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Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs)
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When you build with Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), you’re building homes that can save 50% or more on energy costs compared to conventional stick framed homes. This translates to less fossil fuel consumption, which means lowered greenhouse gas emissions.
SIP technology provides higher “whole-wall” R-value, tightens the building envelope, and reduces air infiltration. These benefits potentially allow you to downsize the heating and cooling equipment. It’s the combination of these systems that makes up the technology of a high-performance SIP home. You will also enjoy the green building benefits of less job-site waste, better utilization of material resources, and more environmentally friendly building practices.
SIPs exceed the environmental efficiency of panelized walls by using fewer natural resources such as lumber. Generally SIPs are manufactured by sandwiching a core of expanded polystyrene (stryrofoam) between two layers of OSB sheathing. Products are presently available that replace the polystyrene with compressed straw for even greater resource-efficiency. SIPs can be ordered in large panels, or custom cut for windows, rake walls, etc. Because of the airtight design and the continuity of insulation, SIPs make for a quieter and more energy-efficient home than conventionally framed houses. As with any new technology, there is a learning curve associated with SIP construction however, the typical 5% to 10% increase in construction costs can offer short paybacks through smaller utility bills & increased comfort.
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R-Control SIPsR-Control SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) are a strong structural system consisting of Perform Gu |
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Before you buy... Fiberglass Windows
Using fiberglass for a window frame material is, in some cases, preferable to other window frame materials like wood, vinyl, or metal. Wood, the once ubiquitous window framing material, becomes less common as inexpensive alternatives become more common.
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