Simplifying Electrical Work with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)
In traditional framing, electricians have to identify stud locations, make sure they're straight and true, and then drill holes through every header and fire block from the bottom to the top of both perimeter and interior walls. It’s time-consuming and labor-intensive.
With SIPs, all that prep is essentially done for you. The panels are pre-chased—meaning the wire pathways are already cut out based on the house plan. This can save two full days of drilling alone. Reviewing documentation beforehand ensures everything is where it needs to be, streamlining the entire process.
When wiring a 5,500-square-foot house, using SIPs allowed me to complete the electrical in just two weeks—it would have taken three weeks using traditional framing. Plus, inspectors like the setup because the chases are centered within the walls and fully protected from physical damage. This also means you don’t have to staple the wires, as they’re already enclosed and secure.
In traditional builds, lumber often isn't fully dried, leading to warped framing. That can push sheetrock out of alignment and even cover electrical boxes. I’ve had to use a level to guess where I installed boxes, then cut them out of finished walls. With SIPs, everything is consistent and true, which prevents these headaches.
Using SIPs does require more upfront planning, especially when working around ZIP roof systems or exposed beams. You have to coordinate early with the builder to determine wire pathways, especially for ceiling features like canned lighting. Sometimes you’ll need to fur down sections of the ceiling to fit certain fixtures or to achieve a specific lighting pattern.
Some homeowners prefer a simple ceiling fan in the center of the room, while others want 20 lights spaced evenly. Planning where the chases are ahead of time ensures that everything is symmetrical and aligned with the desired layout. You might only need to drill for outlets and fish wires down—everything else is built in.
The process is similar to commercial installs. With SIPs, it’s like the conduit is already installed—you just have to pull the wire. For seasoned electricians, that might take some mental adjustment. On this job, the crew was hesitant at first and marked up their bid a bit to compensate. But after seeing how easy it was, they said it wasn’t a problem at all.
Brian Henderson, a builder in Billings, installed his first SIPs home recently. He was eager but had questions. I walked through the process with him and offered support. I always say the cheapest tool you own is your cell phone—call me anytime. That kind of mentorship goes a long way, especially with newer tradespeople coming out of training programs who’ve never seen traditional framing.
When you show someone a traditional wall and a SIPs wall side by side, it’s obvious which one is easier. The work is already done—they just push the wire through and move on. Even experienced contractors recognize the value once they see how much labor is saved. Instead of spending hours drilling with an auger down a 70-foot wall, you just pull wire through pre-marked chases.
With fewer people on crews and a shrinking pool of experienced tradesmen, efficiency matters more than ever. SIPs provide a built-in solution. You don’t need a 10-person team—two or three people can get the job done faster and with fewer errors. It’s an automatic value-add in today’s construction environment.
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