SIPs have been in use since the 1930s when they were invented in America in an effort to use timber more efficiently. Since those first houses were built SIP technology has come a long way and has become an established industry in America. The market share of SIPs in the US has grown in each of the past 5 years versus other forms of construction and has been used in Europe, especially Northern Europe, far longer than in the UK due to greater emphasis on keeping the cold outside.


Since SIPs were introduced to the UK in the 1980s, they have gone from strength to strength, with thousands of SIP houses now built in the UK due to their excellent energy efficiency and strength. SIPs are now a tested and trusted construction method and are accepted by warranty providers, building regulations and mortgage lenders Sound Performance SIPs eco panels can be used as a party wall achieving up to 59db reduction (45db requirement by building control, with 119mm SIP, 25mm mineral wool in the service void and plasterboard plank to either side with 3mm skim)

Roof Design

Recommended roof design is carried out by a structural engineer where necessary. Foundation to wall detail Sole plates are fixed to the slab by means of mechanical fixings at specified centres. The sole pate is treated softwood with the width dependent on the thickness of the panel core.

Fire Performance


Class 1


The standard finish for interior walls and ceilings is dry lining using one layer of 12.5mm Lafarge plasterboard with fire-tape on the joints.


Class 0


The optimum fire rating is achieved using two layers of 12.5mm Lafarge plasterboard.

Wall U-Values

Wall Type 1

102mm brick, 60mm cavity, reflective membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, reflective vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 12.5mm plasterboard.

SIP Thickness

Total Wall Thickness

U- Value

119mm

319mm

0.19W/m2K

144mm

344mm

0.17W/m2K

169mm

366mm

0.15W/m2K

194mm

394mm

0.13W/m2K

219mm

419mm

0.12W/m2K

 
 

Wall U-Values

Wall Type 2

5mm smooth render, 12mm magnesium oxide board (MgO), non-reflective breather membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, reflective vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 12.5mm plasterboard.

SIP Thickness Total Wall Thickness U- Value
119mm 171mm 0.23W/m2K
144mm 196mm 0.19W/m2K
169mm 221mm 0.17W/m2K
194mm 246mm 0.15W/m2K
219mm 271mm 0.13W/m2K

Wall U-Values

Wall Type 3

18mm timber cladding, 50mm cavity, reflective membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, reflective vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 12.5mm plasterboard.

SIP Thickness Total Wall Thickness U- Value
119mm 225mm 0.23W/m2K
144mm 250mm 0.19W/m2K
169mm 272mm 0.17W/m2K
194mm 300mm 0.15W/m2K
219mm 325mm 0.13W/m2K
 
 

Roof U-Values

Roof Type 1

12mm roof tiles, 50mm ventilated air layer, protect VP400 plus LR membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, protect VC foil ultra insulating A vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 12.5mm plasterboard.

SIP Thickness Total Roof Thickness U- Value
144mm 244mm 0.20W/m2K
169mm 269mm 0.17W/m2K
194mm 294mm 0.15W/m2K
219mm 319mm 0.13W/m2K

Roof U-Values

Roof Type 2

12mm roof tiles, 50mm ventilated air layer, protect VP400 plus LR membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, protect VC foil ultra insulating A vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 50mm Gyproc thermaline super.

SIP Thickness Total Roof Thickness U- Value
144mm 281mm 0.14W/m2K
169mm 306mm 0.12W/m2K
194mm 331mm 0.11W/m2K
219mm 356mm 0.10W/m2K
 
 

Roof U-Values

Flat Green Roof

Green roof covering, 19mm Plywood, 50mm ventilated air layer, protect VP400 plus LR membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, protect VC foil ultra insulating A vapour control layer, 12.5mm plasterboard.

SIP Thickness Total Roof Thickness U- Value
194mm 323mm 0.16W/m2K
219mm 348mm 0.14W/m2K

Roof U-Values

Flat Green Roof

Green roof covering, 19mm Plywood, 50mm ventilated air layer, protect VP400 plus LR membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, protect VC foil ultra insulating A vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 50mm Gyproc thermaline super

SIP Thickness Total Roof Thickness U- Value
194mm 360mm 0.11W/m2K
219mm 385mm 0.11W/m2K
 
 

Roof U-Values

Flat EPDM Roof

EPDM rubber roof covering, 19mm Plywood, 50mm ventilated air layer, protect VP400 plus LR membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, protect VC foil ultra insulating A vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 12.5mm plasterboard.

SIP Thickness Total Roof Thickness U- Value
194mm 299mm 0.14W/m2K
219mm 324mm 0.16W/m2K

Roof U-Values

Flat EPDM roof.

EPDM rubber roof covering, 19mm Plywood, 50mm ventilated air layer, protect VP400 plus LR membrane, SIP panel at specified thickness, protect VC foil ultra insulating A vapour control layer, 25mm service void, 50mm Gyproc thermaline super.

SIP Thickness Total Roof Thickness U- Value
194mm 336mm 0.11W/m2K
219mm 361mm 0.11W/m2K