Introduction
Insulated Panels are prefabricated building panels utilized in floors, walls, ceilings on buildings. Installing insulated panels for building constructions are aimed to make sure the energy efficiency, easy and fast installation and a decrease in operating costs. A structural insulated panel (SIP) is a composite building material; consisting of an insulating layer core sandwiched between two layers of metals.
Options of SIP
SIP’s are commonly made of the Oriental Strand Board (OSB) panels sandwiched round a foam core made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or inflexible polyurethane foam. Other materials akin to plywood, pressure-handled plywood for below-grade basis partitions, steel, aluminum, cement board similar to Hardie Backer, and even unique materials like stainless metal, fiber-reinforced plastic, and magnesium oxide can be utilized in replacement of OSB. SIPs provide steady air and vapor barrier as well as increased R-Value compared to traditional constructions. When labor cost, materials waste and energy effectivity are considered SIPs are comparable to more typical building methods.
History
The Thought of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) launched The Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin in 1935. The laboratory developed a prototype panel consisted of framing members, plywood and hard board sheathing, and insulation. These initial panels have been used to build test houses and tested after 30 years to disclose that the panels retain their initial strength. In 1952 Alden B. Dow created the primary foam cores SIPs which were being mass produced in the 1960’s.
Find out how to use SIP
The SIPs are designed to withstand axial loads, shear loads and out of edge loads. These can be used for floors, partitions, roofs etc… for the buildings. They have the ability to withstand the bi-axial bending and lateral shear; so, they’re very much suitable for use as roofs and floors. Probably the most widely used panel joint connections are the Surface spline and Block Spline. The Surface spline Joint Connection consists of the strip of OSB or plywood inserted into slots in the foam. The block spline is a thin and slender SIP assembly that is inserted into recesses within the foam alongside the panel edges. These connections end in a continuous foam core across the panels. This helps to remove air filtration at the joints.
One other joint connection is Mechanical cam locks; create a tighter joint between the panels. In any type of connection, the seam alongside the sheathing have to be covered with a steady line of panel tape. Openings might happen at the edges and corners of the panel, and so the panel foam could be recessed to access lumber headers. Any opening within the SIPs that accept another enclosed factor must be properly sealed.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits:
- SIP provides the tighter building envelope and the walls will have higher insulating properties.
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Lower in working costs.
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Buildings made with insulated panels will be simply dismantled and reused
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Insulated panel properties (power and thermal insulation property) will remain the same if reused.
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It’s price effective as it can be installed easily
Drawbacks:
- Quite poor efficiency with respect to the noise control.
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Might be damaged by moisture. Higher to use the panels with waterproof surfaces.
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Panels needs to be properly protected from pests/insecticides.
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Requires a proper mechanical air flow system
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Modification of the initial project is costly.
Conclusion
The Structural Insulated Panels come prefabricated and ready to be assembled, and hence it helps to speed up the construction.Additionally, it requires minimal equipment and workforce and therefore value effective.
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