SIPS - Anyone built/lived in SIP home?

C

colorado

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Hello,

I am trying to decide between building a timber frame home and a SIP (structural insulated panel) house and hoping to hear from anyone who has built with SIPS. I am very familar with timber frame as have been living in US for over 10 years where most homes are timber so certainly would never consider block built home. I have done some research on SIPS over here in US but wondering what peoples experience in Ireland is? (hoping to move back in a year or so and build house).
1)I have checked out Kingspan Tex Haus website, is that the only company in Ireland that supplies SIPS?
2)How do SIPS compare cost wise to a timber frame packet?
3)Were there any problems with electricians or plumbers being familar with how to wire/plumb these homes?
4)Is noise a factor in these homes? That is one of the big complaints I see on the US forums on SIPS.
5)Time frame for package to be made and erected.

Any other information greatly appreciated.
 
Hello Colorado..... another posters has recently decided to use SIP's...can't remember who or where his post is (serch facilty is temp out of action on this site).

However he did state that he was getting a SIP's construction from the Timber Frame Company in Wexford


.... so you may want to try them also.

Am also looking around for Sip's suppliers at the moment & they appear scarce... if I find more info then I'll post & would ask that you do likewise.

From your knowledge, what are the advantages of SIP's over normal Timber Frame?

ninsaga
 
Hi Ninsaga,

I was the one posting on the SIPs. Kingspan seem to be the only suppliers in Ireland. I have done an extensive search and cant find any others except in UK. I am going with The timber frame company wexford as they were alot cheaper than Century homes who were recently bought by kingspan. TTFC supply Kingspan and are a registered supplier and fitter.
I have spoken to somebody who built this way. He raved about it. Said he used 2/3 of a tank of oil to heat the house for a 3200 sqft for the whole winter. He heats the air going through his HRV. He said biggest issue would be overheating in the summer. Not a big issue in this country and can get HRV fitted with cooling battery although I dont think you'd need it.
The cost for me is about 100000 for a 3400 sqft house including vat. it is more expensive than a timber frame but I think it is well worth it. Would rather put the money in a house that will cost 1/3 of a normal house to heat, especially with the cost of fossil fuels.
Dont think plumbers or electricians will have too much difficulties. All services go behind the plaster board attached to the strutts. No chasing of walls. Can also drill through the SIp boards and seal back up with foam sealer.
Big advantage is that house is practically air tight. Very low thermal bridging and so cuts down on heating costs. Also this guy said he finds the house is always very comfortable.
Quick to build about 3-4 weeks. Also roof is solid and they batten it so it costs less to slate.
Planning to block the outside.
 
Thanks for the info. I have never lived or been in a SIP home so can't compare first hand. Supposed to be much more energy efficient than timber frame, virtually air tight so have to have a ventaliation system installed. Also, quicker to build as insullation is already in place. And easier to decorate as can hang picture or cabinet anywhere, don't have to find a stud as entire house frame is structurally sound. Can be more creative with design as can span larger spaces. If you have a SIP roof you will have a very warm, attic which can be converted to a room easily. Also very good if have vaulted ceilings. ( I have read though that SIP roofs are very expensive so a lot of people in US opt for a regular roof truss on a SIP home).On the downside, it appears there can be issues with wiring and plumbing as wiring has be be fed through special channels that are pre drilled/cut in the panel. Also, if you decide later on to add an extra socket etc. can be difficult to install. And sound can be a concern, some say very quite others say noises like rain drops are amplified in a SIP home (could be an issue in Ireland!). I think they are more expensive than timber frame but not sure. There are 2 good US websites, www.sipweb.com and www.sips.org which will give you a lot of information on SIPS. Just bear in mind when reading the US forums that in general they are comparing SIP homes to stick built homes which is how most US homes are built and not timber frame the way the Irish homes are built. They are built of timber and plywood/OSB (like the Irish homes) but instead of the framing being done off site like in Ireland, everthing is done on site ie. framers will cut wood to length, frame house, attache plywood or OSB, cut our openings for windows etc.all on site. Believe it or not these homes are usually cheaper in the US then having your house built offsite so when they say SIPS are much more expensive than stick build it may not be much different to a timber frame package that you would be using in Ireland. (Hope I have not confussed everyone!). If I get any more information I will pass it on and similarly hope other people might have some info on Irish SIPS.
 
Hi AJL,

Looks like we were both posting at the same time! Thank you so much for the information. I think then that the SIPS here in the US are a little different to the Irish ones when it comes to how to do wiring and electrical. Irish way seems much better. Does your friend have any problems with sound? When you say the house will cost you 100k is that just for the SIP packet? Does that include erection of shell ( I vaguely remember reading that you had to have someone who is certified by Kingspan erect shell?). What was included in your packet? About how long did it take to erect the shell? Really do appreciate the information. My husband is a builder and from what he has read he is pretty impressed with this method of building and sounds like it is a good system. Can you keep us updated on how your project goes? Once again thanks for the information and good luck with your project.
 
