Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, have become the increasingly popular material of choice for builders throughout the western region of the United States. SIPs are a unique alternative to traditional construction methods (like stick framing) because they combine structural support and insulation in one large panel.
Whether braving a job site in biting Alaskan temperatures, working through rain showers in Washington and Oregon or sweltering underneath Arizona sun, builders are met with the daunting task of constructing energy efficient and high-performance homes and buildings. Premier Building Systems’ award-winning SIP panel system creates structures that builders, business owners and homeowners alike can be proud of, regardless of which state they build in, conduct business in or call home.
The continued popularity of SIPs is primarily due to their impressive ability to maintain comfortable interior temperatures, even in hot and dry climates exhibited by Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and California.
Insulation is one of the key components of maintaining a comfortable, energy efficient building. Premier SIPs exhibit exceptional insulating power because the expanded polystyrene insulation material is made up of 98% air. In sharp contrast, other insulation materials are often composed of blowing agents that diffuse out over time, diminishing their ability to resist the flow of heat or cold.
Insulation is rated by R-value, which measures a material’s thermal resistance. An insulated material with a higher R-value (like that of Premier SIPs) forms a more effective and continuous thermal layer between outside and the interior of the building. Consequently, SIPs do a remarkable job of regulating interior room temperatures in hot weather climates, keeping occupants comfortable even when the temperature is blazing hot outside.
With significantly less air leakage than traditional-framed homes and improved whole wall R-values, structural insulated panel homes and businesses also don’t require oversized HVAC systems to push cool air through the building envelope. HVAC systems can be smaller and more energy efficient. In fact, SIP structures use up to 50% less energy to maintain pleasantly cool rooms in hot-dry climates found in the Southwestern United States.
Throughout Alaska and the Northwest region of the United States, where heating costs are expensive and temperatures can drop to below freezing levels, the effectiveness of a structure’s building envelope is critical.
SIPs, expanded polystyrene rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two oriented strand boards, provide a virtually airtight building envelope. The building envelope insulates structures from harsh weather conditions.
Alaska, Washington and Oregon based SIPs builders can feel good about constructing energy efficient and high-performance homes and buildings that boast superior thermal performance. After all, one of the major concerns for home and business owners today is their inability to control energy costs. Because of airtight construction, occupants will not watch valuable heat resources (or dollars) escape through traditionally constructed building frames.
Western builders, regardless of their state’s unique climate, can stand rooted in confidence that Premier SIPs are cost and energy efficient. Residential and commercial building owners will reap the benefits of comfortable interiors and reduced electricity bills. Further explore state-by-state benefits of Premier’s structural insulated panels by checking out www.premiersips.com/contact-us.