Panel Homes

Frequently Asked Questions 

 Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

A Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) is a value-added pre-fabricated building panel that incorporates the structure, insulation, and sheathing all combined to reduce the labor and number of steps in a building envelope.

SIPs are comprised of APA rated OSB facers adhesively bonded to UL certified expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation cores.

Panels are available in various sizes such as 4'x8', 8x12, 8'x24', etc. and can be factory fabricated to be site-erected quickly- reducing weather related delays, vandalism, and to speed project completion.

Panel thicknesses range from 4 9/16" (R-16) to 12 9/16" (R-45) to meet insulation and structural requirements.

SIPs have been used as roofs, exterior walls, and floors in virtually all building types- residential, religious, fast food, educational, and commercial.

SIP buildings are more energy efficient, stronger, quieter, and more draft free than other building systems, such as stud framing with fiberglass insulation. Rigid insulation is used as solid component insulation in almost every industry for its inherent efficiency and lack of air movement. These attributes are built right into a SIP building. and provide a much more comfortable indoor environment.

Facts About Panelized Home

• Panelization, the most widely-used form of systems-building, refers to a construction method where housing components are prefabricated in a climate-controlled facility before being shipped to a home site.
• A majority of today’s production and portfolio builders use factory-made floor and roof trusses, the most commonly known form of panelization.
• Component panel types include simple pre-cut floor and roof trusses and strong and efficient structural insulated panels (SIPs).
• Geodesic domes, the highly energy-efficient housing pioneered by Bukminster Fuller are constructed of hundreds of triangular panels. The National Dome Council is part of the BSC’s Panelized Council.
• A BSC study, in conjunction with the Wood Truss Council of American, found that construction of a 2,600 sq. ft. home with trusses and panels used 26% less lumber, generated 76% less waste, and was constructed in just 37% of the man hours of a similar, stick-built home.