Structural Insulated Panels - Self Build

The construction industry has used Structural Insulated Panels  (SIPs) for years, but it's now filtering into the self-build market too

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), are constructed offsite and lead to a reduction in the amount of time on site.

They speed up the construction process and provide good  strength and high levels of insulation.

SIPs are prefabricated panels of OSB (oriented strand board) that form a sandwich with a filling of insulation. Window shapes can be cut out to order off-site and the panels can be used for floor and roof  too

Once erected, work can begin straightaway on internal fitting out even before the exterior is complete.  Another benefit is the creation of additional warm living space in the roof by eliminating conventional trusses.

SIPs  are manufactured by injecting CFC free Polyurethane foam (PUR) in between two skins of Oriented Strand Board (OSB3) in a hydraulic press. The resultant panel is lightweight but incredibly strong.

Structural Insulated Panels can form the structural shell of a building, which can then be finished with conventional materials, or they can be used as an insulated envelope over an Oak Frame structure, or indeed as infill panels to steel or timber structures.