Introduction

If you want to build your dream eco-friendly home which complies with the code for sustainable homes then you have come to the right place. You can have that contemporary or traditional look you have always desired.

 

Utilising Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) a complete design, fabrication and erection package is available to you. The combination of strength and flexibility of modern construction methods are used to create the space you want to enhance your lifestyle. The resources, aptitude and knowledge are available for you from concept and planning through to completion to create a home as individual as you are.

 

Working with experts the design of your home is blended with precision engineering and offsite production ensuring completion on time and within budget.

 

SIPs is the abbreviation for Structural Insulated Panels and they are an evolution of a traditional timber frame building. SIPs are a new technology for building better environmental and energy efficient structures. They can also be erected faster than any other building method and produce a stronger structure than traditional buildings. SIPs are a good option for both homeowners and developers, whether you are considering a home extension, a new stand-alone structure or a whole building development. They are also becoming highly popular due to the current environmental issues and due to the fact they are a green sustainable building material, which complies with the code for sustainable homes. SIPs have been in production for over 60 years and are currently used predominately in North America and Japan.

 

They were first used in the 1940's and have been repeatedly tested and proved to be an excellent material for residential and light commercial building. SIP buildings have been proven to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes and the sale of SIPs has increased in Japan due to their high earthquake rate.

 

The knowledge and use of SIPs has taken a long time to appear in mainstream building materials due to the lack of knowledge and testing. SIPs have now been extensively tested and proved to be a reliable building material. They have been passed and accepted by the government and the building industry.

 

SIPs are made up of two outer layers and an insulated centre. The outer facings are made from plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). The outer layers and the insulated centre are non-structural and fragile when used alone. SIPs are formed under strict controlled conditions to pressure-laminate the two materials together and when combined they become exceptionally strong and perfect for structural use. These panels are strong enough to be used without a frame or skeleton to support it and they produce straighter and flatter walls, which provide a better overall structure.

 

SIP buildings are virtually air-tight, they require less heating and cooling energy so they prevent further environmental pollution. The fact that SIPs are extremely energy efficient means they are becoming highly sought after due to the increase in energy bills and continued media reports on environmental issues. Encouragement to decrease your carbon footprint is also contributing to SIPs being the building material of choice.

 

There is also little waste with a SIP designed building as there is less material left over, which saves landfill space and reduces pollution from incineration.

 

The inner foam section of the SIP uses a variety of foam insulation which uses no chloro-fluorocarbon (CFC) or hydrochloro-fluorocarbon (HCFC) that can damage the ozone layer. The adhesives used in SIP manufacturer are water based and solvent free and are not harmful to the environment. OSB board is used for the outer layer of SIP panels and is made from renewable sustainable material.