Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) Home Builders in Delaware
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are just another great building material offered by our home builders in Delaware.
This high-performance home building material is made up of foam insulation that is filled between two sheets of plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB). The pre-cut panels connect to one another at the ends and bond through a chemical reaction. Once these panels have bonded together, they form an incredibly strong structure that can withstand enormous loads.
Why SIP?
There are many reasons to consider a SIPs-built home. SIPs panel homes are the perfect answer to the climate and weather challenges that come with living in Delaware and Maryland.
These homes and commercial buildings are incredibly sturdy in the face of even the nastiest weather, resistant to erosion, and environmentally friendly.
Sturdy!
SIP buildings can bear many times the weight of stick-built homes. When built properly, these new homes are resistant to earthquakes, storms, and other home-damaging events.
The strength and durability of this panel system is due to the way that the foam core inside each panel seals together throughout the building envelope.
The foam in the wall and roof panels begin a chemical reaction when they are placed together. After a short wait, the materials chemically bond together everywhere they meet.
That means you aren’t relying on a few nails when a storm hits—the whole of each wall panel supports the others around it. Furthermore, the chemical bond between the panels is unaffected by rust, moisture, or even extreme heat, and will not peel or separate.
Green!
SIP homes involve almost no job site waste because each part can be fully constructed off-site and then assembled. Your SIP construction will only require a fraction of the labor time of a stick-built home, with far less waste than usual.
However, that isn’t where the efficiency ends. Even the chemical foam used to bond the materials is safe—just ask the EPA, who awarded it the 2004 Stratospheric Protection Award.
Compare this to other bonding materials for green buildings that may contain formaldehyde or other hazardous materials. Furthermore, the panels for SIPs building systems are made using recycled wood.
Insulating!
SIPs are among the most effective insulating materials. They can be used to build homes with comfortable climates and refreshingly high indoor air quality.
Depending on the thickness of the panels you’re using, or the type of insulating material (such as polystyrene), SIPs can achieve a high R-value. This value can be in the 40s for most SIPs and near 70 for some of the thickest.
Thermal bridging is one of the ways heat is lost in most homes. This term describes the way heat is lost when it escapes through objects that pass through the insulating layer. SIPs reduce the chance that heat can escape by providing continuous insulation in the home sheathing.
A home design that uses SIPs may mean significant energy savings for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about SIP Homes
Q: How long do structural insulated panels last?
A: SIPs have an estimated lifespan in the range of 50-60 years. However, some of the earliest SIPs structures created when the material was first tested survived to be 90 or older. The material has only been widely used in residential home building for the past 30 years, so more data will be available when these homes reach the end of their lifespan.
Q: Are SIPs designed to be load bearing?
A: Yes, SIPs are surprisingly strong, and they are strong without the need for excessive studs across the structure. They are stronger by weight than most timber frame materials and many other forms of traditional construction. Talk to us about the strength limits of SIP walls planning a large, multi-story, or durable SIPs home that meets all of your specifications.
Q: Do SIPs home use less energy?
A: SIP homeowners have reported savings based on the excellent energy efficiency that these homes provide. Complete bonding between panel-and-panel means that air can’t enter or escape through the gaps in exterior walls
Q: Are SIPs cheaper to build with?
A: SIPs can achieve cost savings over the course of construction. The panels can be manufactured and cut to size and shape off-site. The construction work is limited to placing, bonding, and then finishing the panels. This can help you save on labor costs. We can review your plans during a private consultation and tell you if SIPs can provide on-site cost savings for you.
Q: Are SIPs fireproof?
A: SIPs are both self-extinguishing and fire-resistant, making them an excellent alternative to stick framing in areas where there is the potential for brush or forest fires. They are slightly outclassed in fire resistance by concrete materials like ICF, but still offer leading fire resistance.
Q: Are SIPs Water-Resistant?
A: SIPs are not waterproof, but in a well-designed home, they won’t be exposed to any water damage. They should be appropriately fitted with waterproof surfaces and ventilation in humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. These measures will ensure a full lifespan for the material. Talk to us about building water-resistant plans for a SIP house.
Interested in a SIP Home?
We’d love the chance to tell you more about this great material and what it offers you. Please call us if you have any questions about building a custom SIP home in Maryland and Delaware. We can tell you even more about the options and benefits that come with this fantastic material.
