Article
SIPs: Part 5 of 6
By Brandon Helms, P.E., Maple Brook Engineering, Inc.
Sizes & Thicknesses
Premier panels are made of OSB skins with EPS cores. The OSB skins allow the buildings to remain as wood framed buildings, and the EPS cores are well insulating and easy to work with. The OSB is a consistent, engineered product that is rated the same as CDX plywood. The OSB sheets are available in sizes up to 8’-0” x 28’-0”, although the standard size is 8’-0” x 24’-0”. The large sizes allow for panels to be installed in large areas, minimizing the number of joints as well as the amount of lumber that is needed to support the SIPs. The EPS can be melted to allow for installation of lumber, electrical chases, etc., which makes it easier to work with than many of the other types of cores.
The cores of the panels come in thicknesses that match the measurements of dimensional lumber. Nominally, the standard panel sizes are 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, and 12”. The panels can be special ordered in thicknesses to match engineered lumber since all panels are pressed specifically for each project. Curved panels of the same composition can also be incorporated into designs, though they are more expensive to manufacture.
Construction
In many ways, SIPs are comparable to conventional stick framing construction, which is good news to general and framing contractors who are trained and experienced in framing. The SIPs are a wood panel and are installed using all of the “normal” installation tools most framing contractors are used to working with – circular and reciprocating saws, hammers, and nail guns. The only specialized tool that is required is a foam scoop, which generally is provided with a panel package. Additional specialized tools that can make the installation easier or faster are chainsaws and ratchet straps.
Because the skins of the SIP are carrying vertical loads, the skins of the panels have to be supported continuously by the foundation, which is the main reason for any differences in construction details.
The learning curve for building with SIPs is fairly short and any good framing contractor can build with SIPs. For the project owner, it is important to select a high quality builder since the framer is also the insulator and lays the groundwork for the electrician. All of the joints in the SIP are sealed with both an elastomeric caulk (panel mastic) as well as an elastomeric self adhesive membrane (SIP tape) to ensure the panel is properly sealed against air leakage. Any lumber, such as a post under a ridge beam, has to be drilled to match the preformed electrical chases in the panels to ensure a continuous chase for the electrician. As with many other issues, the post can be drilled after the SIPs are installed - it is just more labor intensive.
About Us
Panel Source, Inc. is an Oregon-based distributor of Premier Building System’s structural insulated panels.
Our goal is to promote the inclusion of SIPs in the design phase and provide training for proper installation to
encourage high quality and sustainable building practices. We promote SIPs primarily through education for
design professionals, construction specifiers, contractors, building departments, and homeowners. Our
primary area of focus is Oregon and Northern California, but we sell into any of the western US states
and Alaska and Hawaii. If you are interested in learning more about SIPs, please feel free to visit our
website and contact us to learn more about using them on a specific project or to schedule a presentation
with your firm or construction team
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