What Makes SIPs So Energy Efficient

Standard Wall Construction

When you look at the anatomy of a standard stud wall, its very nature lends it to numerous energy loss issues. Every 16" or 24 "wood stud is used to provide vertical support. These wood studs offer a very low r-value and create cold spots. Fiberglass insulation is difficult to install perfectly and will have leaks or voids, causing additional energy loss. The outside OSB joint is another area where voids cause energy loss through air infiltration causing higher heating and cooling costs. This construction method is energy efficiently outdated.

Standard Wall Thermal Scan

This thermal scan shows that the lighter pink color illustrates more energy loss. Also, notice the wood used has even higher heat loss.

SIPs Wall Construction

Structural Insulated Panels provide an incredibly strong structure and a very high-performance energy efficient system. SIPs use the concept of continuous insulation to provide a very high R-value wall system. Where two panels come together and connect, SIPs construction uses specialty sealants to stop air and moisture infiltration. No other High-Performance Wall System can be done as economically and as fast or easily as a SIPS wall system. Independent Blower Door testing has and will confirm those results.

SIPs Wall Thermal Scan

The dark blue shows little energy loss from the SIPs. Notice the windows, as you would expect, have energy loss.

SIPs walls dominate because they have Continuous Insulation and a Monolithic Solutions

Whole Wall R-Value

Standard Wall Construction

When evaluating a wall's R-value, the entire wall system has to be looked at to get its proper R-value rating. The green circle indicates were the fiberglass under perfect conditions is R-13, yet the stud provides an R-2.3. All the elements are calculated to get an accurate and reliable R-value, known as Whole Wall R-value.

Compare 2" x 4" Walls

A 4" SIPs Wall provide 40% more R-value than a standard 4' stick framed wall.

SIPs Wall Construction

SIPs have greater foam insulation coverage that provides a higher R-value, giving the whole wall system a higher R-value. Wood Studs are not required 16" on center. In addition, Foam insulation is not dependent, like fiberglass, on the installer, not creating voids. EPS Foam insulation is always the best and most consistent R-value insulation.

Compare 2" x 6" Walls

A 6" SIPs Wall provide 60% more R-value than a standard 6" stick framed wall.

SIPs walls have 40% - 60% more R-Value than Standard Stick Framed Walls

Air Leakage Control

Air leaks can lower energy efficiency dramatically. Air leaking in is called "Air Infiltration." The US Department of Energy estimates that 20 - 30 percent of heating and cooling costs directly result from air leakage. Additionally, air infiltration can create several issues for the occupant, which can include:

Condensation and structural rot
Mold, mildew and other harmful allergens
Outside pollution or effluviums
Amplified sound intrusion
Added utility expense
Breathing problems or other health issues

Air Control Standard Wall Construction

Below is a photo of standard wall construction taken with an infrared camera showing the air leakage at the floor and the corner. (M1) By its very nature, standard stick construction leaks air and is not energy efficient. Many contractors try to make it more energy efficient, but this construction is doomed from the start. .

Air Infiltration Stick Construction

At 50 pascals of negative pressure, the standard stick built room leaked 126 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).

Air Control SIPs Wall Construction

SIPs have very few issues with air leakage because of the way they are put together. Each joint has a special sealant that helps eliminate air leakage. The panel has very little to zero air leakage as it has 2 continuous sheets of OSB/Plywood. Blower door testing has shown SIPs to be the highest system available.

Air Infiltration SIPs Construction

At 50 pascals of negative pressure, the SIPs built room leaked 9 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).

Testing Shows Standard Stick Built Construction Leaks 90% More Than SIPS.

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Get SIPS is an organization with the goal of educating home and building owners, architects and contractors on the wonderful benefits of Structural Insulated Panels.