene) is installed on the ground that is covered with a layer of gravel on which the wall will be raised, which will also be wrapped on its sides by gravel with a draining function.

Is the air chamber essential?

It is the most convenient solution because it is the best way to eliminate humidity and thermal bridges from the floor, we can have these solutions:

• Putting a generous insulating blanket (for example 15 cm) closed with particle board on the underside of the slab, are the most common. This space may eventually be searchable for repairs.
• In warm regions, a hearth is recommended to make it cooler in summer.

What is the duration of a SIP panel house?

Wood constructions typically last much longer than other types of home construction. To this day, wood is guaranteed between 80 and 100 years of life, in this type of construction.

The load-bearing wooden elements are adequately protected with adequate enclosures and coatings, so that their durability and resistance are as guaranteed as those of a traditional home.

How is the indoor air quality in this housing system?

The tightness of a construction made with the system prevents air from outside from entering the interior of the house, introducing dust, humidity and insects.

Is a SIP Panel house flexible and evolutionary?

It is easy to move uprights or vary the order of the different pieces to adapt to other modulations. If you take the precaution of adding an additional laminated wood beam, you can facilitate the transparency of the plan when moving partitions. Any expansion is much easier than a traditional home.

Energy savings and heating savings with SIP panels?

Houses built with SIP Panels repeatedly demonstrate annual energy savings of between 50 to 60% when combined with other high performance systems. Solid, continuous insulation increases energy efficiency. SIP Panel walls do not yield, are modified, or develop voids. They maintain performance integrity throughout their lives. The foam core does not absorb moisture, it maintains its original insulating qualities for life.

Ambient humidity is much less important here and a wooden house is much healthier and easier to heat. In general, electric heating is used because it is faster and cheaper due to good insulation. Within construction, insulation represents a very small part of the budget, so in case of doubt, the maximum thickness can be used. The recommended thickness is 10mm but 5cm more fiberglass or rock wool can easily be placed. Additionally, a traditional wood-burning fireplace can be requested from the builder in addition to electric heating.

Fireproofing the ducts can be easily placed anywhere. In winter, a fireplace allows great economic savings.

Is there a fire hazard in a house made of SIP Panels?

Wood is a poor conductor of heat: consequently, in a fire, it retards the spread of fire. Any other structure in a fire collapses much sooner than a wooden structure. Hence, at present, in the most developed countries, the roofs of shopping centers, sports centers, auditoriums, public swimming pools, etc., are being built in wood, precisely because of its greater safety in case of fire.

Metallic materials are, on the other hand, excellent thermal conductors. Steel, for example, heats up and expands quickly, so it loses its functionality shortly after a fire starts with the consequences that are well known to all.

On the other hand, a wooden structure is never to blame for a fire: it is always in objects such as curtains, carpets, etc., where the fire starts and, in the worst case, in a fire, the wood proves once again its nobility by not producing toxic gases.

Should you be afraid of termites?

Although termites have a predilection for wood, especially wet and buried wood, they only move underground and in humid environments. Statistically it is observed that very few wooden houses have been attacked. Even so, they can be protected with a metal plate around the house that prevents them from passing, or by impregnating the floor with certain products. If the house is in a termite area, the wood will not be treated, but rather the soil on which it is installed. Today there are many very effective and harmless products for humans.

What maintenance does a wood cladding built with SIP panels need?

Treating a wooden house of about 120 m2 can cost 200 euros (only the product) and 8 hours of work by a painter. A first review is recommended at 3 years, subsequent reviews may be extended over time. But there are other coating alternatives that are practically maintenance-free, such as stone or fiber-cement, among others.

Is a special roof needed?

Nowadays, 80% of the houses of this type are built with conifers (spruce, Scots pine...) so it is necessary to focus more on the issue of drying. In general, it is recommended to be below 15% to avoid the contractions of the first summer and the first winter with heating.

Is it necessary to use any particular species of wood?

Nowadays, 80% of the houses of this type are built with conifers (spruce, Scots pine...) so it is necessary to focus more on the issue of drying. In general, it is recommended to be below 15% to avoid the contractions of the first summer and the first winter with heating.

How much can I save building with this SIP system?

There is a significant saving in construction costs due to the execution times of the work. The houses built have an energy efficiency close to 50% both in summer and winter.

How does this SIP construction system contribute to ecology?

It is one of the most efficient and sustainable construction systems. A home/building built with the construction system provides continuous insulation, is extremely hermetic, allows better control over indoor air quality, reduces construction waste and helps save natural resources. Life Cycle Analysis has shown that homes built with the system have a tremendous POSITIVE environmental impact by reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle of the homes.

How resistant is this SIP construction system?

The structural characteristics of the construction system is similar to that of a steel I-beam. The OSB boards act as the I-beam structure, while the expanded polystyrene core works as a mesh structure. This design provides the advantage of handling compressive loads distributed in the plane.

Is this construction system compatible with another building system?

It is compatible with almost any build system. Wall panels can sit on a variety of foundation materials, including concrete, block, brick, hollow brick, etc. If desired, the walls can be built with the construction system and a conventional frame roof such as earthenware, sheet metal, tiles, etc. Or vice versa, the walls of bricks, ceramics, concrete and the roof with the SIP construction system.

What should be taken into account when building with SIP panels versus the traditional one?

Most of the construction with SIP is very similar to conventional construction. SIPs accept dimensional lumber and are attached to each other using staples, nails or screws. Proper sealing is very important during the assembly of SIP panels. All joints should be sealed with specially designed SIP caulk or expanding foam sealant, and in some cases self-adhesive SIP tape. SIPs also require consideration of how panels will be represented and placed in the workplace. Although smaller than 250 by 125 cm. Panels can be manually configured. Panels require the use of a computer to download and configure.