Structural Insulated Panels or Closed Panel Timber Frame

ECO_Mental

HI,

Currently I am in the concept stage of my house, a 2500sqr ft 2 story house in the south of the country and would like some advice.

I know that my house has to be as airtight as possible and have excellent insulation and I feel I can only achieve this with either SIPS or closed panel timber frame construction. I also like the speed of build and the whole neatness of these systems.

I am kind of leaning towards SIPS at the moment, seams a more airtight system than closed panel.

My question is has anybody built with SIPS and are they any good and are they better than closed panel.

Thanks for the advice in advance
EM

sydthebeat

ECO_Mental wrote: »

HI,

Currently I am in the concept stage of my house, a 2500sqr ft 2 story house in the south of the country and would like some advice.

I know that my house has to be as airtight as possible and have excellent insulation and I feel I can only achieve this with either SIPS or closed panel timber frame construction. I also like the speed of build and the whole neatness of these systems.

I am kind of leaning towards SIPS at the moment, seams a more airtight system than closed panel.

My question is has anybody built with SIPS and are they any good and are they better than closed panel.

Thanks for the advice in advance
EM

havent "built" as such but i have been the architect on a SIP build. SIP systems have a structural system that allows for as least amount of thermal bridging as possible, whereas closed panel TF has thermal bridges at studs, albeit not many.

SIP is a better system than closed panel. This fact is reflected in the price. The particular build system i was involved with was the TEK system.

sinnerboy

ECO_Mental wrote: »

I know that my house has to be as airtight as possible and have excellent insulation and I feel I can only achieve this with either SIPS or closed panel timber frame construction. I also like the speed of build and the whole of these systems.

Insulated Concrete Formwork is inherently airtight too and is a fast build method

Solid blockwork , externally insulated and WET plaster finished internally is also inherently airtight if not a fast build method

ECO_Mental wrote: »

I am kind of leaning towards SIPS at the moment, seams a more airtight system than closed panel.

Any build method will stand or fall - in terms of the whole building final air test result - on the workmanship on site . In particular a watchfull eye must be kep on plumbers and electricians to ensure they do not damage the air tight barrier - and where they do so anyway - that the barrier is repaired

Whatever fabric the walls are made of - it is vital that ext doors and windows are tape sealed to the walls . BSRIA http://www.bsria.co.uk/ have reported , based on examination of samples as built structures in the UK that up to 25% of unintended ventilation losses occur around external wall openings

ECO_Mental wrote: »

question is has anybody built with SIPS and are they any good and are they better than closed panel. Thanks for the advice in advance EM

I have not built using SIPS . My preference is to use a closed panel timber frame with a services cavity internally . That way you can help reduce the risk on site of damage to the air tight barrier . Once the 1st fix M+E is done you can visually inspect the barrier and repair it before plasterboarding over . Better still have a pre-test air test done to enable a really rigourous snag before plasterboarding .

ECO_Mental

Your are right Sinner "Any build method will stand or fall - in terms of the whole building final air test result - on the workmanship on site" and thats the reason I wont go near blocks "ALL" the work is done on site. I dont care how good the block layer (or any trade) is on a cold miserable day he will take short cuts to get the job done and get home.

The way I see it if you can complete the majority of the work off site you stand a better chance. I cant see the same short cuts done in a controlled factory floor with heating and your gaffer standing over your shoulder all the time.

And I am 100% behind you with the service cavity great idea.

npgallag

Anyone any current views on this debate..?

BryanF

npgallag wrote: »

Anyone any current views on this debate..?

This thread is 5 years old?