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 What are ACME structural insulated panels? Click to view answer.
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are high performance building panels used in floors, walls, and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings. The panels are typically made by sandwiching a core of rigid foam plastic insulation between two structural skins of oriented strand board (OSB). Other skin material can be used for specific purposes. SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and can be custom designed for each home. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy efficient, and cost effective that replaces traditional framing, insulation, and sheeting. Building with SIPs will save you time, money, and labor.
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We would be happy to answer any questions you have during the design phase. The construction of a SIP home or commercial building begins with the construction documents. Once the construction documents are in our hands, they are converted to SIP shop drawings that give the dimensions of each individual panel needed to complete the job. A work order and contract are generated and sent with the shop drawings to the builder, the building owner, and other involved parties for review. Once the work order and contract are finalized, the SIPs are fabricated and shipped to the jobsite for installation.
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R-values for
SIPs depend on the thickness of the SIP. See our
R-value comparison for the minimum R-values by SIP size. Static R-values, like
those included in the chart, rate the effectiveness of insulating material.
However, they do not accurately describe how products perform in a real
world setting. When fiberglass or other types of insulation are installed,
they are installed around structural members made of wood or metal which
have a very poor insulating value. Field-installed insulation materials
are also prone to installation imperfections. The Department of Energy’s
Oak Ridge National Laboratory has studied and tested the performance of
entire wall assemblies in large sections. The resulting whole-wall R-value
data reveals that a 4.5” SIP wall rated at R-14 outperformed a 2”x6”
wall with R-19 fiberglass insulation.
How much money can I save with structural
insulated panels? Click to view answer.
Homeowners can
save money through decreased construction and labor costs. A recent
study conducted by the R.S. Means unit of Reed Construction Data shows
that building with SIPs can reduce framing labor needs by as much as 55% over conventional wood framing. The superior whole wall R-values
and building tightness capable with SIPs allow HVAC equipment to be downsized
and ductwork to be minimized. Homeowners that
incorporate other energy efficient features with SIP construction can
benefit from the energy efficiency of a SIP home with reductions in heating
and cooling costs of 50% or more as well as possibly qualify for
energy efficient mortgages and enjoy a higher appraised value.
How green are structural insulated panels?
Click to view answer.
Energy efficient
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%. 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.
How much do structural insulated panels
cost? 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. Add % energy saved over fiberglass insulation. Add % less wood used by OSB over traditional framing. Waste minimization Since SIPs are prefabricated in the factory, there is less jobsite waste that needs to be landfilled. Factory fabrication is done using optimization software, and we recycle factory scrap to make other foam products. Click to view answer.
See our Products
and Pricing page. When comparing prices, remember that the material
price does not reflect the other savings in labor, lifetime energy costs,
or HVAC systems. When all these factors are considered, building with SIPs
is usually less expensive than other building systems.
How do structural insulated panels improve
indoor air quality? Click to view answer.
The tightness
of the SIP building envelope prevents air from gaining access to the interior
of the home except in controlled amounts. A controlled indoor environment
is both healthy and comfortable. Humidity can be controlled more easily
in a SIP home resulting in a home that is more comfortable for occupants
and less prone to mold growth and dust mites.
Do structural insulated panels block sound
transmission? Click to view answer.
The sound
resistance of a SIP wall depends on the thickness of the gypsum drywall
applied, the exterior finish applied, and the thickness of the insulating
foam core that is used. SIPs are especially effective at blocking high
frequency noise, and most homeowners notice the quiet comfort of a SIP
home.
Are structural insulated panels susceptible
to insects? Click to view answer.
No more than
traditional framing. Although termites do not feed on the foam panel cores,
there have been instances in which panel cores have been hollowed out
by these insects and used as a nesting ground. Many manufacturers offer
SIPs with borate-treated foam to provide termite resistance. Termites
may also be deterred through the use of a specifically designed steel
mesh. Both these treatments are highly effective, but they are not a substitute
for careful termite prevention and maintenance, as with any other wood
structure.
Are structural insulated panels susceptible
to mold and mildew? Click to view answer.
An airtight
SIP building envelope forms the basis of a successful mold control strategy.
The extremely low levels of air infiltration in SIP buildings allow for
incoming air to be provided in controlled amounts by air handling equipment.
Proper dehumidification of incoming air following ASHRAE standards will
create an environment where mold physically cannot grow. In addition
to creating an airtight structure, SIPs are solid and free of any cavities
in the wall where moisture can condense and cause unseen mold growth.
Can structural insulated panels be replaced
or repaired if damaged? Click to view answer.
If panels are damaged, a structural engineer needs to assess the damage to determine what is cosmetic and what is structural. If the damage is only cosmetic, then the source of the problem must be determined and fixed, whether it is from inside or outside. If the damage is structural, then the source of the problem must be identified and a structural solution to the problem must be found. That can be done by either a site modification of the panels or replacement of the panels, depending on the extent of the damage. In the event that panels are damaged, the manufacturer and installer of the panels should be notified. There are SIPA members who can act as a consultant to assess the damage and recommend repair or replacement strategies. Click to view answer.
Some roofing
manufacturers warranty asphalt shingles over unvented SIP roofs,
while others void their warranty because of higher shingle temperatures.
Research conducted by Building Science Corporation reveals that although
asphalt shingle temperatures increase slightly (2o - 3o F) in an
unvented roof assembly, the color of the shingles and the roof orientation
have a much more profound impact on the durability of shingles. According
to the Builder’s Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) published
by Building Science Corporation, the typical reduction of shingle life
over an unvented SIP roof assembly is between one and two years. Builders
seeking to comply with roofing manufacturer warranties can choose from
a variety of more durable, non-asphalt roofing materials or provide a
venting space between the SIP roof panels and the roofing material (known
as a “cold roof”).
Does a building with a structural insulated
panel roof need to be ventilated? Click to view answer.
The area
inside a SIP building envelope is considered conditioned space and will
be ventilated by the building’s HVAC system. There is no need to
provide a vented attic beneath a SIP roof, and doing so would compromise
the conditioned space of the building. Research conducted by Building
Science Corporation on test homes in hot climates demonstrates that including
the attic in the conditioned space allowed for more energy-efficient space
conditioning and less probability of moisture related issues. [Rudd, Armin
and Joseph Lstiburek, Vented and Sealed Attics in Hot Climates. Building
Science Press, 1998] Some building science experts, such as Building
Science Corporation Principal Joe Lstiburek, have advocated venting the
roof by providing an air space between the SIP roof panels and the roofing
material (known as a “cold roof”). This practice is not a
requirement for SIP buildings, but an extra measure to improve the durability
and moisture resistance of the building.
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