Homeowners purchasing homes built with SIPs may qualify for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). These special mortgages allow debt to income ratios to be stretched when purchasing an energy efficient home. Homeowners can also qualify for state and federal tax incentives, to find out about these tax incentives, check out www.dsireusa.org.
The Fourth Little Pig Built his House with SIPs
By Eric Simonsen, Nordic Custom Distributors, LLC
You've seen a house being built. Carpenters hammer together the framing of 2x6 studs, the outside is sheeted in and the building insulated with fiberglass batts… Then what is that crane doing on the jobsite, installing entire walls and roof systems of prebuilt structural insulated panels? It looks like old-style house framing is going the way of the cathode ray tube and the telephone land line, and being replaced by Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This technology is stronger, less wasteful and more environmentally sustainable than the old framing methods. SIPs are ideal because they create a high performance thermal envelope in the building of walls, floors, and roofs. Made up of structural OSB skins with foam pressed or injected in between, SIPs provide an extremely strong structure and create a versatile building component for walls, floors, and roofs.
The skins of SIPs are made out of OSB (oriented strand board) which is made from sustainably harvested trees used specifically for OSB. The wood from these trees grows quickly and comes from such species as aspen poplar, southern yellow pine and mixed hardwood. Some SIP companies offer FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified OSB upon request. SIP's insulation is usually made with EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam and is 100% recyclable with a stable R value of over R4 per inch. It contains no chloroflurocarbs (CFCs), hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs) and almost immeasurable amounts formaldehyde (.07- .10ppm). All of these benefits combined create superior indoor air quality and a more environmentally responsible structure. Builders ultimately gain from using fewer natural resources in the building process.
Many local architects and engineers are specifying SIPs for their projects. Using SIPs allows for endless design options for residential and commercial building projects. SIPs will withstand all weather conditions better than traditional framing methods. Many contractors are starting to see the benefits of building with SIPs; as well, many energy raters recommend SIPs to gain valuable points in green certifications for their projects.
SIPs offer faster installations (which often results in shorter construction loans, saving you money), quicker dry-in times, and reduced framing waste, with pre-cut, roof, wall, and floor panels. SIPs are made in factories using automated systems for increased accuracy, which also reduces material waste. These pre-cut panels arrive at the job site ready to be installed which saves on labor. Contractors using SIPs will see up to 60% less job site framing lumber waste and a 60% higher whole-wall efficiency achieved over 2x6 R19 construction. With the reduction of framing members comes the reduction of thermal bridging, saving the homeowner money and creating a more comfortable indoor environment. HVAC contractors will be able to design heating and cooling systems up to 40% smaller because of SIP's superior and predictable performance. Building with SIPs creates a stronger structure than one built with traditional lumber framing. Reinforced, straighter walls, floors and roofs that don't bow, bend or warp equate to reduced builder callbacks by up to fifty percent.
The stronger structure of SIPs protect better against storms, insects, earthquakes, and snow loads. The quiet, comfortable interior means savings of up to 60% in heating and cooling. Furthermore, resale values can increase due to the attractiveness of an efficient and environmentally friendly construction. SIPs are better for the builder, better for the homeowner and better for the planet.
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