Structural Insulated Panels - Product Profile

History

The first SIP structure was built in 1935 by the US Forest Products Laboratory. The introduction of an automated panel press and the energy price hikes in the 1970's, made the use of SIPs or sandwich panels more prominent. Product performance and affordability were impacted by the introduction of oriented strand board (OSB) in 1981. Advancements have also been made in the technology of the adhesives used by Enercept.

Today, Enercept SIPs has the technology and capacity to produce 90 - 4'x8' panels per hour.

Builder Benefits

Faster Construction - SIPs combine structural framing, insulation, and sheathing into one step, allowing a builder to frame more projects per year. Framing with SIPs is similar to framing with "Tilt-up" panels. A sill plate is installed, and the insulated panels are "tilted" into place and secured. All window and door openings are done at the factory, complete with 2x framing and headers. The fast enclosure system also extends your building season. We've had several builders quickly frame up a home in the dead of a South Dakota winter and spend the rest of the season finishing the interior.

Less Framing Labor - The pre-built nature of the SIP system requires fewer framers. Today fewer people are choosing building trades as a career, if the trend continues the labor rate for framers will increase. Building with Enercept requires less on site labor - saving you money. Enercept also provides on-site technical training for builders new to SIP construction.

Less job site waste - Another benefit of SIPs is the reduction of job site waste, reducing the cost of waste disposal. Wood products usually account for 35% of job site waste. However, the typical exterior framing waste of an Enercept home can be hauled off in a single 55 gallon container.

Less material theft - Almost every builder has experienced job site material theft. It's much more difficult for panels to grow legs and walk off your job site than it is for lumber to disappear - along with your profit margin.

Fully Customized - SIPs also reduce the margin for framing errors. Each panel is numbered to correspond with a computerized CAD panel blueprint. With the Enercept system, all rough openings are cut and framed at the factory, including structural headers. Panels are built to the engineer's specs, taking the hassle and guesswork out of design and quality control on-site. Maintaining a consistent profit margin becomes easier with SIPs.

Strength - Could your truss roof support a Jeep?

Stick-framing relies on the integrity of a multitude of connection points between 2x's and sheathing. With SIPs, loads are distributed across the entire panel due to the continuous bond between the sheathing and rigid insulation. A structural insulated panel can be compared to an I-beam, with the sheathing acting as flanges and the insulation as the web.

An Enercept home located in the Florida Gulf survived Hurricane Opal in 1995 and was used as a meeting facility for the county rescue team. The same Enercept home along with another in Central Florida also survived the hurricanes of 2004!

Homeowner Benefits

Energy efficiency - by far the biggest benefit of the SIP system. Save 40% to 60% on heating and cooling costs - forever! The perimeter of a SIPs home is wrapped in EPS insulation without the thermal breaks present in 2x framing. Also, EPS insulation maintains its integrity over time, whereas batt insulation settles and absorbs moisture.

The University of Tennesse and the US Deptartment Of Energy compared 5 different building systems for clear-wall R-value verses whole-wall R-value. The test concluded that SIPs maintain 88% of their clear-wall performance after whole-wall R-value is measured, 58% better than 2x6 stick-framing.

Quieter and healthier living environment - EPS insulation is an excellent sound barrier, and the naturally tight construction of a SIP shell helps prevent dust and allergens from penetrating the home. The architect, Charles Redlin, who designed the Redlin Art Center, located in Watertown, SD (pictured here), chose Enercept SIPs to protect the original artworks of artist Terry Redlin.

Because Enercept SIPs are so air tight, installing an air exchanger is always recommended to promote healthier air quality and to control humidity.

No studs to find - Another benefit of a SIP home is the freedom of interior design. You can throw your stud-finder away, since the entire inside is sheathed with 7/16" oriented strand board. Finding a place to support a nail for pictures, curtains, or cabinets isn't a problem. Think how much faster it is to apply sheet rock when you don't have to worry about hitting the studs every time.

Green Product - SIPS are typically composed of OSB and EPS. The OSB is derived from short growth, replaceable tree crops. The EPS insulation contains no CFCs, (chlorofluorocarbons) or formaldehyde. At Enercept, all scrap EPS foam is recycled for reuse. Most Enercept basement panels contain up to 80% recycled foam.

SIPs vs. Conventional Framing

To compare the cost of SIPs to stick-frame construction is not an apples-to-apples comparison. Stick construction cannot compete with the thermal efficiency or superior strength of SIPs. Although the materials-to-materials cost of SIPs may be slightly higher than 2x construction, you must keep in mind that you are actually paying for some framing labor when you purchase our panels. The 50% or greater energy savings quickly recoups any additional investment over the cost of conventional framing. The savings continue even when you sell your home. A study released by the EPA in 1998 revealed that energy efficiency increases the resale value of homes by $20 for every $1 in annual energy cost savings.

As the cost of crude oil continues to rise, and the availablility of fossil fuels continues to decline, the resale value of energy efficient housing will continue to improve.

Enercept vs. Other Panelizers

Enercept offers the MOST FULLY CUSTOMIZED SIPs on the market.

1. Enercept utilizes insulated connecting posts which results in an unbroken thermal shell.

2. Enercept rough openings are factory engineered, cut and framed, further reducing construction time, job site waste, and framing errors. Custom-cut panels eliminate the hassle of panel modification on the job site.

3. Enercept has a patented electrical chase for routing wiring. Enercept has developed a complete Electrical Guide for electricians.

4. Enercept's unique panel press can accommodate panel core thickness from 1" to 14".

5. Enercept is renowned in the SIP industry for our ability to produce panels for even the most difficult designs. We employ an experienced drafting team to assist our customers with their design needs.

6. Enercept can provide an on-site training technician for builders to ensure quality construction and to minimize the learning curve. A detailed Construction Guide and Electrical Guide are issued with every project.

To Learn more about SIPs call Enercept today - 1-800-658-3303