what are Structural Insulated Panels

comfort, energy-efficient, quiet

Those are qualities you think about after deciding to build a new home, office or addition. Structural insulated panels are one way to guard against rising energy costs while providing energy-efficient comfort.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors and roofs. They replace conventional stud or "stick frame" construction. They are made in a factory and shipped to job sites, where they are connected together to construct a building. SIPs may be called foam-core panels, stress-skin panels, sandwich panels, or structural foam panels. They were first developed and tested by the Forest Products Laboratory of the United States Forest Service in 1935.

Frank Lloyd Wright used them in the Usonian houses in the 1930s. Wright aspired to create a democratic, distinctly American style that was affordable for the "common people". Until about ten years ago, SIPs were not in wide use. However, the SIP manufacturing industry has greatly expanded in recent years in response to increasing demand by builders for these labor, material, and energy saving products.

A SIP consists of an engineered sandwich or laminate with a solid foam core 4 to 12 inches thick (10.2 to 30.5 cm) and structural facing or sheathing on each side. The facing is glued to the foam core and the panel is either pressed or placed in a vacuum to bond the sheathing and core together. The most common types of facing materials are oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood, though manufacturers can customize the exterior and interior sheathing materials according to customer requirements. They can be produced in various sizes or dimensions. A SIP has a high strength-to-weight ratio and a high R-value.

SIPs can be used in almost any construction setting but are most common in residential construction. The greatest advantage of these panels is that they provide superior and uniform insulation in comparison to more common methods of house construction. When installed properly, SIPs also provide a more airtight dwelling. This makes the building more comfortable, energy-efficient, and quiet. SIPs have exceptional strength and meet the South Florida Building Code (one of the most stringent in the U.S.). In addition, they are approved by the International Building Code.