Structural Insulated Panels: Spinning a
New Web in Home Construction
That's why selecting strong, durable materials is so important
when building a new home.
In addition, it has become increasingly important to practice
conservation of natural resources, and weigh the energy
efficiency of a home during each stage of construction.
Manufacturers have developed new ways of utilizing raw materials
to create sound and efficient building products.
One such product, the structural insulated panel, is gaining
popularity because of its versatility and relatively easy
handling. Structural insulated panels are high-quality,
engineered units that combine several important stages of
construction, including framing and insulation, into one
sturdy building component.
Structural insulated panels, also called sandwich panels
or foam-core panels, consist of a thick plastic foam layer
infused between and bonded to faces of wood structural panels,
which may consist of plywood or some other manufactured
wood product. There are several types of foam that can be
used, each of which has structural integrity, maintains
its shape indefinitely and has a closed-cell structure to
prevent excessive moisture absorption.
SIPs offer a number of advantages for new home construction.
The panels have increased stiffness and strength capabilities,
and the structural features make long spans in roof applications
possible, lending flexibility to building design and construction.
They are more resistant to punch through, increasing the
safety of the home, and they provide a consistent nail base
for siding and other applications. And given the fact that
the panels can arrive at the building site already pre-sized,
assembly can be relatively fast and easy.
A discussion of the advantages of SIPs would not be complete
without mention of their insulating properties. The R-value
ranges from 4 to 7 per inch of foam thickness, which translates
into an R-value of 14 to 25 for a typical wall. That's as
much as 60 percent more than the R-value of a standard studwall
with fiberglass insulation. The solid construction of the
SIPs also means less air infiltration, resulting in a "tighter"
home with increased exterior noise reduction.
In a recent study conducted by the Florida Solar Energy
Center, two identically designed houses were built side
by side, one with conventional framing and the other with
structural insulated panels. Appropriate adjustments were
made during construction to maintain relatively the same
R-value and wall thickness. The houses were then monitored
for heat loss. The house built with SIPs measured energy
savings of 12 to 17 percent more than the frame house during
the test period. Over the course of a year, estimates calculated
the savings at 14 to 20 percent for the SIP house.
Structural insulated panels may seem to be the only smart
choice for home construction. But they do carry a slightly
higher price tag, and convincing new home buyers of the
relatively quick return on their initial investment is definitely
a challenge. Their immediate concern is most often the bottom
line, a fact not lost on builders. According to Eric Peterson
of Aulik & Luloff, Inc., a builder out of Saint Louis
Park, Minn., the initial costs of SIPs will most likely
move more in line with traditional framing methods in the
coming years as raw lumber prices increase.
Structural insulated panels are still a relatively new
concept in new home construction. It may take some time
for builders and contractors to realize the benefits of
this energy-efficient, easy-to-use building material. But
as consumer awareness grows and we become more conscious
of long-term savings, SIPs may evolve into an integral part
of the building industry.
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