Structural Insulated Panels SIPS
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are a form of composite sandwich panel system that incorporates insulation, predominantly used for residential and light commercial construction.
They take the form of an insulating core (such as closed-cell polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene) sandwiched between two structural facings. In the UK, the mainstream suppliers typically use the same structural facing – oriented strand board (OSB), which complies with the British Standard BS EN 300 for structural integrity.
SIPs are manufactured under factory-controlled conditions off-site and can be installed quickly once on site. The benefits of using SIPs are that they are high-strength, provide good thermal performance and can be fabricated to fit nearly any building design. They can prove cost-effective as a design solution (costing around the same as timber frame construction) due to their quick installation, reduced waste, energy use reduction and inherent strength (up to six times stronger than a regular timber frame).
The maximum length of a SIP is typically 7.5 m for walls and roofs. Floors can reach spans of up to 4 m. Various thicknesses are available, although the standard panel width is 142 mm.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Cladding for buildings.
- Composites.
- Construction materials.
- Curtain wall systems.
- Insulation.
- Panelling.
- Polyurethane spray foam in structurally insulated panels and composite structures.
- Rainscreen.
- Sandwich panel.
- Sarking.
- Thermal behaviour of architectural fabric structures.
- Timber engineered structural frames.
- Types of insulation.
Featured articles and news
Recharging Electrical Skills in Wales
Step by step collaborative solutions.
Ireland budget announcement 2025
CIOB responds with positivity, criticism and clarity.
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
Scope determination appeals and the Building Safety Act
Process explained following release of appeals guidance.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.