Installing SIPs - Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturer

Manufacturer of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
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Supporting the Green Building Industry.

Before SIP panel installation begins, it is important to be sure that the deck surface is level and square. Any variations in the deck will transmit to the SIPs. Therefore, it is important that variations in the deck be corrected before proceeding with the SIP panel installation.

The first step in the SIP installation process is the correct positioning and fastening of the shoe plates for the first floor walls. These shoe plates should be placed and fastened to the deck or foundation with appropriate fasteners. The plates should lay inside the edge of the deck by the thickness of the outer skin of the SIP, typically 7/16". At corners, one SIP will run past the end of the other. It is necessary to leave a 5/8" gap between plates to accommodate the SIP which runs past. Contract drawings show the proper layout of the SIPs and determine which SIPs run out to the edge of the deck at the corners. Plates are fastened in the same manner as those used for conventional framing. Placing Butyl Caulk under the plates is recommended to seal the wood to wood connection.

Dimensional lumber often varies in width due to moisture or quality. For this reason, Foam Laminates of Vermont recommends checking the width of the plates before installation. This can also save you the difficult task of forcing an over width plate into a SIP panel. In addition, forcing the SIPs can cause small failures in the bond between the skin and core. Please be advised, that ripping the plates to width is less desirable than finding dry lumber of the correct dimension. Therefore, the selection of acceptable lumber is crucial, albeit more difficult when using pressure treated lumber.

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SIPs arrive on a flatbed trailer. If access to the site precludes the use of a tractor trailer, then please notify Foam Laminates of Vermont before the delivery is scheduled. In this case, an alternative delivery site is required. Please don't hesitate to contact us to help with coordinating a delivery location for your SIPs. We recommend using a local lumber yard because of their excellent access to space and delivery vehicles.

At Foam Laminates, the SIPs are loaded with a fork truck which allows for quick on-the-site unloading if a forklift is available. If a fork truck is unavailable, SIPs can be unloaded by hand, although this is not recommended due to time constraints. Typically, we can unload SIPs from a truck within 2 hours with the proper equipment.

SIPs from Foam Laminates of Vermont should be stored on dunnage of sufficient size to keep the SIPs high and dry. Three 4' wide strips of dunnage are recommended to keep the SIPs flat. As with any other building material, the stacks of SIPs should be protected from the weather with tarps or poly.

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