What are SIPs?
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) combine OSB/3 and a rigid PUR insulation core to deliver structure and thermal performance in one system. Manufactured offsite, SIPs form a fabric-first superstructure that installs quickly and efficiently with reduced waste.
What are SIPs?
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are composite panels made up of two sheets of OSB/3 (oriented strand board) which sandwich a rigid thermoset polyurethane (PUR) insulation core, forming an autohesive bond. The OSB/3 provides rigidity and strength, while the PUR provides insulation.
Other insulants such as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are also used; however, these SIP panels require additional adhesive to bond the insulation sheets to the OSB and are not as thermally efficient as PUR.
SIPs are a fabric-first approach which integrates with a number of different building systems to provide a full superstructure. This can include intermediate floors, internal walls, roofs and additional structure such as steel or glulam.
SIPs are manufactured under factory-controlled conditions to exacting quality-controlled standards (QC). Offsite fabrication means your weatherproof superstructure can be completed just days after the ground floor slabs are ready to receive them.
SIP Build UK panels are available in five thicknesses: 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm and 225mm. Panels are typically 1200mm wide and can be manufactured up to 7.5 metres in length to suit individual project requirements.
SIPs are fabricated using timber from sustainable sources. They use less timber than traditional timber frame systems and are one of the most economical and eco-friendly forms of construction. The OSB facings are responsibly sourced (PEFC or FSC), and the PUR insulation core has an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) rating of zero and a low Global Warming Potential (GWP).
The high strength-to-weight ratio of SIP panels allows large sections of a building to be fitted at once, speeding up on-site erection. Offsite fabrication also reduces waste and helps lower embodied and transport energy.