What Makes SIPs So Strong
Protection for Your Family
Why does a person care about building a stronger structure? Safety and shelter are some of most basic human needs. Mother nature and the elements, can make building a structure difficult. High winds, heavy snow fall, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes are occurrences that happen in the US on a regular bases. Building with Structural Insulated panels can produces a home that is stronger and can offer better protection than standard building construction.
Load Distribution
Standard Construction
In Standard Construction, loads are distributed or carried along studs and joists, typically at 16" or 24" on center. Loads tend to be focused on narrow areas increasing loads at those locations.
SIPs Construction
In SIPs Construction, loads are distributed across the entire panel, allowing greater loads. For example, SIP walls can withstand loads 3-7 times higher than standard stick construction.
SIPs have the capability to carry loads 3 - 7 times more than Standard Construction.
Roof Span Capability
Standard Construction
The majority of convention roof systems uses trusses with OSB to make up the structure of the roof. In most cases, trusses need to be set every 24" on center and sometimes depending on the load every 16" on center. Extra bracing is used with truss to give it extra support.
SIPs Construction
SIPs have much greater roof spanning capability making them much stronger than standard construction. SIPs panels can span 8' - 18' depending on the loads. The other advantage is they be placed on a variety of structures including beams, LVLs, steel, timber frames, logs to name a few.
SIPs are stronger as they have greater span capabilities.
Air Leakage Control
- Condensation and structural rot
- Mold, mildew and other harmful allergens
- Outside pollution or effluviums
- Amplified sound intrusion
- Added utility expense
- Breathing problems or other health issues
Air Control Standard Wall Construction
Below is a standard wall construction with an infrared camera showing the air leakage at the floor and at the corner M1. By its very nature, standard stick construction leaks air and is not very energy efficient. Many contractors try to make it more energy efficient, but this type of construction is doomed from the start.
Air Infiltration Stick Construction
At 50 pascals of negative pressure, the standard stick built room leaked 126 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).
Air Control SIPs Wall Construction
SIPs have very few issues with air leakage because of the way they are put together. Each joint has a special sealant that help eliminate air leakage. The panel itself has very little to zero air leakage as it has 2 continuous sheet of OSB/Plywood. Blower door testing has shown SIPs to be the highest system available.
Air Infiltration SIPs Construction
At 50 pascals of negative pressure, the SIPs built room leaked 9 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).