Building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): Strength and Energy Efficiency Through Structural Panel Construction

by Michael Morley

Book Overview

Within the decade, it is estimated that as much as one-third of residential construction will use structural insulated panels, or SIPs. These energy-efficient building panels are among the strongest,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561583510
• ISBN13: 9781561583515
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Taunton Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Simpler, stronger, faster building method

Many people have swung a hammer, but I have participated in remodeling and new home construction. Frankly, it bothers me to laboriously assemble each wall, then add trusses and rafters, and sheath the whole thing. Insulating after this can be a repetitive process (not to mention itchy). I have wondered how to simplify home construction. SIPs are the solution. Structural outer sheets of wood bonded to Insulation with another Panel of wood inside. There! The whole thing can be positioned in a bed of adhesive to form a small or large section of wall. Slightly longer and thicker panels form roofs with vaulted ceilings below. Factories can preform SIPs with electical wire recesses and window openings. Just follow the blueprints, use a crane for the heavier pieces, and the book claims homes can be closed up in 4 days. They are going to be more wind resistant, quieter, and energy efficient. This book covers introduction, history, and current state of art. The author is an experienced home-contractor and is enthusiastic enough to reveal the brand names of his most useful powertools (and how to use them), the factories he is familiar with, and the back of book lists resources for experienced SIP architects, manufacturers of SIPs, and tools. It is not quite a how-to manual; that must come from the manufacturer of the specific panels. But I feel confident that I could deal with an experienced architect who wanted to use SIPs to create a beautiful home for me (and I would spend all my free time helping the crew!) The pictures are highest quality, too.

an excellent source for hard to find information

this book provides a thorough and well detailed look at SIP anatomy and construction techniques. information on this construction type is extremely difficult to find from sources other than (possibly biased or glossed-over) information from SIP manufacturers. the content covers so many details of its construction that it could concievably be used as a primer/manual/textbook for contractors or others interested in using this construction type. any information needed to supplement the information found here will most likely be so specific that it will be material related to a particular manufacturer's product or information gleaned directly from materials testing reports. i have looked extensively, and not been able to find, any materials on SIPs that could compare to the value of this source.

Answered my questions

I have been considering building a home on a piece of property I own for the better part of a year now. I'm a fan of SIPs due to energy efficiency and the perception I have of their ability to withstand the harsh climate of south Texas. It helps that the best home I've ever owned (and I've owned more than ten) was a panelized home but on a wood foundation that I purchased in Minnesota 15 years ago. The house was solid, energy efficient and better built than anything any of the many site built stick homes I owned before and since. I've tracked down a variety of sources of information on SIPS including most information readily available on the web. This book has been an essential tool for me, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone considering building with SIPs. It addresses all of the common objections and misperceptions (and there are many), and it does so in a methodical and comprehensive manner. I can see where some folks might consider that to be promotional, but I believe there is still a stigma to panelized construction, at least in the minds of a large segment of the population, so perhaps it's appropriate that a little promotion or cheerleading is included. It also addresses a number of practical considerations you'll have when building, such as electrical, plumbing and hvac considerations. It's not a manual, but I wasn't looking for a manual. After reading it, I feel that I will be better able to find and work with a builder and accomplish my goal...to build a quality, affordable house that is structurally superior, energy efficient and will last the rest of my life. Most importantly, I have yet to find another source on the subject that provides so much information with so little effort. As a result, it gets five stars.

Just what I was looking for

This book filled every expectation and more. I am a builder looking to possibly transition to SIPs. This book answered all my questions and some I hadn't thought of yet. If you are a builder looking to start using SIPs, buy this book.

Comprehensive new book to cover emerging building technology

While SIPs have been arround for 60 years, the author believes the time is now for explosive growth of this technique for residential and commercial buildings. The book covers all steps in the fabrication and assembly of SIP panels and buildings in a way that isn't overly technical. The emphasis is for professionals, and indeed SIPs present a challenge to the do-it yourselfer since some of the panel elements are so large a crane or forklift is essential. SIP building as presented, however, seems very simple, and otherwise suited to self-builders. In essense each panel when complete can stand in for many other elements: the studs, plates, the sheating , insulation, vapour barrier, fasteners, plumbing and electrical chases, and interior rough or finished surfaces. The book gives lots of information on different SIP types, and tools.The book covers structural panels almost exclusively, in other words the simmilar panels used for timber frames etc..., which are not load-bearing are addressed, but are not the subject of this book.My only dissappointment is that as an amateur builder the book doesn't deal with that aspect of the subject at all. The field is relatively unfriedly to non-commercial participants. SIPs are relatively hard to find in small quantities, and even though the process is simpler that stud building, for instance, they don't want to deal with you but your architect. Not the book's fault.The author seems a sincere advocate for SIPs, if at times a little closed to other alternatives, which would present less of a cultural, financial, or technical barrier to the average buyer or user. I'd like to believe him, but so far SIPs haven't made an appearance at the local Home Depot. Most people have hammered a nail into a 2x4, but your going to have to buy into this system sight unseen, unless the SIP industry gets a little more democratic about its distribution.This book was probably a three star or four star effort for me, given my focus, but fully five star for the intended audience: Contractors stepping up to the system for the first time.