When building a new home or an addition to your existing Massachusetts home, using structural insulated panels (SIPs) can give you a few key advantages. The design/build team at Sage Builders LLC can help you determine the best course of action for using SIPs.
Structural insulated panels are created from sandwiching a piece of EPS foam insulation between two structural oriented strand board (OSB) facings. This construction allows for many benefits:
- Shorter construction time – Typically, the average time to frame and insulate can be shortened by around 40 percent when using SIPs. This also allows for the roof to be raised quickly.
- Sustainable – Using SIPs will help keep your energy costs low, as a structural insulated panel rated at R-14 was found to insulate better than a 2×6 framed wall with R-19 fiberglass batt insulation. Not only that, but there’s less construction waste with prefabricated panels. The panels are manufactured from renewable resources. The OSB uses around 90 percent of each log that’s harvested, and the EPS is about 25 percent more efficient to produce than fiberglass batt insulation. The scrap can also be recycled to produce more insulation, making SIPs great sustainable options.
- Comfort – Using structural insulated panels will help keep your home at a more constant temperature, as well as quieter and cleaner. SIPs help keep your home sealed better than fiberglass batt insulated stick and frame walls. This translates to less air leakage, which means less outdoor dust and noise.
For more information related to structural insulated panels, or any other questions about home construction, contact the experienced professionals at Sage Builders LLC.
Image via Shutterstock.com