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Building Green with Structural Insulated Panels

SIPs constructed building envelopes offer the best in interior comfort by offering the best in
interior climate sustainability.

With far fewer studs and better insulation coverage exterior noise is greatly reduced, such as
traffic and wind. Also air infiltration is nearly eliminated.

For interior finishers and homeowners, hanging cabinets, mirrors or pictures on these exterior
walls is simple. With SIPs you can nail or screw anywhere above the electrical outlets.

a) Doubling up on framing lumber to increase the walls thickness, thus doubling the
cost in materials and additional labor costs. (This practice would also have a
bigger enviromental impact.) AND/OR

b) Using spray foam which is effective but costly.

Building with SIPs is virtually the same cost as with stick frame. With SIPs you initially pay
more than if you went to buy framing lumber. That's because when you purchase your SIPs
you are also purchasing your sheetings and insulation materials and labor costs. With stick
framing you will pay those costs at a later date.

With increased building envelope efficiency, construction costs are reduced on the heating
and cooling equipment because equipment can be downsized.

With increasing energy code requirements within building departments, stick frame structures
will have greater difficulty meeting code. Eventually, traditional stick framing will have to meet
codes by:

This wall system greatly increases the buildings energy efficiency
because the insulation layer is more continuous with far fewer studs
interrupting the insulation layer.

Panels are assembled with multiple beads of sealant at all connection
points and in conjunction with continuous insulation layer it greatly
decreases air infiltration.

SIP systems decrease framing/insulation labor and speed up building
erection times.

Waste from SIP systems can be recycled.

Pre-fabricated packages provide builders with near zero waste.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) framing methods have been around for
many years and growing in popularity. It greatly reduces the amount of lumber
used and is considered a "green" method for building.

Stick frame construction results in less energy efficient structures
by studs interrupting insulation coverage and increased air infiltration.

Larger amounts of lumber resources are used in stick framing with
stud spacing's more frequent.

With increased lumber pieces you create more waste. There's a lot of
cutting and a need to hire general laborers to clean-up. As a result the
jobsite has increased waste disposal costs and landfill volumes.

Past and current building framing methods have relied heavily
on"stick framing". These trational framing methods will continue
for many years to come simply because that's the way it's always been done.

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Whether you live in a cold or hot climate, your home will be more energy efficient and comfortable if
constructed well and insulated properly. Continuous and more efficient insulations helps reduce the heating
and cooling expense of your home. Heat travels, in the winter the heat flows out and in the summer heat flows in.
A tightly built and well insulated home reduces heat flow. The results are greatly reduced energy costs in both
winter and summer. This means more money in your pocket!