Many competing construction methods, both traditional and newer alternative construction products can be used in building structures today. In the following table, compare the advantages and disadvantages of each of the primary methods, by category, within the range of products supplied by SIPs Systems.

 

FOUNDATIONS

 
SIPs Systems, . supplies various types of foundation building panels depending upon the individual customer needs. These lude:

Basements

SIPs Systems' basement panels are 11 1/4' thick with the exterior side sheathed with 3/4" exterior grade treated plywood.  The basement panels are engineered to withstand the hydrostatic pressure of 8' of  wet clay, what many consider a "worst case" building scenario.  The exterior sheathing is then wrapped in the field with SIPs supplied DELTA MS water-barrier.  SIPs basement panels are 109 1/2" in height and are typically double top-plated.  The Dietrich "Trade Ready" steel floor construction is constructed within the basement wall structure.  The result is stronger construction, 8' finished ceiling height in the basement and minimal heat loss through the "band" joist.

Crawl Space

SIPs Systems' crawl space panels are 7 1/4" thick with the exterior sheathed in 1/2" exterior grade plywood.  DELTA MS water-barrier is used to cover the exterior.  The Dietrich "Trade Ready" steel floor system is constructed within the crawl space wall structure resulting in stronger construction.  Crawl space panel heights vary by the job but are typically 3' to 4'.

Shallow Footer

SIPs Systems was one of the first providers of a panelized system for a frost-protected shallow footers when such footers were first allowed in CABO 1995.  This type of footer allows for a significantly shallower footer than is normally called for because of the insulating qualities of the footer construction.  Call one of our specialists to determine if this is appropriate for your situation.

Other Foundations

SIPs Systems' upper-level panels are compatible with other foundation types such as concrete block walls, pre-cast concrete or poured-in-place concrete walls.

Water Barrier

SIPs Systems, . below grade foundation panels are compatible with most types of water-barrier materials. One of the ones we’ve found to be most effective is the DELTA MS water-barrier by Cosella-Dorken, which is supplied with all SIPs basement panels.

 

 
    Advantages   Disadvantages
 
SIPs Systems   Highest R- Value.

Fast Panelized walls.

Not weather dependent.

Low installed cost.

No settling or cracking.
  Higher brick facing installation costs.

Not designed for mid-hillside installation.
 
Poured Concrete   Lowest Installed Cost

Broad range of wall sizes and strengths.
  Subject to cracks, voids and
settling.

Subject to dampness and leakage.

Poor R-value without additional insulation.

Weather dependent during installation.
 
Concrete Block  

Lower Installed Cost

Broad range of wall sizes and strengths.

  Subject to dampness and leakage.

Poor R-value without additional insulation.

Weather dependent during installation.
 
Insulated Concrete Forms(ICFs)   Commodity product.

Broad range of wall sizes and strengths.

Less subject to cracks and leakage than other concrete methods.

Electrical wiring must be in conduit.
  Subject to cold joints.

Highest installed cost.

Moderate R- Value.

Weather dependent during installation.
 
Pre-Cast Concrete Walls   Not weather dependent during installation.

Faster installation because it's panelized.

No settling or cracking.
  Unable to set joist into foundation box for energy efficiency.

Higher installed cost.

Poor R-value without additional insulation.
 
Other SIPs Systems   None.   Does not compete.
 
Steel Framing   None.   Does not compete.
 
Wood Framing   None.   Does not compete.
 

Exterior Walls

 

Standard SIPs Systems' exterior wall panels are 7 1/4"thick. Other thickness sizes are available specific to an individual customer needs. All window and door openings, and associated headers, are built into the SIPs panels at the factory. Further, an electrical chase is factory routed into each wall panel.

In most cases it is not necessary to use exterior sheathing, however, all panels should be wrapped in the field with house wrap as a good building practice.

Wall panels are custom made specific to each structure's architectural plans. Lengths may vary from 3" to 40' or more, and while panel heights of 8', 9', and 10' are standard, SIPs will build wall heights of any size to suit your needs. Curved walls are also available as part of our standard panel offering.

All types of exterior finishes; aluminum siding, brick, cedar shake, metal siding, stone, stucco, vinyl or wood siding are compatible with the SIPs panelized wall system.

Gable Panels

Typically SIPs gable wall panels are the same thickness as the exterior walls below them. All necessary structural support for roof load beams, and any openings are orporated into them.

Common Wall Panels

Common wall between units in multi-family housing are another example of where SIPs's panelized building system can meet your specific design needs and save you time and money.

Tilt-Up Panels

Primarily used in constructing commercial buildings SIPs's tilt-up wall panels are constructed in the same manner as their other wall panels. However, for these panels an 8' width is standard and heights to 26' available.

 

SIPs Systems   Highest R- Value.

Fast Panelized walls.

Not weather dependent.

Low installed cost.

Most flexible method.

  Newer system.
 
Wood Framing   Known historical costs.

Known techniques.

Can be panelized.
  Subject to price swings.

Labor intensive.

Quality suspect as wood shrinks and warps.

Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation.
 
Steel Framing   Comparable cost to wood.

Higher quality than wood.

Can be panelized.

  Lack of experienced framers.

Labor intensive.

Greater thermal transfer.

Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation.

 
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)   Commodity product.

Broad range of wall sizes and strengths.

Strength.

Electrical wiring must be in
conduit.

  Subject to cold joints.

Highest installed cost.

Moderate R- Value.

Weather dependent during installation.

 
Other SIPs Systems   Higher R-Values.

Insulation luded.

Faster installation because
it's panelized.

  Labor intensive.

Not easily changed in field.

Higher installed cost.

 
Concrete Block   Broad range of wall sizes and strengths.   High installed costs.

Slowest construction method.
Poor R-value without additional insulation.


Weather dependent during installation.

 
Poured Concrete   None.   Does not compete.
 
Pre-Cast Concrete Walls   None.   Does not compete.
 
 

ROOF FRAMING

 

Roof panels by SIPs Systems, . are 4’ wide and 12” thick and up to 36’ long. They
are supported by ridge and purlin (mid-span) glue laminated beams. Alternatively steel beams, bar joists, or tube steel may be used depending upon the clear spans required by your architectural design. Gable, Hip, Mansard, Arched and Flat roofs can all be constructed using SIPs Systems’ roof panels.

By design all SIPs Systems’ roofs are vaulted in the interior. The vaulted area can be left vaulted and showcase the expansiveness of your rooms or a floor can be constructed within to create a loft area thereby reasing square footage of living space within the same sized envelope.

Skylights and dormers are easily orporated into SIPs roofs.

 

SIPs Systems   Highest R- Value.

Insulation luded.

Faster installation because it's panelized.

Vaulted ceilings standard.

Low installed cost.

Most flexible method.

  Newer system.
 
Wood Framing   Known historical costs.

Known techniques.

Trusses can be pre-made.

  Subject to price swings.

Labor intensive.

Vaulted ceilings at extra cost.

Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation.

 
Steel Framing   Comparable cost to wood.

Higher quality than wood.

  Lack of experienced framers.

Labor intensive.

Greater thermal transfer.

Must be combined with lower R- value insulation in secondary installation.

Vaulted ceilings at extra cost.

 
Other SIPs Systems   Higher R-Values.

Insulation luded.

Faster installation because it's panelized.

Sheathing luded.

  Labor intensive.

Not easily changed in field.

De-lamination problems.

Higher installed cost.

 
Poured Concrete   None.   Does not compete.
 
Concrete Block   None.   Does not compete.
 
Pre-Cast Concrete Walls   None.   Does not compete.
 
Insulated Concrete Forms   None.   Does not compete.