SIP Panels: R-Values in the Real World

Source: Structural Insulated Panel Association, www.sips.org

Insulation is one of the key components of any energy-efficient home or commercial building.  With heating and cooling accounting for 50 percent of energy use in the average home, the type of insulation you choose can save thousands of dollars in utility bills over the life of your home.

Insulation is rated by R-value, which measures a material’s thermal resistance.  An insulating material with a higher R-value forms a more effective thermal barrier between the outside temperature and the conditioned space inside the home.

But R-value doesn’t tell the whole story.  Laboratory tests that determine R-value have little resemblance to how insulation actually performs in a home.  When real world factors such as air infiltration, extreme temperatures and thermal bridging are present, field-installed fiberglass insulation can lose more than half its R-value.  Research has repeatedly shown that SIPs provide continuous insulation that will maintain its stated R-value for the life of the home and outperform fiberglass insulation every time.



Read more: http://www.sips.org

SIP Panel Industry Grows Market Share Despite Retreating Housing Market

Note:  This is good news from the Structural Insulated Panel industry!  If you are looking for architects experienced in SIP panels, contact us about your project!

Industry survey reveals gains in residential market share helped producers dodge full force of construction downturn



July 1, 2010 – Despite four years of declining U.S. housing starts, the structural insulated panel (SIP) industry has avoided the full force of the economic recession, according to a recent survey conducted by the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA). Results indicate that the industry experienced a 12 percent decrease in residential production volume in 2009, compared to a 28 percent drop in U.S. single family housing starts over the same time period.


2009 is the fifth consecutive year the industry has gained share in the residential market. It is now estimated that the panelized building system accounts for between one and two percent of U.S. single family home starts. SIPA Executive Director Bill Wachtler attributes much of the industry’s growth to the increasing popularity of green and energy-efficient homes. SIPs are composed of insulating foam sandwiched between two structural facings, creating an effective thermal barrier that can save homeowners up to 50 percent on heating and cooling costs.


“The rising cost of energy and concern over global climate change has really pushed green building into the mainstream,” said Wachtler. “SIPs give architects and builders an easy way to create an airtight building envelope that will improve the energy efficiency and durability of any home or light commercial building.”


Of the total 42 million square feet of SIPs produced in North America in 2009, 43 percent went to residential buildings, 32 percent to non-residential buildings, and the remaining 24 percent were used for non-building purposes, such as industrial coolers. An estimated 1,300 commercial buildings were constructed with SIPs in 2009, including schools, retail stores and agricultural buildings. Non-residential production declined 19 percent from the previous year.


“Like all industries we are affected by the recession and the drop in new construction,” said Wachtler. “But the strong market share gains we’ve experienced in the residential market indicate that the SIP industry is likely to see a significant boost in production as the economy recovers.”


Several different combinations of materials are used to construct SIPs, but the basic concept remains the same. The most popular facing materials are oriented strand board (OSB) and metal. Plywood and other materials such as fiber cement board accounted for only 6 percent of SIPs used in building applications.


The survey also polled SIP manufacturers regarding their geographic distribution. The top ranking regions for SIP use were the Mountain, East North Central (upper Midwest), and Pacific regions.


About SIPA
The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) is a non-profit association representing manufacturers, suppliers, dealer/distributors, design professionals, and builders committed to providing quality structural insulated panels for all segments of the construction industry.


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Insulated Panels

Structural insulated panels are being installed on our project in the Upper Valley in New Hampshire.  The insulated panels create a continuous, high performance insulating shell. 

The panels for this home, also called SIP panels, were provided by Foard Panel, and were precut for windows and doors.  The precut panels allowed for a quick installation and also reduces on-site waste.

The panels are applied vertically then the interior drywall is applied horizontally, which is then cut for the openings.

Insulated panels are a great insulation system.  For more information on SIPs, see previous blogs on Structural insulated panels.

