Does anyone have any experience in bilding with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)? In the area I want to build in, I can’t find any builders who are familiar with this new concept in building. I’ve only read about them, and they seem to have graet advantages, but how can I as a potential new-home owner get a house built this way when no one around has any experience with them.
The real questions: would you recommend SIPs, and would you recommend I use a builder who is interested but has no experience with them? Any brand recommended?
Thanks in advance.
Steve in Va.
Replies
Steve,
Check first with SIP suppliers in your area. They will know who installs their product better than anyone. Many SIP suppliers will also train a crew if you have a builder interested but inexperienced.
There will probably be a premium tacked on to any bid from a contractor trying this out for the first time and rightly so. It takes a little while to get familiar with the product and to learn to install SIPs efficiently. Once the builder gets past the learning curve however, SIPs are very easy to work with.
Here are a couple of links you will probably find helpful:
http://www.sipweb.com/
The best OSB SIP made: (This is what I am currently building with)
http://www.r-control.com/
An attractive alternative to OSB faced SIPs: (This is probably what I will build with if I ever do another SIP house)
http://www.thermasteelpanels.com/
The search feature on this forum is pretty lame but try it anyway. SIPs have been discussed here a lot lately.
Good Luck!
Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -