Science
- SIPs yield high-performance building envelopes with energy performance well beyond conventional framing.
- SIPs provide a core of high R-value solid insulation typically requiring no additional continuous insulation on the building exterior.
- Elimination of traditional batt or spray insulations eradicates the installation quality challenges these products create and removes the need for insulation subcontractors.
- The large size of SIPs results in fewer air gaps, reduced thermal bridging from fewer lumber connections (lower framing factor) and elimination of air spaces within the wall cavity.
- SIPs provide a virtually airtight envelope improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and creating healthier homes and businesses. Airtightness also reduces HVAC sizing and dramatically improves occupant comfort by providing consistent room temperatures, regardless of the number of floors.
- A SIP’s thickness determines its insulation R-value, but the greatest gain comes from the tightness of the engineered design and the other high-performance components (HVAC, windows, etc.)
SIP is a sandwich panel which is utilised as structure member such as wall, roof, and floor for concrete structures. SIP varies in different thicknesses of two layers of rigid material as skin and a thicker layer as core. It can be made of various materials based on its application. The core of SIP is usually non-structural and ridged.
It is commonly made of plastic foam such as Extruded Polystyrene and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as well as Polyurethanes (PUR) foam such as polyisocyanurate and polyisosyanate . PUR foam has better performance against fire, flaming, and smoke rating. The SIPs which are made of PUR foam are stronger than the SIPs made of EPS against axial, flexural, and lateral loads.
Injected PUR foam can be easily adhered to all SIP components such as skin material, cam lock, top plates, and electrical boxes. Thus, it allows durable bond between mating surface and the foam. Among the accessible types of PUR, HFC-245fa polyurethane foam allows the best insulation protection for moisture transferring and precise adhesion to the MgO skin. Outer layers are commonly flexible skins that are attached to one or both sides of the core. The skins are adhered to the core by the methods of glue bonding and pressing as well as pouring and injecting liquid foam.
The only reason to use a new technology like SIPs, is if provides significant benefits.
TEC offers differing levels of SIP fabrication. They include blank SIPs, prefabricated SIPs and ready-to-assemble (RTA) packages.
Roof and wall assemblies SIPs are compatible with conventional roof and wall claddings. Unlike traditional framing, there is no internal air cavity within the SIP. The foam core of SIPs is solid and continuous throughout the wall and roof, eliminating convection and condensation issues occurring in conventional cavities. It is important to ensure a code-approved weather-resistive barrier is specified under wall claddings and approved underlayments for roof covering.
Designing for the appropriate climate zone will help maximize durability. In some climate zones, a back-ventilated assembly may be appropriate. Because SIPs use very little solid lumber, an increased fastener schedule could be required when attaching exterior cladding. Application of fully adhered products to SIPs roofs is not recommended. A separation layer should be added between the SIP roof and underlayment to avoid damage to the exterior SIP facing should there be a need to remove and replace the underlayment in the future.