Timber Homes and Green Building

There is a natural fit with timber frame, SIP Panels, and green building.

Posts and beams can be recycled from old factories, barns, and historical buildings, adding character and a unique history to the home and showing respect for our limited resources. Timber homes are green, in that they last for centuries (there are some Asian timber frames built in the 6th and 12th centuries still standing today). Rather than having to be rebuilt in 50 years, the timber frame home’s exterior could be updated and the interior completely renovated several times while the timber frame remains structurally sound and beautiful. As added benefits, the timber frame addresses quality issues, brings warmth to the house, and also aids in delineating spaces and gives an order and rhythm to the home.

SIP panels address the efficiency of the home and can be used in any climate. The structural insulated panel enclosure system creates a thermal envelope around the timber frame, keeping your home warm in the dead of winter and cool in the hot summer months. (SIPs were even supplied for the International Science Station at the South Pole, where summer temperatures average minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit!) The insulation used in SIP panels is a lightweight rigid foam plastic composed of 98% air, and requires only a small amount of petroleum to produce. Also, the foam insulation is made using a non-CFC blowing agent that does not threaten the earth’s ozone layer. Since SIPs are prefabricated in the factory, there is less jobsite waste that needs to be landfilled. Most SIP panel manufacturers recycle factory scrap to make other foam products.

There are many quality timber frame and SIP panel manufacturers around the country, allowing homeowners to work with a company near them, reducing the amount of travel required for the material to get to your site.

As far as the timber home’s space, additional features, and systems, your green architect will give you numerous options in the green building process to save money and protect your investment.

Timber Frame Design

Timber frame designs, including schematic drawings and renderings, help visualize what the inside of certain areas of a timber frame home will look like.

The one story home design below will have a timber frame roof system with SIP panel walls and roof, which wrap around the timber frame to create a high performance energy efficient thermal envelope and leave the beautiful timbers exposed to the interior.

Color renderings with foliage and landscaping bring the elevations to life and demonstrate the various approaches to the home.

Click for more details and a project description of these one story house plans. If you are interested in timber frame design, see our architectural services and fees.

Insulated Panels: How green are they?

If you are planning to build a green home, SIP panels (structural insulated panels) are a strong, energy efficient, cost effective building system that can save you time, money and labor. But are they green? The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), answers:

Energy efficiency: Structural insulated panels are one of the most environmentally responsible building systems available. A SIP building envelope provides high levels of insulation and is extremely airtight, meaning the amount of energy used to heat and cool a home can be cut by up to 50 percent. The energy that powers homes and commercial buildings is responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere. By reducing the amount of energy used in buildings, architects, builders, and homeowners can contribute to a clean environment for the future.

Resource use: The insulation used in SIPs is a lightweight rigid foam plastic composed of 98% air, and requires only a small amount of petroleum to produce. The foam insulation used in panel cores is made using a non-CFC blowing agent that does not threaten the earth’s ozone layer.

Waste minimization: Since SIPs are prefabricated in the factory, there is less jobsite waste that needs to be landfilled. Factory fabrication is often done using optimization software and many manufacturers recycle factory scrap to make other foam products.

Source: Structural Insulated Panel Association

Ventilation Requirements for Homes Using SIP Panels

All new homes need active ventilation air – in fact, the “tighter” the house, the greater the need. Structural insulated panel homes are no different. This high performance insulation system has exploded in popularity in the energy efficient building industry. Ventilation in a SIP home is necessary to protect you and your family from odors and indoor air contaminants, as well as to control the building’s interior moisture levels.

In addition to natural ventilation by windows, doors and skylights, your SIP home should have both spot ventilation and dilution ventilation systems. Spot ventilation systems are exhaust systems located in a point source of pollution such as the kitchen or bathroom. Fans properly vented to the outdoors remove moisture, odors, and pollutants that otherwise collect in the home.

Dilution ventilation systems draw outside air into the home through ducted systems while exhausting stale interior air. This exchange of air controls indoor moisture levels and lowers airborne contaminants to create a healthy home environment. Most SIP homes utilize either a heat recovery system (HRV) or an energy recovery system (ERV). Both supply the home with balanced air intake and exhaust. HRV’s are usually used in cooler, dry climates. A heat exchanger transfers a large portion of the heat (no moisture) between the exhaust air stream and the outside air stream. ERV’s, typically used in warmer humid climates, also use a type of heat exchanger system where both heat and moisture are exchanged, keeping the moisture level higher in cold dry months and the ventilation balanced.

A ventilation system (HRV or ERV) helps your SIP home, or any home with a tight building envelope, perform optimally, controlling indoor moisture, odors, and contaminants, providing you with a healthy home environment.

Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

How Structural Insulated Panels Measure Up to LEED

Are you looking for LEED certification for your new energy efficient home and plan to use structural insulated panels? SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel Association) has calculated the points the project could be awarded using structural insulated panels. Below are the categories and possible points earned for using structural insulated panel walls, roofs, and floor systems:

Performance Path - EA – Energy and Atmosphere

EA 1: Optimize Energy Performance-Maximum 34 Points

Using the Performance Pathway, the home is awarded points based on overall energy performance, measured by a HERS Index. A home’s HERS Index is calculated by a certified energy rater and takes into account the insulation, results from a blower door test, HVAC, lighting, and other relevant information. LEED points are allocated on a scale ranging from 0 points for ENERGY STAR and 34 points for a net zero energy home. Homes must meet ENERGY STAR as a prerequisite for this credit.

Prescriptive Path

EA 2.1: Basic Insulation-Prerequisite

Builders must install insulation that meets or exceeds the requirements of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). SIPs are listed as an exception to this requirement, and must alternately pass a visual inspection using the ENERGY STAR SIP Visual Inspection Form.

EA 2.2 Enhanced Insulation-2 points

SIP construction qualifies as enhanced insulation if it passes the visual inspection using the ENERGY STAR SIP Visual Inspection Form.

EA 3: Air Infiltration-Maximum 3 points

Well sealed SIP homes have a proven track record of achieving extremely low levels of air infiltration. Homes are awarded points based on their blower door test results, with a maximum of 3 points possible.

Performance Path - Materials and Resources (MR)

MR 1.4 Framing Efficiencies-Maximum 3 points

The project is given one point for each SIP system used: walls, roofs, and floors. If SIP floors are not used, points can be earned by using other material-efficient framing techniques, such as spacing floor joists greater than 16” o.c.

MR 2.2 Environmentally Preferable Products-Maximum 1 point

SIP homes qualify for 0.5 points if two of the three building components (wall, roof, or floor) use FSC certified OSB. SIPs are eligible for an additional 0.5 points if they are produced within 500 miles of the home.

MR 3.2 Construction Waste Reduction-Maximum 3 points

Using prefabricated SIPs decreases the amount of onsite construction waste, helping builders qualify for waste reduction points. Waste reduction points are given on a scale ranging from 0 to 3 depending on the amount of waste generated per square foot of the home.

NOTE from SIPA: This information is meant for reference only. Actual project scoring will depend on the individual rater, builder, and other factors.

Do you have questions about you building a green home using structural insulated panels? We're happy too answers your questions about SIPs homes, sustainable design, and hybrid homes (combining timberframe with structural insulated panels).

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Structural Insulated Panels in a Green Home

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are helping homeowners cut their heating bills in half.

SIPs, sometimes known as stress skin panels, are made of an insulating foam core with OSB (oriented strand board) bonded to either side. There are three types of foam cores – EPS (expanded polystyrene), XPS (extruded polystyrene), and urethane (either polyisocyanurate or polyurethane), ranging in R-Values from 13 to 40 (R-value refers to a materials ability to resist transferring heat), far above conventional wall construction with fiberglass or cellulose insulation.

