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 | AV8R
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 882 North Central Wisconsin 
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2005-11-07 119096
Does anyone out there have any experience with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)? I am building a house in the spring and I am very interested in this type of building technique. The insulating quality is extremely high. Efficiency is something I am looking for, because this will (hopefully) be my last house.
On a similar note, how about ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms)? These are styrofoam (like) formes that a concrete foundation is poured into.
Thoughts? Experiences??
Link: R-Control Panels
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 | Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL 
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2005-11-07 119099
We had a quite lengthy discussion on the ICFs in the building materials. I have built as have others and like the system I used. There are a number now which are just as good and likely cheaper.
I am worried about the SIPs systems in the US. Everything is done on the penny margin and I would have no certainty that they would be using a good polyurethane system. Urethanes will break down readily if they use cheap materials. I have developed urethanes that are more stable than acrylics, but at a cost. In Europe they use them readily but they don't use cheap materials. In the US it is difficult to purchase the more expensive chemicals.
The only structural work I have done with SIPs here has been old Winnabago travel trailers (70's). A little water in the SIPs and the structural strength is gone. ....
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 | kdsrgone
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 30 south central PA 
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2005-11-07 119113
Almost all of the Timber-Frame homes built today use SIP's for the outer skin. I know for a fact that Davis Frame Company and Yankee Barn Homes do. Perhaps you want to check their web sites to see if you can track down the mfg they use or a builder of their homes in your area and do some research. I know This Old House used them about 10 years ago on a barn rebuild they did and they recently revisited that project and the homeowners said nothing pro or con about the SIPs. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-11-08 119122
I helped a buddy build a place on a very (vehicularly) remote site on Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.
The SIP panels were his first choice, but access, or more particularly, the lack thereof, made it nearly impossible since a crane was out of the question and even getting the panels in was going to be a PITA.
We opted for 'Plan B', which was to infill the spaces in the timber frame with dimensional lumber and then in situ sprayed foam insulation.
The end result was pretty much the same thing, it was just cheaper and easier given the poor access.
Best of luck. ....
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| Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL
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2005-11-09 119140
The foam filled metal panels for garage doors are SIPs structures. I used them for added wind strength on my garage.
A friend build a house from this type of panels. I never went to see it, but reportedly is was very economical and strong. I am not sure how you can put siding on them? ....
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| AV8R
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 882 North Central Wisconsin
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2005-11-09 119142
The inside and outside face are made of 3/4" OSB. Therefore siding and interior attachments (Drywall and cabinets) are directly into this layer.
Never look for a stud again! ....
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| Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL
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2005-11-13 119296
AV8R
No these panels have something like 24 gauge painted steel on either side.
There is a company that makes a house that folds into and ISO shipping container that uses these. I can did up the site if anyone is interested. ....
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| daveinnh
Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 30 central NH
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2005-11-14 119334
We had a timber frame house erected in central NH during summer 2004 using EPS -SIPS from Branch River, Smithfield, RI. The wall panels were built to match the nominal 2 x 6 wall thickness on the outside and 2x 10 on the roof. Since the timber-framer had a crane truck on site for the timber frame (oak, pine, birch, maple, beech) mob for the crane was already incl.
A few thoughts:
* Having viewed some SIP-built houses with unsightly cracks, our T-F went with OSB on boths sides of the panels. Blueboard was placed over the SIP edges. This practice virtually eliminates "reflective cracking" bewteen SIP edges and allows you to screw into the OSB (cabinets, shelves, etc). Don't save with having only drywall on the inside face.
* We went with a 39 x 32 footprint on the main T-F house. The 40' front overlaps the side 32' dimensions to minimize waste.
* Our T-F divised a system to run 1st floor electric along a 12" high chase with 2 layers of foamboard on the outside. The SIPs sit on this 12" chase.
* Provide plans, heating specs, etc. to obtain EnergyStar certification - it wasn't too much extra work. ....
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