For those of us who think “green,” there are energy-efficient products for constructing walls and roofs that reduce valuable wood usage and provide overall reductions in heating and cooling costs. For a while now, builders have found that roofs of recycled steel or aluminum provide energy efficiency and durability. And engineered lumber with low formaldehyde content for framing and shingles from recycled sawdust and cement provide great options to building non-sustainable roofing.
Austin Energy
Now companies are selling Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for use in walls, supports, and especially on roofing to help contain lumber costs in framing and build-in energy conservation properties. SIPs, by the way, can reduce the total amount of materials used in framing.
Have a SIP
According to the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), the materials used to create insulated panels—foam and strand board—require less energy to produce, and result in reduced waste in roofing materials so common at construction sites. The creation of SIPs uses a quarter less energy to produce than other products that offer a similar excellent R-value when in use.
SIP products are also said to provide greater air-tight insulation, improving indoor air quality in the process. But that also means, you have to provide excellent sources of ventilation by doors, windows, or fans.
The Federal Energy Savers website reports that, installed correctly, SIPs provide an overall energy savings between 12 and 14 percent. Over the course of your home’s lifetime, SIPS can save much more energy than the amount of petroleum used to create the panel. Even better, SIPs don’t delaminate.
Making New Green Roofing Materials
SIPs are typically made of polystyrene or polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane derivative cores, sandwiched between fiber cement or plywood. They can also have compressed insulating cores made of straw. The factory-made SIP panels come in a range of sizes, shipped from the factory, and some include complete installation kits from the manufacturer.
You can also add additional green to your roof by using recycled newsprint for your roof decking. SIPS, employed in framing, are said to be better able to withstand high winds or seismic events. Green roofs are included in home improvement projects that apply towards a federal tax credit of $1,500. You have to buy materials and complete the roofing project by the end of 2010.
Super informative article, why aren’t all houses in development using this? Is it a demographic issue because it certainly doesn’t look like a price issue, sounds cheaper than normal roof material…
Reggie..the main reason good ideas and products are not used regularly in housing developments is that “it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks”. Most contractors and builders do things the way that they have always been done…..
SIPS panels are the best product out there for enclosing a timber frame. Although I have never used them on a “regular house”, I believe in this product and love working with them!
How do SIPS compare with the insulated panels that you pour concrete into? There is something about a concrete wall that seems appealing to me. Has anyone used these?
I agree Rich, we just completed a giant timber frame(7500 sq.ft.) using recycled doug fir timbers, we then enclosed the whole thing with SIPS. The panels are great because it allows the whole frame to be exposed on the inside.
Thanks for sharing this post! It is great that the SIPs are able to save you 12-14% more on energy. Very interesting.
I really enjoyed this article on SIPs. What a great green alternative. Thanks for the information!
[...] A reporter for The Los Angeles Times believes that most of the talk on high-percentage efficiency has been focused on new buildings, with historical structures getting a temporary time out. Often the energy requirements of a restored historical home depend on reducing the energy load for the home first, then determining energy solutions to power the load such as green roofing. [...]
Good article. In good times or bad, it’s always a positive move to fix what’s broken in your home. I have used econtractorbids.com for quite a while now, which makes it easy to find a contractor.
Much better energy savings than 12-14% has been recorded in a SIPS home–1,800 sq ft home in Wilmington, NC- 10 month period in ‘09–$61.60 average energy bill
For you folks that are considering building a SIPS home–there are many SIPS manufacturers out there–not all are reputable–read your “proposals” carefully–for “options” and included items. Proposals can be anywhere from 2 to 6 pages long–read every line. “lumber” might be a one line option- makes the proposal price look very appealing but can be very expensive down the road. “setbacks” and window and door framing –the same thing. Freight needs to be included in the cost- not a “pay the freight Company” listed item. It is very hard to compare “apples to apples” when receiving multiple proposals from different Companies–the lowest price is not necessarily the best deal. There are “Companies” that have taken a customers initial payment and disappeared
Does anyone know of a reliable and honest company that can make and install sip panels in OKC on a post and beam home? I would never use Thermocore as they are the lowest form of beings on the planet. They are rude dishonest and do not stand behind there word ! Buyer beware
Thanks for posting this. A lot of great info in the post. I may have to come back later to read it over again. Green roofing will eventually become the standard within the next 10 years.
For technical information and the latest in manufacturing processes contact SIPS Texas at http://www.sipstexas.com or call 830.792.5050