Panels are typically installed vertically on the home walls. Panel connections are fastened with splines or cams and then expanding foam insulation is sprayed directly into the remaining space, sealing the connection and creating a continuous thermal insulating wall for the home. (In a timber frame or post and beam home, the panels are wrapped around the exterior of the timber frame.)

Panel wall R-Values differ according to insulation type and thickness, but all are superior when compared to conventional construction. Walls made of 2x material with fiberglass or cellulose insulation have a reduction in R-Value at every stud, but panel walls form a continuous thermal envelope with no reduction in R-Values. This means increased energy efficiency, lower heating and cooling costs and a drastic reduction in drafts in the home.

If reducing your energy costs by close to 50% isn’t enough, SIPs provide other benefits; a healthy living environment, reduced construction site waste, design flexibility, fast installation and reduced labor costs, a finish-ready exterior and superior strength to meet wind and snow loads.

For an estimate on building a green home with structural insulated panels, give us a call or send an email describing your project.

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Do structural insulated panels really contain formaldehyde? Should you be concerned about using them in your new green home?

Yes – and no. Read on.

Formaldehyde is a common chemical and a by-product of combustion (tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and fumes from fireplaces, furnaces, and wood stoves). It can also be found in water solutions such as preservatives or disinfectants, and is used in the manufacture of many building materials. Formaldehyde gas has no color, but in high quantities has a sharp smell and can be toxic.

There are two main types of formaldehyde: urea and phenol. The majority of health problems come from urea formaldehyde. In the 1950’s urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was developed. UFFI was usually mixed on site during a home’s construction and then injected into the walls where it could “cure” and become an insulator. Because excessive amounts of urea formaldehyde gas escaped from the walls and made people sick, UFFI has not been used since the 1980’s and is banned in many places. However, today urea formaldehyde is also present in water-resistant adhesives and is generally used in building products such as paneling and particle board in cabinets, furniture, and shelves.

Phenol formaldehyde is far less toxic than urea formaldehyde and in building applications is used as an adhesive in plywood, particleboard, and waferboard – the OSB used in structural insulated panels.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has acceptable limit standards for formaldehyde levels in manufactured housing – 0.2ppm in plywood products and 0.3 ppm in particle board products. The oriented strand board (OSB) used in structural insulated panels contains only small amounts of phenol formaldehyde (less than 0.1 ppm). Outdoor air levels are often higher than 0.05ppm and in urban areas can exceed 0.1ppm and because of the trace amount in SIPs, HUD has made them exempt from testing and certification.

This is why the SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel Association) answered the question, “Do SIPs contain formaldehyde?” with, “technically yes, realistically no”.

A technical report prepared by the Engineered Wood Association was prepared after extensive tests (soon after the products were manufactured and again after they had aged several months) on samples of Douglas fir, Southern pine plywood, waferboard, oriented strand board, composite panels, and a phenolic particleboard. The report draws the same conclusion, stating: “In summary, all available scientific data indicate that the maximum formaldehyde levels associated with phenolic resin-bonded wood panel products, even when freshly manufactured, are about the same as background levels present in outdoor air in urban environments. There does not appear to be any evidence that such low levels are causing health problems.” For the test analysis, read the full report titled “Structural Wood Panels and Formaldehyde”.

In conclusion, worse contributors of formaldehyde in the home can include furniture and wood finishing products, carpets, gas stoves, and kerosene heaters; therefore, it is extremely important to have proper ventilation by installing an air-to-air exchanger in your new green home. Click on the link to read more about the importance of proper ventilation in SIPs.

Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Structural Insulated Panels - R-Values

If you are planning to build an energy efficient home, SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels or stress skin panels) will help you achieve the energy savings you’re looking for. In fact, building a green home with SIPs could save you approximately 50% - 60% in heating and cooling costs compared to a home built with 2x material and fiberglass or cellulose insulation. (Visit the Structural Insulated Panel Association's website)

Structural Insulated Panels create a continuous thermally insulated wall with R-Values superior to that of fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Below is an R-Value analysis chart (thanks to Foard Panel).