Great Information here... btw AJL...what exacly is HRV?

ninsaga

Edited: OK just found it...Heat Recovery Ventilators...... what is the cost of installing this & what are the benefits AJL?
 
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Heat recovery ventialtion. The moto I think is air tight and ventilate right. Must have a ventilation system to move air around the house. there are no air vents( as in a block house) which are counter productive as you lose heat out through them. this system allows you to use the heat from the stale air to heat the incoming air. The cost for my house is about 7-8000. From what I've heard well worth the money. Worth the money cause you only have to heat the air the 2 to 5 degrees you lose. Please dont take my word for it. I am a novice at this game ring around and try and see if you can find people that have used a HRV system.
to answer your question Colorado
Yes I think sound is an issue. I intend to put rockwool between the first and second floor and also going to look at every way possible to reduce noise. the bext thing i was told is to ensure that you totally seal any gaps as these are the biggest cause of sound travel in a house.
This 100000 includes erection of the build. I have also got assurances from the supplier that if I do a blower door test, to check for leaks, he will fix them.
Packet includes breather membrane on the outside . All internal struts.
Will keep you informed but expect it will be two to three months before I start.
 
Hi AJL....did you ger particular guidance from TTFC for this? I am a bit puzzled as to what the standard ventilation system is then for a SIP's house since it is meant to tbe virtually airtight....yet at the same time the house does require ventilation anyway.


ninsaga
 
ninsaga said:
Hi AJL....did you ger particular guidance from TTFC for this? I am a bit puzzled as to what the standard ventilation system is then for a SIP's house since it is meant to tbe virtually airtight....yet at the same time the house does require ventilation anyway
Click to expand...

There is no standard ventilation system. It is up to yourself what ventilation you put in. TTFC did recommend starkey systems in England. i am dealing with a crowd up the North at present. It is imperative that you put in ventilation. Every house needs ventilation with most houses being ventilated through the standard grills in rooms. This means that you have no control of how much cold air gets into the house. You lose a lot of heat in this way. With a mechanical ventilation system you have control on the air coming into the house. Yes it has to be on continuously but with heat recovery attached to the ventilation you save money by using the heat from the stale air to heat up the fresh air. It also means windows dont need to be open so cuts down on dust and noise.
I don't know if this answers your question give me a shout again if you need more info.

AJL
 
7-8k for hrv? Sounds excessive, I previously got a guidance figure of €2 per square foot from ProAir.
 
Sorry Leo this is for more than the what recovery system i.e.
The house is 3400 sq ft so have to put in two heat recovery systems the smaller one will work on master bedroom ensuite and couple of bedrooms downstairs.
The other larger system will cover the rest of the house.
Into the larger system I am putting in the eco-smart system.this extracts hot air from the gap underneath the slates to gather the hot air created from the sun heating the slates. I think it uses a blanket under the batons on the roof to retain the hot air.
Price approx 5000 stg including installation exc vat.
 
Hello AJL & Colorado

I just got a quote from CH (ouch !!) and I am waiting to hear back from the wexford company, I am also gonna contact the galway company, and I cannot find anybody else in Eire who does SIP's. My house will be just over 2700 ft.


AJL..., did you go with TF company HRV system or did you buy and install independently ?

Is the HRV the only heating source you are using or do you have it working with oil gas ?

I was considering geo-thermal (with a quinn lite build) but now feel it would be overkill in SIP TF

General TF question....

do you think it is more economical to buy gypsum/plasterboard & insulation from your chosen TF company or go local ?

sorry for the barrage of Q's but its coming down to crunch time, will post when I get prices to compare with CH

appreciate any help

MudHut
 
mudhut said:
Hello AJL & Colorado

I just got a quote from CH (ouch !!) and I am waiting to hear back from the wexford company, I am also gonna contact the galway company, and I cannot find anybody else in Eire who does SIP's. My house will be just over 2700 ft.


AJL..., did you go with TF company HRV system or did you buy and install independently ?

Is the HRV the only heating source you are using or do you have it working with oil gas ?

I was considering geo-thermal (with a quinn lite build) but now feel it would be overkill in SIP TF

General TF question....

do you think it is more economical to buy gypsum/plasterboard & insulation from your chosen TF company or go local ?

sorry for the barrage of Q's but its coming down to crunch time, will post when I get prices to compare with CH

appreciate any help

MudHut
Click to expand...

Just a quick point mudhut..

Heat Recovery Systems (HRV) are not a heating source, theyre simply a method of transfering heat. If you want to use a system similar to this for heating you are then into an Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning system (HVAC).
You still need some kind of heat producing appliance in your build.
 
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