All things considered, SIPs generally cost about the same as lesser building materials. The efficiencies of any system become more evident with time. Not having job site waste, for instance, can save considerably in landfill fees. These, along with labor savings, faster dry in time, better drywall utilization and a host of other real monetary savings are realized when you choose SIPs!

SIP is an acronym for Structural Insulated Panel. Joining high performance rigid foam insulation to oriented strand board, (OSB), produces these engineered wood building components. The result is a building product that is predictable, resource efficient and cost effective. SIPs are used as floors, walls and roofs on all types of buildings across North America and shipped around the world for use on the widest variety of buildings imaginable.

In commercial construction, wiring is pulled through laid out pipe called conduit. There are actually "chases" that are built into the foam cores that work like conduit. Electricians use a fish tape and feed the wires through panels without compressing insulation or drilling through studs. Plumbing is not usually placed in walls, especially exterior walls, but through the floor into the bottom of cabinets. Where exterior wall vent pipes are necessary, chases can be formed in the foam cores. Island vents or loop vents are also common practices and can be found in the plumbing codes.

SIPs are a structural composite, kind of like an 'I'-beam. The skins act like the flanges and the rigid core is similar to the web. In short, the three components work together, rather than against one another.  This composite assembly yields stiffness, strength and predictable responses. Not only do test results show panels are stronger, but real life have proven it time and again. The Great Hanshin (Kobe, Japan) and North Ridge earthquakes, hurricane Andrew, a Colorado tornado, a Portland gas explosion and an Omaha fire, have done more to prove SIP strength to the homeowners than the all of the scientific tests.

Fire requires three components, fuel, ignition and oxygen. SIPs have no 'air' within their solid cores of insulation. The fire cannot, "run up the wall" cavity even when balloon framed. SIPs have passed every Standard fire test that is required of wood based or type V construction. A key element of is protection of the SIPs and any other underlying structure with thermal barriers like gypsum wallboard.

The cutting is done on a factory floor.  Determining what cuts to make is done on a computer screen. The weather in a factory is never too hot, wet or cold. Easily recognized components are shipped to the site for assembly, rather than waiting for interpretation of blue prints. SIPs also come in much larger dimensional sizes than other building materials. The framing crew is more productive, the project is dried in from the weather faster and other subcontractors can get a head start on the work that needs to be done.

Because better educated consumers' demand more for their dollar, SIPs are one of the fastest growing segments in the construction industry. Like other engineered wood products, time and care have been taken to evaluate and produce a complete systems approach. Since the Mid - 1980's Major Model Building Codes have accepted SIPs as structural building components and systems. Over 20 years of destructive laboratory testing to nationally recognized code standards along with over 60 years of proof in real life homes and businesses have proven that SIPs are the best choice for homes and light commercial construction.

All of the advanced technology building systems require some sort of mechanical ventilation. These systems bring fresh air into the home or building and exhaust the moisture laden or stale air to the outside. Often they can be combined with filter systems or other fresh air devices. Not only is ventilation practical, but a code requirement in many areas. Many HRV's or heat recovery ventilators are available from your mechanical contractor.