IN DEPTH: Insulation and Housewrap

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

SIPs are growing in awareness due to the variety of functions they can provide in one component. They consist of a foam-core center sandwiched between two layers of OSB panels, creating a thermal sandwich panel. The result is a highly efficient building envelope. “SIPs are a little bit different mousetrap that works better, but it takes a long while to convince dealers of that,” says Joe Pasma, technical manager for Premier Building Systems.

The panels can produce high energy efficiency that can provide long-term savings for homeowners. And because they combine structural panels with insulation, they can sharply reduce the time it takes to frame a house and minimize the number of activities needed to be completed on-site.

“It creates a turnkey solution for builders that may be viewed by some as a little ahead of its time,” says Bob Murphy, manager of product development at Universal Forest Products, the distributor for Atlas’ ThermalStar products. “In reality, it is a better way to build an exterior envelope, covering exterior walls with an all-in-one, easy-to-install product that provides a water-resistant barrier, air barrier, breathable layer of rigid closed-cell EPS insulation and a nailable structural component with no structural defects.”

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Figuring the panels’ cost can be challenging, says Pasma, because the initial cost is misleading. “There are so many variables both in what the SIPs will cost [based on size and insulating value] and the savings that accrue in other areas by using them. SIPs affect all portions of construction and create savings and benefits in many areas for many trades.” They can lead to the ability to downsize HVAC systems, he suggests, sometimes by as much as 50%. “That drastic decrease can create opportunities for changing the system to a mini-split or other more
efficient design.”

Premier’s panels are custom-made with all openings and penetrations cut before delivery, ensuring they can be erected quickly. Deliveries typically take three to four weeks once shop drawings are approved by the builder. Dealers order them as they do trusses, he notes.

Structural Insulated PanelsStructural Insulated Panels (SIPs) from Premier are made from Insulfoam EPS foam cores sandwiched between OSB panel faces. The combination of materials creates a structural system that provides insulation and reduces labor costs while saving time on the site, with up to two-thirds less job-site waste than buildings framed with dimensional lumber.

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