Today, builders are not only looking for stronger ways to construct residential homes, but also more "green" ways to build them. The
use of Structural Insulated Panels, or SIP, is made up of
engineered wood building material which is not only labor saving
for the contractor, but also provides a better insulated and more
durable building structure. The home owner benefits with a more
comfortable, energy efficient Home.
The SIP construction is made up of
three elements which provide a very strong construction. The ridged
foam core is much more energy efficient than most other types of insulation due to the fact that there is no air penetration. And
because these panels offer a solid, flat surface, most any type of
interior or exterior finish materials can be attached to it with ease.
The panels are made in the factory so this will also cut down
on the building time. The pre-manufactured panels are put together on
the job site with the use of a crane, similar to the way roof trusses
are put in place, and guided by the carpenters. SIPs are compatible with any floor or
foundation system. Once the floor is finished, the walls are ready to
be tipped into place. The thing
carpenters like about panels is that there are really no special tools
to buy or new skills to learn. Framing is just done with larger pre-cut
pieces.
After the walls are put in place, a top plate is installed to
help tie all the walls together and this is followed by beams that
provide a support for the roof trusses to be set on. Because these
panels use a ridged, energy efficient insulation core, even when
building cathedral ceilings, the heat loss is cut down.
You are
probably wondering how the plumbing and electrical wiring is installed
since these panels are solid when installed. For the electrician, the
job is pretty simple because the preformed wire raceways are installed
into the panels at the factory. So within the panels is a network of
conduit to run the wires to switches and outlets set at predetermined
heights and in accordance with local building codes.
The
plumbing water lines, rather than being installed in the walls, run
up through the floors and into the base cabinets. However, the plumbing
vents locations are pre-determined and the contractor and manufacturer
follow the plans for their proper locations to go up through the SIP
walls and must also be in accordance with local building codes.
As
far as the interior wall covering, standard drywall installation or
plaster, is used just as in standard stick construction. The exterior
walls can be covered with vinyl or aluminum siding, stucco, stone or
any other suitable wall covering material.
By Rick Maselli Founder and Editor of Showroom411.com
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