What is SIP panels

When finding ready-made frame and energy-efficient solutions for building a house, information about the use of SIP panels for fast and less costly erection of buildings is increasingly. Advertising is replete with statements that at home from SIP panels it is economically more profitable and at the same time they surpass the standard solution from brick and concrete. Is it so? It is worth considering in more detail.

Table of contents

What is a SIP panel and why is it needed?

The main advantages and disadvantages

Characteristics of sandwich panels

Varieties of the applied insulation

Useful tips for choosing SIP panels

What is a SIP panel and why is it needed?

This interesting and universal material is used in construction in the construction of frame structures. In fact, SIP is a structural insulating panel consisting of insulation -layers, on both sides of the OSP covered with sheets. The layers are interconnected using polyurethane glue, with an external effect of the press of 18 tons. A oriented chip plate consists of several layers of wood chips, which is interconnected using resins. This material gradually displaces the usual chipboard due to its strength and some degree of elasticity. The foam plastic is used as a heater, better known as foam polysterol. Due to the fact that it is light in production and does not conduct heat poorly - the specified material is an excellent insulation.

Houses built using this technology are often called Canadian, since it was from the harsh climate of Canada that this method came to our market. Despite the fact that this method of fast construction has been for several decades - it is still perceived in hostility. It is worth noting that people are characterized by distrust, especially to this, in appearance, fragile material. The brick still remains in the eyes of many consumers a priority choice, despite the fact that it is by no means ideal and has a number of shortcomings. At that time, while we still have a strong distrust of the SIP panel, practical Americans and Europeans create entire associations that help beginners with word and business, and in addition are able to give practical recommendations for construction. SIP panels, photos of which illustrates their simplicity well - will be a great choice if desired quickly and without unnecessary costs to build a house.

The main advantages and disadvantages

Of course, any technology has both its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages are in the areas of convenience and comfort. Projects from SIP panels will be a reasonable choice, since the buildings erected have the following advantages:

• Thermal insulation of plates. Canadian houses are distinguished by the best degree of thermal insulation, compared to which the brick is noticeably grazing. According to experts, in order to achieve the same low factor for brick losses, a wall thickness of at least 2.5 m will be required, despite the fact that the standard panel thickness is 17 cm.

• Great sound insulation. Despite the thickness of the panel, polystyrene foam prevents the penetration of noise from the street.
• Light weight of the total design. 1 m2 of the panel has an average weight of 15-20 kg, depending on the thickness. For example, a similar area of \u200b\u200bbrick masonry is quite capable of passing over half a ton. The following advantage comes from here: at home from SIP panels they do not need a powerful and expensive foundation, for the Canadian type of fairly fine -pounded strip.
• Squeezing buildings. Structures from SIP panels are built in a matter of weeks. For example, a two -story suburban cottage with a total area of \u200b\u200b50 m2 is built on a turnkey in 3 weeks.
• Construction can be carried out at any time of the year, according to this criterion, SIP panels have no restrictions.
• Thanks to the slight weight of the panels, they are easy to transport and unload them, which can significantly save on the delivery and services of movers.
• The panels are resistant to aggressive external environments, including biological. For example, such as mold or fungus.
• SIP panels, the price for which starts from $ 25 per m2 - will be an excellent alternative to other building materials both in terms of cost and ease of construction of structures.
• Due to the environmental friendliness and safety for the health of SIP, the panels are used for installation in any type of construction, they do not leave construction waste behind and do not emit allergenic substances.
• Simplicity of mounting panels. They do not require special skills and equipment. Any work, starting from the construction of a small extension, and ending with the construction of a cottage in several floors, in fact, requires only the presence of the panels themselves, self -tapping screws, mounting foam and a set of basic simple tools.

Tests have shown that SIP panels have significant mechanical strength, which well withstands the longitudinal and transverse load. Indicators at the level of 10 tons per m2 with longitudinal, and 2 tons for transverse ceilings serve as a convincing factor.

The list of advantages of the SIP panel is very convincing. Nevertheless, she is characterized by some shortcomings, sometimes too inflated by adherents of brick and concrete:

• combustibility,
• environmental harmfulness,
• resistance to rodents.

Many buyers are primarily worried about the issue of fire resistance of SIP panels, since the OSP of the slabs by 90% consist of wood. Nevertheless, there is no reason to worry, since they are treated with a special tool called antipyrene. As a result of its use, the fire resistance of the plate increases to 7 times compared to ordinary wood. Penalisterol, used in such panels, has self -adjacent properties, therefore, even when exposed to open flame on the material, the flame is not spaced on neighboring structures.

From the point of view of environmental friendliness, the material is not a danger to humans. The adhesive components certainly release harmful volatile compounds into the atmosphere, but their number is not able to harm health.

Now it is important to consider the problem with rodents. As you know, they are able to penetrate the dwelling in different ways. There is a fear that polystyrene foam will become a favorable environment for the penetration of rodents. Nevertheless, such a problem has not been noticed due to the fact that the material of the insulation on both sides is closed with boards and OSP plates. The chips impregnated with resin are a good barrier against pests, since this material has sufficient strength. The insulation is inedible and for this reason does not cause interest in rodents.

