Homeowner FAQs #7
Q: What do some of the SIP terms mean?
A: The best way to take care of this is with a glossary-style listing. This is not an exhaustive list of everything, but some of our more common SIP terms:
FABRICATION is the process of taking a standard stock panels and cutting them to fit a specific job. Shop drawings provide panel by panel specifics about how to cut them, and each SIP is labeled with a number to reference during assembly.
FOAM SCOOPS are used to remove foam from between the OSB skins to create a recess. Splines and lumber wraps (such as around windows) are put into the recess. The scoop had a handle, electric cord, and a element (similar in appearance to an electric oven's element). They come in widths that match standard foam core thicknesses.
LIFTING PLATES are one tool that may be used to crane panels into place, such as upper story walls and roofs. Lifting plates are not typically included with SIP packages. Most residential contractors use straps and a forklift, though lifting plates would be a good option to consider for commercial projects or residential projects with a lot of crane availability.
LUMBER INSTALLED packages include some of the lumber and splines for the project installed at the factory. For example, the lumber wrap around the windows is installed and the splines are put into one end of each panel. These are sometimes called RTA, or ready-to-assemble. They are designed to reduce jobsite labor and installation time, and we recommend them for projects in areas with high labor costs or prevailing wage projects. Lumber installed projects present more challenges to field modification, so moving a window would be more difficult with the lumber wrap in than without it. Lumber installed packages usually do not include every piece of lumber that will be needed (such as top and bottom plates) because they cannot be installed in the factory.
MASTIC is an adhesive used to create a seal between surfaces to prevent air leakage. They are used where two SIPs are joined and where SIPs are joined to top and bottom plates. Some other adhesives will degrade or dissolve the foam, such as standard construction adhesive, and mastic is flexible when dry, which helps it maintain a good seal even with minor panel expansion and contraction. (Mastic provided by Premier is blue and comes in tubes.)
READY-TO-ASSEMBLE/RTA is a general term used to describe lumber intalled projects.
SIP SCREWS are used to connect SIP corners and come in two types (wood and metal) and may lengths. They are torx head screws. Wood screws are blue with wider threads, while metal screws are typically black with tighter screws and a different tip.
SIP TAPE is similiar to ice and water shield. It is placed over SIP joints, especially at roof ridges, to prevent air leakage and water condensation. It comes in six, 12, and 18 inch widths and is applied directly to the SIPs (it is self-adhesive) on the interior surface of the walls.
SHOP DRAWINGS are the conversion of the construction set of plans into details that can be used for SIP fabrication in the factory. The building is broken down and each panel detailed and named. Shop drawings should be reviewed by the project owner, contractor, architect, and engineer, and must be signed off prior to production. A thorough review at this time helps ensure the panels fit the job and makes for a much faster assembly.
SPLINES are used to join one SIP to another. They fit into the recess left in the foam and are nailed or screwed into to make the connection. They can be supersplines (the same material configuration as the SIP, just a little narrower), dimensional lumber (KD is strongly preferred over green), posts and beams, or engineered lumber.
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