SIPs use in the domestic market

SIPs have been used for housing in the UK since the early 90's and are now one of the fastest growing modern methods of construction. Its popularity is down the huge benefits that they bring to all involved.

In recent years, the need for high performing, environmentally friendly and energy efficient builds has been brought to the attention of every part of the industry.

SIP-PANELS Limited can provide a low rise housing system along the lines detailed below

How our housing system is created...

Foundations & External walls

Foundation: Preferred option - Insulated polystyrene former slab foundation incorporating steel fibre concrete and a powerfloat finish. In ‘bad’ ground conditions piles can be incorporated into this system.

Beam and block or any other traditional foundation method can also be used.

External walls: The SIPS wall panels arrive on site in complete storey height walls. All openings are pre formed in the walls. The faces of the walls are made from OSB3 board. External fire resistance is required to comply with B4 in England/Wales or D10 in Scotland.

The thickness of the walls are generally between 96m and 200mm depending on the U value required. The walls can achieve a variety of low levels depending on the external finish chosen in the design process. The core of the panels is polyisocyanate injected foam which hold a ZERO O ZONE deflation rate . All party walls are constructed from the SIPS panels. Cavity fire barriers can be supplied at party walls.

Compatible External materials

External Finish

SIPs can be finished externally with a piety of materials.

Render
Timber/Cedar or composite cladding,
Brick or stone slips
Full brick system

These can be applied to the panels either on site or in the factory.

Window and door frames can also be installed in the factory, achieving a completely finished wall on site.

This would leave only the internal plasterboard to be applied.

Joinery on or off site

Floor, Stair and Roof construction

Floor and stair construction: The first floor construction is BCI joists supported on the wall panels via joist hangers. The floor covering is 22mm peel clean floor sheets. Standard whitewood staircases including all balustrades, newel posts, handrails etc. can also supplied.

Roof construction: Standard roof trusses of all types, including attic trusses can be supplied, or a SIPS roof giving a total usable open loft area.

If SIPS or attic trusses are used a additional floor at that level would be supplied. We can supply all fascias, soffits and bargeboards including any support timbers required.

Concrete tiles or slates can be used as the roof covering or steel roof tiles such as Decra or Metrotile.

Internal walls & wall finish

Internal Walls & Internal finish

Internal walls: The internal walls are constructed from timber frames, which arrive on site pre-formed, filled with insulation on site and finished with plasterboard.

We also have our acoustic panel which gives a tested value of 48-63 dB, for areas where acoustic performance is a requirement.

Internal finish: 12.5mm standard or fireline plasterboard and skim, or tape and joint is the normal finish to all walls.

For party walls an additional layer of plasterboard is required to comply with acoustic requirements.

Extras we can offer

Sevices & Reinforcement

Services: Complete walls with plasterboard can be pre-wired including electrical boxes.

Alternatively battens are fixed to the panels before plasterboard giving a service void for cables and pipes.

Any service holes can be formed in the panels for incoming services, vents etc.

Any fire protection around the openings would also be incorporated in the factory. If there is a volume requirement for a house type, wiring looms can be supplied to further improve build times.

Reinforcement: Where needed additional pattresses are provided to support additional loadings such as kitchen units.