Energy Efficient Construction

Sustainable Research Center

WHAT ARE SIPS ?

SIPsconsist of an insulating, expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam core laminated between two sheets of oriented strand board (OSB) using a structural adhesive. This engineered system providesan extremely strong building panel that needs no additional frame or skeleton for support. Large, pre-fabricated SIPs make the framing process faster than other building methods and enable a more airtight, well insulated building for high energy efficiency.

AIRTIGHTNESS IN SIPS VS STICK FRAMED CONSTRUCTION

In a study by the department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, two identical test rooms were built side by side. One stick-framed, one SIP-framed. Rooms were tested for air infiltration and the SIP room was FIFTEEN times more airtight, and more energy efficient than the stick-framed roo. This alone illustrates how critical airtightness is to a building's energy efficiency. The science behind air infiltration in framing products explains the key types of air movements and their effect on energy efficiency.

ADVANTAGES OF SIP CONSTRUCTION

ADVANTAGES OF GOING GREEN

Stronger: Exceptional proven product strength, much stronger than traditional framing methods. No need for a truss system
Straighter: Predictable engineered straight product. Why settle for the imperfections of dimensional lumber?
Greener: LEED Points, Environmental Tax Credits, IAQ & more!
Warranty: Peace of mind with a sound warranty. Huge advantage as traditional framing methods offer no warranty.
Fast Close In: Schools are framed in days, not weeks.
Top Code Reports: The industry's best code reports.
Stable R-Value: No thermal drift, unlike other SIPs insulation, the R-Value of PBS'EPS insulating core will remain stableover the entire product service life.
Stable R-Value: No thermal drift, unlike other SIPs insulation, the R-Value of PBS'EPS insulating core will remain stableover the entire product service life.
Proven Performance: PBS SIPs have been used in the field for over 25 years, so actual product performance is well known.

LEED Points: Up to 23 valuable environmental design points through the standard in green certification
Efficient: Reduce heating & cooling costs by 60%
Healthy: Better indoor air quality - less absences
Comfortable: Warmer in winter, cooler in summer
Easy to Operate: Tight building envelope reduces
HVAC mechanical equipment sizes and costs
Environmentally Responsive: SIPs produce 30% less job-site waste than traditional construction, reduce operating costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars
over a school's life cycle and conserve natural resources

NEWS RELEASE

BASF study shows building with SIPs reduces framing construction labor by 55 percent.

FLORAM PARK, NJ, February 13, 2008 - A new BASF study conducted by the RS Means unit of Reed ConstructionData shows that residential builders can reduce their framing labor needs by as much as 55 percent by using structural insulated panels (SIPs) instead of conventional "stick building" methods.

These building systems are so efficient they are used at the South Pole by our scientists.

SIPs are amazingly strong!