Recent tariff increases are pushing lumber prices soaring—again. But while many builders scramble to reprice bids, juggle schedules, or rework takeoffs, SIP builders aren’t sweating it. They’ve already chosen a smarter, more resilient building system — one that uses dramatically less lumber, installs faster, and delivers better performance from day one.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) don’t just compete with conventional framing — they outpace it. In a market where dimensional lumber gets pricier by the week, SIPs give builders and design teams the control they need to keep projects on budget, on schedule, and on spec. Instead of planning for cost spikes and supply chain volatility, SIP builders aren’t flinching. They’ve already chosen a system that uses significantly less lumber, installs faster, and delivers superior long-term performance.
Premier SIPS don’t just compete with conventional framing—they outpace it in value, predictability, and results. In a market where dimensional lumber gets pricier by the day, SIPs offer a smarter, more sustainable approach to building.
Tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber — which supplies roughly 85% of U.S. imports — recently doubled to as much as 45%. That means every stud, header, and top plate is now a bigger cost risk than it was just months ago.
For traditional stick-framed projects, that’s a serious problem. Every linear foot of dimensional lumber becomes another point of vulnerability:
With thousands of individual pieces required for even a modest structure, stick framing leaves projects exposed to every market fluctuation. As lumber prices climb, so does the challenge of bidding accurately, securing materials on time, and keeping schedules on track.
The factory manufactured SIPs deliver structural performance that is a replacement for Lumber. Because SIPs act as a composite structural system, they provide superior racking resistance, load distribution, and seismic performance — all with less dimensional lumber. This makes SIPs not just a substitute but an upgrade.
The result:
And because SIPs replace — not just reduce — the structural role of lumber, they deliver composite strength that’s ICC-tested for seismic, wind, and snow loads.
⇒ RELATED: [THE HIDDEN COST OF STUDS, HOW SIPS SAVE ON BUILD TIMES & ENERGY COSTS]
Lumber Reduction Helps Meet Sustainability Goals
Cutting lumber use by up to 80% doesn’t just lower costs — it dramatically reduces embodied carbon and helps projects align with LEED, Passive House, and net-zero benchmarks.
A Specifier's Advantage
Fewer SKUs. Shorter material lists. Simplified procurement. Because SIPs consolidate framing, sheathing, and insulation, specifiers can streamline bids and reduce change-order risk — a major advantage in today’s volatile market.
| Category | Traditional Stick Framing | Premier SIPS |
|---|---|---|
| Lumber Use | High — studs every 16" | Up to 80% less lumber used |
| Installation Time | 3–5 weeks | Up to 55% faster |
| Labor Requirements | Large, skilled framing crews | Fewer workers; simplified install |
| Energy Performance | Meets minimum code | Exceeds code by 40–60% |
| Jobsite Waste | High — offcuts and rework | Up to 60% less waste |
| Material Volatility | Highly exposed to tariffs | Stable, predictable supply |
| Structural Strength | Limited by stud spacing | Engineered composite strength |
| Long-Term Value | Higher energy + maintenance costs | Lower lifetime operating costs |
Lumber isn’t the only line item affected by stick framing. Labor and waste play major roles too — and SIPs deliver big advantages on both fronts.
Lumber costs are only one part of the construction cost equation. Labor is the other, and SIPs help you save on both.
Stick framing is slow and labor-intensive. It requires large crews, skilled labor, and time-consuming on-site measurements and cuts. SIPs change that:
And with the labor market as tight as ever, that’s a serious advantage.
⇒ RELATED: [HOW SIPS REDUCE CONSTRUCTION JOBSITE WASTE]
⇒ RELATED: [HOW SIPS REDUCE ON-SITE LABOR DEMANDS]
For architects, estimators, and large-volume builders, SIPs also simplify the preconstruction process:
And because SIPs minimize “hidden lumber” — blocking, bracing, redundant members — they help large projects scale more predictably, even as tariffs and other material price factors fluctuate.
Cutting lumber use by 80% isn’t just good for budgets — it’s good for the planet. SIPs significantly reduce embodied carbon and help projects meet stringent sustainability goals like LEED, Passive House, and Net Zero benchmarks.
Plus, superior airtightness and insulation performance mean SIP buildings operate with 40–60% lower energy use — delivering long-term savings and reduced emissions over decades.
In today’s volatile market, the lowest upfront cost doesn’t always lead to the best bottom line. Smart builders and developers aren’t chasing the cheapest 2x4—they’re prioritizing superior project builds that deliver:
SIPs check every box. Because SIPs are manufactured off-site, lead times and delivery are easier to forecast. There are fewer jobsite variables, fewer trades needed, and far less opportunity for error. And since SIPs also improve energy efficiency and reduce callbacks, builders are seeing more value—and fewer surprises—over the life of a project.
In an industry driven by margin, predictability is no longer a luxury. It’s your competitive edge - even as lumber costs remain unpredictable..
SIPs don’t just promise upgraded performance over stick frame structures, they prove it. Explore data-backed benefits like:
Tariffs, labor shortages, and material volatility aren’t going away, but their impact on your projects can. SIPs give builders and designers control in an unpredictable market—reducing lumber use, improving efficiency, and delivering superior performance that holds its value long after the job is complete.
When every bid counts and every schedule matters, Premier SIPS are the smarter, more profitable way to build. Ready to cut lumber use by up to 80% and future-proof your next project against tariffs and labor shortages? Connect with a Premier SIPS expert to see how our panelized system delivers stronger structures, faster schedules, and more predictable profits.