Delivering substantial energy savings, providing a less drafty building envelope, better noise insulation and providing a comfortable living environment, “SIPs” is one of the biggest buzz words in the green building industry. Visit our website for more information on how you can build a green home with SIPs!

Jackie Lampiasi, Marketing Director
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Types of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) Available

You’ve probably heard that SIPs, as structural insulated panels and stress-skin panels are often called, outperform conventional fiberglass insulation as far as energy efficiency, but did you know there are several types of SIPs to choose from for your green home? Depending on your home’s structural requirements, climate, and budget, there are three common choices: EPS (expanded polystyrene); XPS (extruded polystyrene); or Urethane (either polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, with only a slight difference between the two).

All three types of panels create an extremely strong building envelope, are very energy efficient, and provide continuous insulation. EPS panels consist of insulation boards made of small beads of styrene foam that have OSB (Oriented Strand Board, a type of plywood made of smaller ‘chips’ of wood) bonded to either side. EPS panel thickness varies from 4.5” to 10.25” and provides an R-Value from 13 to 35.

XPS panels consist of an extruded styrene foam board with OSB bonded to each side. Panels are typically 4.5” to 8.5” thick and offer an R-Value of 17 to 36. (see photo by Foard Panel).

Urethane panels are made by injecting liquid urethane between two stationary sheets of OSB. While the chemicals mix and expand (taking only minutes), the urethane also bonds itself to the boards. Urethane panels vary in thickness form 4.5” to 6.5” and provide a superior R-Value from approximately 26 to 40, the greatest of the three types. The three types of panels are typically 4’ wide and can be up to 24’ long.

We recommend using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for your new green home or timber frame home. SIPs will help you save on heating and cooling costs (up to 50% compared to traditional fiberglass insulation, according to the Structural Insulated Panel Association), save on installation labor costs, and produce minimal on-site waste. Have more questions about SIPs? Feel free to send us an email or give us a call.

Jackie Lampiasi, Marketing Director

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

The Importance of Ventilation in Structural Insulated Panel Homes

How important is ventilation in a structural insulated panel (SIPs) home?

When considering the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the construction of your new green home, proper mechanical ventilation is required. Ventilation systems provide fresh air circulation throughout the building and exhaust moisture laden and stale air outside.

SIPs create an air-tight and extremely energy efficient building insulation system offering a continuous R-Value throughout the building. Air from outside cannot infiltrate the walls of a SIPs home; therefore, reliance on mechanical ventilation is needed in order to ensure a fresh and abundant supply of healthy air. Maintaining appropriate indoor humidity levels, filtering the air for allergens and air humidification/dehumidification is achieved through a couple of technologies.

An air-to-air exchanger, also called a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV), is most often used to achieve better indoor air quality. The area of the country in which you build your new SIPs, timber frame, or post and beam home will dictate whether an HRV or an ERV system will be installed.

During the air exchange process, fresh, incoming air is either preheated or cooled with outgoing stale air; the two airstreams intersect through the heat exchanger allowing much of the heating or cooling energy to be recovered on the inside of the home.

With the use of SIPs smaller, ‘right-sized’ HVAC equipment may be installed, and the HVAC contractor would install the air exchange systems. HRVs/ERVs are typically sized to ventilate the whole house at a minimum of .35 air changes per hour. In order to calculate the size of the system needed, the square footage of the house (including basement) is multiplied by the height of the ceiling to get the cubic volume, divide by 60 and multiply by .35. It is always important to consult local codes for exact sizing requirements.

For more information about integrating an HRV or ERV system, please visit

www.matrixair.com.

Kimberly Bonin
Executive Project Manager
Bonin Architects & Associates