Why SIPs Might be the Best Choice for Your Extension

Structured insulated panels (SIPs) offer genuine advantages to homeowners contem

plating an extension, particularly with the newly-released next generation
panels comi
ng to market
Structured insulated panels (SIPs) were invented 80 years ago in America. They a
re building panels that are traditionally made by bonding sheets of orientated s
trand board (OSB) tightly onto either side of insulation material. Those panels
then link together to form the structure of a building (or part thereof). It s a sup
remely fast method of construction and applicable to most types of home extensio
n.
SIP panels are factory-made offsite. This method of modular building gives homeo
wners a lot of freedom when working with an architect to design their extensions
.
For more elaborate structures or ideas, what may be expensive and complicated us
ing traditional building techniques suddenly becomes cheaper and less labour-int
ensive with SIP panels.
What are the advantages of using SIPs for an extension?
Using SIP panels for extensions means a much quicker construction and installati
on. As they are delivered in manageable sizes specific to a job, they are easy t
o use on tight sites or sites with restricted access.
Build time (and labour charges) are reduced to a minimum because installation is
not subject to site weather conditions. There s far less building mess and wet trad
es on site. So, for homeowners, living at the property during the build, there w
ill be lower levels of disruption, noise and the anxiety that comes with a proje
ct.
The way SIP panels are made means that there is far less wood and concrete waste
in construction than with traditional methods. So, compared with other forms of
home extension including timber-framing, the costs of material and labour make
a compelling argument to use SIP panels.
A popular feature of the SIP build is the extra floor space that can be created
within as roof trusses are not required during construction. Therefore, on addit
ional bedroom extensions for example, the roof space has the built-in capabiliti
es of being easily converted to living space.
SIPs and Energy Efficiency
SIP panels have superb thermal efficiency meaning far less heat escapes extensio
ns constructed with them. This means nowhere near as much money is required to k
eep the new part of your home warm. This reduces your greenhouse gas emissions a
nd energy bills.
The factories producing SIP panels also use very little energy. So, from putting
the panels together to their heat retention post-construction, it s a sensible solu
tion for homeowners for whom environmental friendliness is very important.
As well as their thermal performance SIP panels are traditionally thinner than t
raditional walls but have superb soundproofing. This can be further increased wi
th additional insulated or soundproof internal boarding.

Why are Builders are increasingly embracing SIP panel technology?

There s a lot of enthusiasm for SIP builds. The technology is already used in thousa
nds of projects worldwide. However, there are some companies looking to make adv
ances in the market and believe there are major areas where the technology could
be improved.
One traditional SIPs drawback is that extensions constructed with them needed an
outer skin
usually either block or brick. So, when the SIP frame was up, the proj
ect was still far off completion with a large job ahead for builders. Further dr
awbacks were the OSB being a wood based material wasn t particularly resilient again
st water, fire or rot.
However, the SIP has seen recent reinvention with a composite cement board that
creates a finished single skin that can be quickly clad or rendered. This saves
on labour time and thus cost.
Superior SIPs
One particular company who wanted to improve the SIPs and eliminate the drawback
s began work on the next generation of SIP panels. After a few years of research
and a cumulation of expert knowledge and testing through building projects, the
Superior SIP was launched.
The Superior SIP panel comes i