GLOBAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS

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Advantages of SIPs

Proven Performance - SIPs have been used in tens of thousands of structures since the 1950s.
Speed of Construction Framing with SIPs reduces construction time 50%. All building trades benefit with SIPs. Thus, cost of construction is significantly reduced.
Energy Savings A continuous insulation and vapor envelope reduces energy use significantly, and the property owner will see savings on their monthly energy bill for years to come.
System Strength - Testing shows SIPs are structurally sounder than conventional construction. SIPs have been designed to withstand nature’s wrath, and have survived real world natural disasters.
Environmental SIPs have regenerable wood facers and high R-value EPS (with no CFCs). They save energy, reduce air pollution, and minimize jobsite waste.
Cost Savings - SIPs SAVE MONEY!

SIPs vs. Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) vs. Steel - COST REDUCTION

A reduction of labor cost can be expected, as well as reduced material costs. Speed of construction will be increased substantially when using Structural Insulated Panels. Installation of a single wall panel section (32ft2) will require no more than 15 minutes with 3 men (.75 man hours). A block mason (exclusive of his laborers) will typically require 3 man hours to complete the same length of wall - a 300% time savings, and even greater labor savings.

Typical concrete construction requires cure time allowance at each floor level, while panels do not, ensuring that progression is continuous.

Structures built, or clad, with SIPs weigh significantly less than conventionally built structures. Thus, the entire foundation design can be significantly reduced, resulting in marked cost savings.

Concrete Masonry Unit walls increase in weight as mass increases. The weight of Fiber Cement SIP walls increase very little as thickness/mass increases, as EPS is the only material that increases in width/mass. The average weight increase for a 4’ x 10’ panel, in 2’ increments, is 7lbs per increment.

Reducing the overall weight of a structure allows for a significant decrease in foundation material, and decreases the elevated weight, allowing superior performance in seismic loading, which significantly decreases cost.

By way of example, a direct cost comparison for the foundation on a 2930ft2 ground floor of a two story duplex was calculated. As originally designed, the foundation required 1,670ft3 of concrete. With a revised design, made possible by the use of a SIPs panel system, the same foundation requires only 674ft3 of concrete. In this example, 60% less concrete is required for the revised design. This does not include the CMU block or rebar required as originally designed. Further, the cost reduction carries through the upper floors, requiring a further reduction in concrete and steel.

SIP BENEFITS FOR BUYERS

Green building product. 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. Much less dimensional lumber is used in a SIP home than in a traditional framed structure.
Extremely strong structure. There is considerable evidence that homes with SIP wall and ceiling panels have survived natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, straight-line winds and earthquakes better than traditional stick-framed homes right next door.
Improved comfort. Thanks to extra R-values and tight construction, the wall and ceiling surfaces in a SIP home will control temperatures better than in stick-framed construction, resulting in a more comfortable home.
Indoor Air Quality. While there is no guarantee, most homes built with SIPs are tight enough that builders can't ignore upgrading mechanical ventilation compared to that found in a standard home. In many studies in North American housing, the best indoor air quality is found in homes that are tight, and equipped with upgraded mechanical ventilation.
Interactive systems benefits. For example, a more energy-efficient home may cost slightly more to build, but in turn can be heated and cooled with smaller equipment that costs less to install.
Lower energy bills. Discounting the "human factor" - thermostat settings and so forth - a number of side-by-side tests show that between 15% and 40% less energy should be needed to heat and cool a home with SIP wall and ceiling panels. In tests by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, SIP walls outperform fiberglass walls by over 50%.

SIP BENEFITS FOR BUILDERS

Cost competitive. While most builders say they pay a little more for SIPs than for the comparable framing and insulation package in a stick-built home, as a group they believe the benefits are worth the costs. When taking into account time, effort, and efficiency, the most experienced SIP builders say that a house framed with SIPs should cost about the same as a house framed with comparably-sized dimensional lumber, and maybe even a little less.
Easier to hang drywall. There is solid backing for all drywall against exterior walls, which means there is less cutting, faster attachment and less waste material.
Fewer framing callbacks. Wall panels go in plumb, square and straight. Once in place, a SIP won't warp, twist or check.
Fewer framers. crew can consist of one lead framer assisted by minimally-skilled helpers.
Increased referrals. fair number of builders report their marketing efforts have decreased ever since they started using SIP building systems.
Less theft. While 2x4s and 2x6s are prone to " walking off" unsecured job sites, panels are too specific to the site's building system to be worth hauling off somewhere else.
Less jobsite waste. If you've ordered a set of panels with all rough openings for windows and doors pre-cut at the factory, the only true waste you'll have is taking a few cases of empty tubes of adhesive caulk containers to the landfill. And the factory can efficiently collect and recycle their cut-outs much more effectively than you can at the jobsite.
Rigid frame. It's easy bracing SIP walls. In fact, once you have two corner panels up, you can lean a ladder against the panels when needed.
Speed of construction. With the flexibility and ease of cutting panels on site, or in the plant, the speed and efficiency of construction increases significantly. On most jobs you should be out of the weather and dried in sooner.

THE BIG QUESTION:

Building via the "traditional" method APPEARS to cost less than building with SIPs. Why would a builder - or a homeowner for that matter - opt for SIPs instead of conventional methods?

SIPs buildings are consistently straighter, thus resulting in faster installation of doors, windows, etc.
SIP buildings are finished faster, and thus less interest is paid to the lender.
SIPs buildings are, by their very nature, pre-insulated - there's no need to purchase or install additional insulation.
Little to no ductwork is required on a SIPs project.
Once your electrician is up to speed on SIPs, that phase of the project can happen considerably faster.
"Shrinkage" is virtually eliminated - SIP panels don't get "legs" and walk off the jobsite, as excess lumber and insulation can do.
A tighter building requires a smaller HVAC system - you will realize DRAMATIC savings as a result, both in the equipment itself and the utility fees down the road.
Builders may qualify for a $2,000 federal tax incentive, while the homeowner may also qualify for an additional $1,500.
Your building is in the dry faster. Your subcontractors can start - and finish - their work earlier in the project.
With SIP panels used for low slope roofs, no venting is required.
While air purification systems are often recommended, SIPs buildings will often not require them in many climates, thus eliminating that cost altogether.

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