Is the SIP technology new in the United Kingdom?

No. The first Structural Insulated Panel house was built in the UK around 1995; however SIPs have been used worldwide since the 1950s. The first SIP house was built in 1952 in Michigan, USA.

Since then over 20,000 SIP homes are built each year and over 200 have been built in the last year in the UK alone.

Why aren't SIPs more widely used in the United Kingdom and Ireland?

The main reason is due to SIPs being a relatively new building technology to the UK, which people are unfamiliar or unaware of, however the new Building Regulations / Standards which only came into effect in 2002/3 challenge many traditional construction systems, meaning people have to look at ways of meeting the new requirements economically.

Will a house built with Structural Insulated Panels last?

Yes. Considering that a SIP house is up to 7 times stronger than a traditional timber frame house and timber frame houses have been built in the UK since the 19th century, many of which are still going strong now, a SIP house will still be there for your great grand children to enjoy ... and many years beyond.

How do Structural Insulated Panels react to fire?

Structural Insulated Panels exceed the Building Regulation requirements with regards to fire resistance; with 12.5mm fire resistant plasterboard the panels achieve a Class 1 fire rating. A Class 0 fire rating is achieved if two layers of plasterboard are fixed.

How will the Structural Insulated Panels be delivered to site?

Deliveries will be made via an appropriate sized vehicle. Customers should make prior arrangements with us for the unloading and storage of the panels, we would recommend that a telescopic handler be hired for the off-loading of panels from the delivery vehicle

Do I need a crane / lifting equipment and scaffolding for the panels to be installed?

When installing the wall panels, panel by panel a crane or telescopic handler is not needed as the panels are light enough to be lifted and manoeuvred into place. A crane or telescopic handler is required when wall or roof panels are joined together on the ground and installed as an entire section.

Installing roof panels will always require a crane or telescopic handler of appropriate size.

Scaffolding is to be erected around three sides of the building before we arrive on site to erect the building. The scaffolding company should then return to complete the installation once the erectors are at first floor level. The scaffolding can be erected far enough away from the frame so that it can stay up and be used by the other trades such as brick-layers and roofers.

On receipt of an order, a site survey will be carried out by one of our representatives to determine the necessary equipment to be used.

Does the SIP building system need a vapour barrier?

Calculations in accordance with BS 5250: 1989 (Control of Condensation in Buildings) shows no requirement for a vapour control layer with the Structural Insulated Panels, however buildings have a tendency to alter their psychrometric conditions (% Relative Humidity) through change of use and therefore, it is always good practice to install a vapour control layer (VCL). This can be installed in the conventional manner, with polythene, or by using foil backed plasterboard.

Are Structural Insulated Panels vulnerable to insects and pests?

No. The Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) / Hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) free rigid Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) core of the SIP panels resists attack by mould and microbial growth and does not provide food value to vermin.

Do SIPs come pre-framed with windows and doors?

No. The design flexibility of Structural Insulated Panels makes it easy install any number of windows and door combinations. The openings are pre-cut in the factory ready for the follow on trades to fit your windows and doors.

What mortgage options are available when building using Structural Insulated Panels?

The Structural Insulated Panel Building System has Zurich Municipal approval and most lenders are able to offer mortgages. Information on self build mortgages can be found at www.buildstore.co.uk

Contact Zurich Building Guarantee: 01252 377474
www.zurich.co.uk/buildingguarantee

What Is a U-Value?

To put it simply, U-Value measures the rate of heat loss through the roof, external walls and ground floor of a building. Thus in all aspects of home design one should strive for the lowest U-Values possible because the lower the U-value - the less heat that is needlessly escaping.

The calculation of U-values can be rather complex - it is measured as the amount of heat lost through a one square meter of the material for every degree difference in temperature either side of the material. It is indicated in units of Watts per Meter Squared per Degree Kelvin or W/m2K.

Maximum U-Values required by law under Approved Document L of the UK Building Regulations for houses are 0.35 (W/m2K) Exposed walls and floors and 0.25 (W/m2K) for Roofs.

Build It Green Structural Insulated Panels can achieve U-Values as low as 0.22 (W/m2K) or better for walls and roofs.

Build It Green meets future standards today!