What are SIPs? 

Structural insulated panels, or SIPs (pronounced "sip"/"sips"), are one-piece pre-cut wall, floor, or roof segments that arrive to the construction site ready to install. Premier panels are comprised of an EPS insulating core (molded expanded polystyrene, which is rigid foam insulation) sandwiched between two continuous sheets of engineered OSB (oriented strand board). In other words, a SIP is a foam core with OSB laminated to either side. The EPS core provides excellent insulation and the majority of the panel's thickness. The OSB skins on either side of the core provide structural support.

SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and are custom designed for each home or building. While materials other than OSB may be used for the outer layers and a different insulating core can be used in place of EPS, leading panel manufacturers have seen that these materials provide the best performance, are environmentally friendly, and are reasonably priced.

• Benefits during the framing phase of building with SIPs include:
• Fewer weather-related delays.
• Shorter build schedules (when using a contractor familiar with SIPs).
• Ability to control raising labor costs by minimizing on-site labor needs.
• Less skilled labor required.
• Achieve faster weather tightness.
• Eliminates the removal and replacement of warped studs.
• Reduction of jobsite theft due to slower lockup.
• Reduced weather-related materials damage.
• Factory-controlled quality.
• Energy-efficiency of panel assembly.
• Ease of installation.

Benefits of living in a home built with Premier panels include:

• Homes that perform 40% to 60% better than the Model Energy Code.
  
• Long-term savings through greater energy efficiency.
  
• A healthy living environment through proper adequate ventilation.
  
• Increased appraisal value when part of a complete energy-efficient home design.
  
• Greater structural integrity than with conventional framing.
  
• Improved long-term building envelope performance.
  

SIPs are quite versatile in their applications. They are typically used as both structural and insulating walls, roofs, and floors in residential and commercial projects. In commercial steel framed projects, they are sometimes used as an insulative outer skin for the building. SIPs are frequently used for flat commercial roofs. For commercial kitchens and cold storage, they can be used to build the walls of walk-in refrigerators and freezers. They are available in a variety of thicknesses to adjust to the needs of various regions and projects.