SIPs FOR HOMEOWNERS

SIPs or Structural Insulated Panels are a 21st century composite material that provides the benefits of insulation and structural performance in a single building product. SIPs consist of EPS (expanded polystyrene) insulation laminated with structural adhesives to oriented strand board structural sheathing. SIP panels benefit from the unique characteristics of composites – the simple sandwich panel forms an amazingly strong insulated panel for building walls, roofs and floors for SIP homes or commercial buildings.

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ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs can be used in all designs: custom homes, engineered homes, restaurants, office buildings, schools, churches….the options are endless. Homeowners, builders, and designers who want to use a superior building technology can all benefit from ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs.

Yes. Structural Insulated Panels have been tested extensively by nationally recognized organizations such as the International Code Council Evaluation Service. SIPs comply with the fire and structural regulations of the International Building and Residential Codes.

Many ways! The raw materials in ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs have low energy requirements to make them. The structural facings of ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs are made from renewable controlled growth wood resources. For years and years ThermaFoam R-Control SIP structures will save fuel used for heating and cooling. The resulting pollutants from burning fuels like natural gas, oil and coal are dramatically reduced. The environment is then spared the contributing “green house” effect of burning additional fuels that conventionally built structures require.

If you plan to own or occupy the building or house, there are several excellent reasons to consider ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs.

• Comfort — One of the most exciting features of an ThermaFoam R-Control SIP structure is the comfort benefit to the homeowner. ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs create an inside home environment that is more easily and economically controlled. In addition to superior physical comfort, ThermaFoam R-Control SIP structures are also very quiet and clean.
• Thermal Performance — Stick built walls were originally designed to be structural, not insulated. With ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs, the insulation is not an afterthought, but an integral part of the structure. The insulation is solid, so there is no air movement within the wall, nor are there studs acting as thermal breaks that reduce energy efficiency and homeowner comfort.
• Strength — Structural testing and real world storms and earthquakes have challenged ThermaFoam R-Control SIP strength performance. In tests of strength, ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs have proven stronger than stick framed construction methods.
• Quality — ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs assure you of straight, flat walls with no bulging framing members. Straight walls are virtually impossible to achieve with stick framing. Attraction of dirt particles to thermal shorts caused by framing members is eliminated. A continuous wood surface provides a sound nailing base for conventional exterior finishing materials. This is also an advantage for interior finishing, as well as hanging cabinets and pictures.
• Speed of Construction — ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs are a faster method of construction. Many ThermaFoam R-Control SIP contractor users report 30% to 50% increased productivity in their framing.

The cost of any home or building is significantly dependent upon design. Basically, ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs offset small additional material costs through labor savings. However, ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs produce significant savings to the owner over the life of the structure when lower utility bills arrive.

ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs are manufactured in various thickness with values of R-15, R-23, R-30, R-37, and R-45.

The R-value of a material or wall assembly was not intended to be the measure of thermal efficiency of a home. R-value only measures resistance to heat loss by conduction. Other forms of heat loss are convection, radiation and especially infiltration (leakage). Conventional framing with batt insulation promotes convection, radiant and infiltration heat loss. Testing at Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) showed that ThermaFoam R-Control SIP walls are far superior to conventional stick frame and batt insulated walls. A 4-1/2” R-Control SIP panel was 45% better than 2×4’s with R-13 batt insulation and in fact was also better than 2×6’s with R-19 batt insulation.

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Yes. The increased R-value and lower air leakage means that heating and cooling equipment must be designed for a high performance structure. This translates into lower capacity heating and cooling units and most importantly lower cost units. Since ThermaFoam R-Control SIP structures are so air tight, air exchangers are required as part of the HVAC system to bring fresh air into the structure while simultaneously exhausting air from the structure to ensure optimum indoor air quality. Comfort to the occupants is unparalleled.

ORNL tested R-Control SIPs side by side with stick construction. The results were impressive – the air leakage from the R-Control SIP construction was less than 10% of the stick construction. This translates into a more comfortable structure with fewer drafts and lower utility bills.

Yes. ThermaFoam R-Control SIPS have been used to build many homes and office buildings that achieve EPA’s ENERGY STAR Ratings or USGBC’s LEED Certification. And SIPs are a main component used in ORNL’s NetZero Energy homes as well as the building system of choice by many leading universities for the Solar Decathlon Design competition.

ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs are no more susceptible to insect infestation than other forms of construction. However, ThermaFoam R-Control has identified and thoroughly researched two products to provide protection of your investment. First, the insulation core of an ThermaFoam R-Control SIP is ThermaFoam R-Control with borate. ThermaFoam R-Control with borate is manufactured with an additive to provide termite resistance and is recognized as meeting ICC-ES requirements for termite resistance.

ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs can be additionally protected with borate Coating. FrameGuard coating protects the OSB facings from termites, mold, mildew, and decay. Most importantly, this includes a 20 year warranty and GreenGuard^® certification for indoor air quality. Even with these effective treatments, preventative building practices should be employed by the builder, and maintained by the homeowner.

Yes. Extensive testing has been performed by many independent laboratories. ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs have been evaluated by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and conform to the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). R-Control SIPs are manufactured under quality control program monitored by PFS Corp., a leading Third Party Inspection agency.

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Yes. ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs have been fully tested for surface burning characteristics and smoke development, corner room fire test, thermal barrier, and hourly fire tests on wall, ceiling and roof assemblies. All results are in compliance with building code requirements.

Yes. ThermaFoam R-Control SIPs have exceptional strength to resist seismic activity and high winds. R-Control has documentation of homes which used R-Control SIP’s that withstood the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Kobe, Japan in January 1995. These homes were located just miles from the quake’s epicenter and stood solidly against the tremendous force of the earthquake. R-Control SIP structures have also withstood tornados in Tennessee and straight line winds and tree trunks crashing into them in Michigan.