In the event that the SIP panels are used for the construction of buildings not according to Canadian technology, but as building materials for the skin of frame structures - it is worth remembering that some other shortcomings will appear:

• In places of joints, drafts are often observed. The specified disadvantage is easily eliminated using a mounting tape and is irrelevant for Canadian houses.
• In the absence of insulation, individual areas begin to freeze.
• In places of connection of the plates and frame, condensate accumulates, which will lead to the appearance of compound defects.
• There is a probability of cosmetic damage to the slab during careless transportation or cutting. In this case, it will be necessary to close the scratches with a protective layer of primer.

Another drawback that is sometimes focused on is the presence of toxic formaldehydes and phenols, which were extensive used in the production of chipboard. Nevertheless, this problem is insignificant, since the amount of substance that does not go beyond the norms established by sanitary safety in class E1 is used in production.

Characteristics of sandwich panels

Thermotechnical calculation of the wall panel showed that with the thickness of the polystyrene foam layer of 100 mm, the heat transfer resistance value is 2.8 W/mos, which corresponds to the norms adopted by SNiP. In the same case, if a plate with a thickness of 224 mm is used, the indicator reaches a value of 5.2 W/MOS. For example, the indicators of a wood beam with brick cladding will be 1 W/MOS, 400 mm brick in combination with 80 mm mineral wool as a heater and a layer of lining reach a 2.02 W/MOS.

As you can see, the construction SIP panel of 224 mm thickly exceeds other materials in terms of ensuring thermal insulation, which in the future will significantly reduce heating costs in winter and conditioning the house in summer.

The calculated indicators of SIP panels in terms of ensuring soundproofing showed that even with a minimum thickness of 120 mm, a mark of 44 dB is achieved. With the optimal thickness of wall panels of 224 mm, the soundproofing of the room reaches 75 dB, which is one and a half times higher than the similar indicators of other building materials.

Varieties of the applied insulation

The following types of materials are used as a seal and thermal insulation:

• mineral wool,
• polystyrene foam,
• fiberglass,
• polyurethane foam,

It was the polystyrene foam that gained the most popular. This material has a cellular structure and demonstrates the following advantages:

• Water absorption. The material, even after being 10 days in water, can absorb no more than 0.4% of the moisture in volume.
• The vapor permeability is equivalent to similar indicators of oak and pine wood and is an indicator of 0.05 mg/m*chips.
• Resistance to fungus and parasites.
• It is not a nutrient medium for rodents. Despite this, they are able to rush in it to gain access to the dwelling, but in SIP panels, use as a cladding of the OSP-stamps is a good protection against rodents.
• The durability of the polystyrene foam according to experts is at least 60 years

Thanks to the easy weight of polystyrene foam, the installation of panels and the construction of the building from them occupies a record time, which is why this material is so fell in love with the builders and is used as the main variety of insulation.

Mineral wool is good in that, like polystyrene foam, it provides excellent heat and sound insulation properties, and is resistant to external aggressive media, including high temperatures. Its disadvantages are the effect on the human skin when it enters open areas of the body, which causes discomfort and strong scabies. Work on the installation of panels and their sawing must be carried out carefully so that the particles of cotton wool do not fall into the respiratory tract.

Poliuretan foam is good when used in a wet climate, since it has the best characteristics in terms of hydro- and thermal insulation, not inferior in other indicators. Like the rest, it is resistant to mold and fungal parasites.

The fiberglass is extremely rare, and as the main advantage it offers excellent sound absorption shows, often reaching 90 dB. Nevertheless, weak resistance to heating, when the material begins to deform already at +40C did not provide it with popularity.

Useful tips for choosing SIP panels

First of all, it is important to remember, and if necessary, to constantly remind yourself: it does not happen to be of high quality cheap. Most of the problems arising from the purchase of SIP plates occur precisely due to improper choice in the direction of cheapness.

The priority problem arising from the purchase of plates from an unscrupulous manufacturer is the use of low -quality glue. Cases were noticed when, during production, the glue was applied to the surface of the insulation unevenly, moreover, by simple stripes manually. As a result, the OSP layer is easily separated from the insulation when exposed to some strength.

The second, often common problem, especially inherent in domestic and Chinese manufacturers, is the use of poor -quality polystyrene foam, which is easily burned, while highlighting harmful particles. It is important to remember that quality material does not spread combustion and has self -replacement.

From the foregoing, it makes sense to highlight several useful tips that will help when choosing and buying:

• before ordering the party, it is advisable to personally verify in its quality,
• no need to chase the cheapness, because in this case the stingy pays twice, and not to order the second house, not everyone can afford,
• the slabs need to be ordered directly from the manufacturer, or from dealers with a good reputation,
• it is advisable to request a delivery option for delivery, in extreme cases, an advance payment. Firms with a low reputation are often characterized by the requirement of 100%prepayment. The factor in the morning money - in the evening, chairs in this case will play against the buyer.

In general, it must be noted that even high -quality German manufacturers make the admission of errors in the size of the plates. Nevertheless, the Egger concern is distinguished by a universally recognized fact of stably high quality products, and Glunz is a small margin after it. Both manufacturers have a high reputation, confirmed by more than one decade and thanks to them SIP panels, which will not be difficult to buy in any building magazine, will delight with their quality and reliability.