Structural Insulated Panel
From Swikipedia
Introduction
Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs are prefabricated systems used primarily for walls and roofs. They are considered both a composite and modular system. They employ composite materials, reduce waste through modular construction methods, achieve high insulation values, and may be used instead of many conventional building methods.
Brief Description
Benefits:
• A well-built home using SIPs will have a tighter building envelope and the walls will have higher insulating properties, which leads to fewer drafts and a decrease in operating costs for maintaining a comfortable interior environment for the occupants.
• The panels can be used as floor, wall, and roof, with the use of the panels as floors being of particular benefit when used above an uninsulated space below.
• SIPs maintain similar versatility to stick framed houses when incorporating custom designs.
• Also, since SIPs work as framing, insulation, and exterior sheathing, and can come precut from the factory for the specific job, the exterior building envelope can be built quite quickly, thus reducing the construction time.
• When tested under laboratory conditions, the SIP, included in a wall, foundation, floor, or roof system, is installed in a steady-state (no air infiltration) environment; systems incorporating fiberglass insulation are not installed in steady-state environments as they require ventilation to remove moisture.
Drawback:
Many asphalt shingle manufacturers will not warrantee their product over a SIP. Shingles tend to overheat and research has shown a shortened life span.
References:
http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/green/green-glossary.html
