SIPs Benefits
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
• A SIP building can achieve outstanding thermal efficiency through air tightness, insulation and homogenous material layers
• Although SIPs were originally developed for colder climates, the excellent thermal qualities also make it relevant and beneficial to hot climates
• Building with SIPs creates a superior building envelope with high thermal resistance and minimal air infiltration
• A continuous insulation and vapour envelope reduces energy use significantly, and the property owner will see savings on their monthly energy bills
• Although SIPs were originally developed for colder climates, the excellent thermal qualities also make it relevant and beneficial to hot climates
• Building with SIPs creates a superior building envelope with high thermal resistance and minimal air infiltration
• A continuous insulation and vapour envelope reduces energy use significantly, and the property owner will see savings on their monthly energy bills
SAVE RESOURCES - SIPs ARE GREEN & SUSTAINABLE
- The major components of SIPs (PIR foam and OSB), take less energy and raw materials to produce than other structural building systems; i.e. 95% of a tree can be used when it is cut into wood chips to make OSB for SIP facings, vs. 63% of a tree when it's sawn into solid lumber; the panel's foam core is recyclable; none of their components contribute to environment degradation
• SIPs come from one source only, as an INTEGRATED system, therefore less impact on the environment: •less air & water pollution, gas emission, CO2 emission on the construction stage as well as on the running period of the building (due to the excellent energy efficiency and air tightness) •less transportation and less waste materials •precise control over the indoor air quality of the home, keeping out allergens, humidity or dust •no “heavy” industry production for iron, cement, aggregates, bricks etc. needed - SIPs are the most compatible with other systems that lead to passive homes
- On a life-cycle basis, a more energy-efficient house built with SIPs will be less damaging to the environment, in terms of overall resource consumption.
SAFETY & STRENGTH
•SIPs are significantly superior to the conventional constructions; there is considerable evidence that homes built with SIPs have survived natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, straight-line winds and earthquakes better than traditional homes
•The proven superiority in transverse and axial loading capabilities and increased racking resistance over conventional framing make SIPs a stronger, safer alternative; SIPs have exceptional strength to resist typical loads caused by seismic activity and high winds
•Strong framing product allows for longer spans, often without a truss sytem
•Fully designed and fabricated in a controlled factory environment, SIPs ensure the end product that arrives on site is accurate and defect free
•SIP constructions are certified for 60 years lifespan, while the concrete buildings have a scientific lifespan of 50 years
•The proven superiority in transverse and axial loading capabilities and increased racking resistance over conventional framing make SIPs a stronger, safer alternative; SIPs have exceptional strength to resist typical loads caused by seismic activity and high winds
•Strong framing product allows for longer spans, often without a truss sytem
•Fully designed and fabricated in a controlled factory environment, SIPs ensure the end product that arrives on site is accurate and defect free
•SIP constructions are certified for 60 years lifespan, while the concrete buildings have a scientific lifespan of 50 years
DESIGN FLEXIBILITY
•SIPs are completely flexible and tailored to suit any requirements; complicated shapes and angles can be produced more economically often without the need for additional costly frames, while saving the usable area
•When a project is designed with SIPs components from its conception, the modular size and spanning capabilities of SIPs can be fully utilised
•Individual architects schemes can be modified to work with SIPs, usually without affecting the look of the project
•Any changes can be easily made to existing projects: extra rooms or floors, attics
•Design flexibility and production capabilities inherent with the SIPs system make it attractive for both custom projects and to those interested in affordable housing
•When a project is designed with SIPs components from its conception, the modular size and spanning capabilities of SIPs can be fully utilised
•Individual architects schemes can be modified to work with SIPs, usually without affecting the look of the project
•Any changes can be easily made to existing projects: extra rooms or floors, attics
•Design flexibility and production capabilities inherent with the SIPs system make it attractive for both custom projects and to those interested in affordable housing
AFFORDABILITY & COST EFFICIENCY
•SIP basic construction cost is 30% less than conventional concrete buildings
•Pre-insulated – no need to purchase additional insulation; pre-fabricated & pre-cut when delivered to the jobsite – save 20-30% on framing labour
•Exact construction planned costs and precise quantity of materials needed, as on site cutting and fabrication are eliminated. This means you will not have unexpected costs or surprises from your contractor
•Low cost modifications and fast rate of construction, which will minimise the time, cost and labour force on your project
•Major running and maintenance cost savings over the lifetime of the building, therefore extremely low costs on energy, repairs or design changes
•Building with SIPs offers cost advantages to the builder in terms of speed of construction and reduced labour requirements
•Pre-insulated – no need to purchase additional insulation; pre-fabricated & pre-cut when delivered to the jobsite – save 20-30% on framing labour
•Exact construction planned costs and precise quantity of materials needed, as on site cutting and fabrication are eliminated. This means you will not have unexpected costs or surprises from your contractor
•Low cost modifications and fast rate of construction, which will minimise the time, cost and labour force on your project
•Major running and maintenance cost savings over the lifetime of the building, therefore extremely low costs on energy, repairs or design changes
•Building with SIPs offers cost advantages to the builder in terms of speed of construction and reduced labour requirements
TIME SAVINGS - BUILD MORE IN LESS TIME
•From a material standpoint, SIPs take the place of a whole assembly. Instead of separate pieces of framing, insulation and sheathing, a SIP panel incorporates ALL of these components and comes ready to install – this reduces the erection time drastically
•Walls and roof are straight from the start with precisely cut panels, and a range of finishes can be easily applied, turning each building or home into an unique structure
•Less labour means fewer trades people on site, saving time and costs, and also earlier site lock-up with reduced exposure to theft, vandalism and the elements
•Speed of completion means earlier cash recovery and improved cash flow
•Walls and roof are straight from the start with precisely cut panels, and a range of finishes can be easily applied, turning each building or home into an unique structure
•Less labour means fewer trades people on site, saving time and costs, and also earlier site lock-up with reduced exposure to theft, vandalism and the elements
•Speed of completion means earlier cash recovery and improved cash flow
Copyright 2011