sip wall Panels

SIP wall panels - also known as foam-core panels, structural foam panels, Structural Insulated Panels and Sandwich panels - are an alternative to traditional construction materials for walls (and also for ceilings and floors) namely in stick-frame/wood-frame construction.

One single element

SIPs are large engineered building panels for walls, floors and roofs. SIPs provide framing, insulation and sheathing in a single panel. SIP walls can be erected in just some few days.

While wood-frame technology involves framing, insulating and sheathing materials, SIP construction involves pre-engineered and pre-manufactured panels that provide all those three elements.

OBS and Fiber-Cement SIPs

We can distinguish two main types of SIP panels: OSB fiber-cement...

OSB SIP panels include a rigid foam core sandwiched between two layers of plywood or engineered wood (OSB: Oriented Strand Board).

fiber-cement SIPs (or Cementitious) differ from the OSB SIP panels in their exterior layers, which are - as their name suggests - from fiber-cement and cellulose.

The core

SIP wall panels core is typically made of a thick layer of polystyrene or polyurethane foam, but there are some SIP made of proprietary materials (wheat straw and other agricultural fibers...).

Fiber-cement SIP vs OSB siP

Fiber-cement (cementitious) SIP wall panels are as energy-efficient, as airtight and as fully insulated as the OSB SIP, with some important advantages: they do not rot, are mold-growth free, have a very high fire-rating, the best condensation and moisture resistance, and may not require drywall...

As expected, fiber-cement SIPs have a major disadvantage: the cost.

Fiber-Cement SIP Applications

Since fiber-cement SIP wall panels offer superior strength and resistance to condensation, fire, etc., they are largely preferable in basement walls, foundations and other more demanding building structures, where OBS SIP panels are less reliable.

SIP Wall panels dimensions

Most SIP wall panels (either OBS or fiber-cement) are 4 to 24 feet (1,2 - 7,3m) wide and 8 or 9 feet (2,4 or 2,7m) high.

Typical SIP wall panels accept 2 x 4 bottom and top plates.

Panel lengths can vary up to 24 ft (7,3m) to accommodate higher ceilings and roof spans.

Thickness vary a lot. Up to 12 inches thick panels are common. Standard thickness varies from 4 ½ " to 6 ½" (11,5 - 16,5 cm). Obviously, thicker panels provide greater insulation, which is very important.

Besides the rectangular-box designs, built with standard SIP panels, some manufacturers are now also offering customized types of panels (to build curved walls and other architectural features).