Structural Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels SIPs
The principal of sustainable building based on efficiency. The concepts of efficiency are paramount to the understanding the practice of building and the application of choosing framing types based on the most desirable outcomes. Regardless of the external environment the practice of building revolves around the acceptability of the interior environment of the building to the occupants and objects therein contained. The pursuit of constructing energy efficient buildings requires the builder, owner or designer to weigh the options available to them to create a structure that is comfortable, energy efficient, economical to build and acceptable for the environment in which the structure is placed.
Energy usage for the heating and cooling the building is the greatest energy cost for a single family home. The fabrication of exterior walls provides an opportunity for lowering energy cost. According to Dan Chiras, “Heating and cooling the interior of our homes consumes the largest portion of residential energy--about 44 percent” (Chiras, 2008). The framing of a wall is most often the simplest type where the minimum insulation allowed by present building codes is utilized. This type of wall structure is of 2 X 6” wood construction with R-22 batt type insulation. Where a building is intended to be of greater operating efficiency there are several methods of fabricating the walls where the R-value of the wall far surpasses the code minimum. Building to a higher insulation level creates savings on heating and cooling cost over the life of the building can offset greater cost of fabrication when compared to the minimum code method. These types of homes are termed Super-insulated homes.
Advanced frameing methods for super-insulated homes are growing in number, resulting from new methods being developed and technology aiding in lowering cost. One method which has been under development is The SIPs (structural insulated panel) system. The
The principal of sustainable building based on efficiency. The concepts of efficiency are paramount to the understanding the practice of building and the application of choosing framing types based on the most desirable outcomes. Regardless of the external environment the practice of building revolves around the acceptability of the interior environment of the building to the occupants and objects therein contained. The pursuit of constructing energy efficient buildings requires the builder, owner or designer to weigh the options available to them to create a structure that is comfortable, energy efficient, economical to build and acceptable for the environment in which the structure is placed.
Energy usage for the heating and cooling the building is the greatest energy cost for a single family home. The fabrication of exterior walls provides an opportunity for lowering energy cost. According to Dan Chiras, “Heating and cooling the interior of our homes consumes the largest portion of residential energy--about 44 percent” (Chiras, 2008). The framing of a wall is most often the simplest type where the minimum insulation allowed by present building codes is utilized. This type of wall structure is of 2 X 6” wood construction with R-22 batt type insulation. Where a building is intended to be of greater operating efficiency there are several methods of fabricating the walls where the R-value of the wall far surpasses the code minimum. Building to a higher insulation level creates savings on heating and cooling cost over the life of the building can offset greater cost of fabrication when compared to the minimum code method. These types of homes are termed Super-insulated homes.
Advanced frameing methods for super-insulated homes are growing in number, resulting from new methods being developed and technology aiding in lowering cost. One method which has been under development is The SIPs (structural insulated panel) system. The