Installing SIPs Structural Insulated Panels SIP Home

Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturer

Manufacturer of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
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The best place to start installation is with the two SIPs at a corner. This provides bracing right from the start. SIPs at the corner must have the foam core coped back to accept a 2x nailer. The nailer should be installed in the SIP which stops short of the corner and should be left out of the SIP which runs through to the outside edge of the deck. This allows easy access to wire the building from the corners. Wood to wood connections, such as the corner nailers against the panel side, should be sealed with butyl caulk. The exterior nailer is installed after wiring is complete. All vertical nailers will need to be notched or drilled to allow passage of wiring. Align the notch so it matches the electrical channel cut in the SIP.

There are two main methods for installing SIPs. The first is individual SIP installation. The second is gang SIP installation. In individual SIP installation, each panel is placed adjacent to the previous panel in a logical progression. In gang SIP installation groups of SIPs are assembled flat on the floor deck and then raised into place. Gang installation works best for long straight runs of a wall, when you have enough manpower to lift large sections of SIP wall safely.

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Individual SIPs are placed over the plate on the floor after a 1/2" diameter bead of spray foam is applied to the plate. Each SIP is checked for plumb and fit. It is then nailed off at the plate with 8d ring shank nails or equivalent fasteners. Double surface splines connect each SIP wall to its neighbor. The splines are delivered in 8' lengths. Splines should be cut to a length that is 3" shorter than the SIP wall height. This will keep the splines from interfering with the top plates. It is not necessary to have a single piece spline. Multiple pieces may be used to make up the proper length.

In gang installations groups of SIPs may be fabricated on the floor deck and lifted into place by hand or mechanical advantage. The number of SIPs that can be grouped together is limited by the ability to lift them into place. Fabricating the walls requires using the bottom plate as a straightedge. By nailing a 2x firmly to the deck and squaring to the bottom plate, the SIPs can lay side by side and are thus matching the long edges to form the wall section. At this point, the splines are installed as the SIPs are ganged together. To assure the SIPs are tight use wedges to drive them together. By ripping diagonally along a 1' length of 2x6 you can create these wedges. A couple of sets of wedges may be needed. Nail one side of the wedge to the deck next to the SIPs and then drive the other half between the fixed side and the SIPs. Make sure that the SIPs are squared up properly and then nail off the splines on the top side of the SIPs. Install a top plate in the wall section to ensure it will be stiff enough to be lifted. The wall section can now be lifted into place over a foam bead on the bottom plate.

Raise the SIP into place and fasten them to the bottom plate as specified by the construction details. If the SIPs must be shifted along the plate, before they are fastened, the SIPs can be moved with a sledgehammer and a pieces of scrap lumber. The SIPs are quite sturdy but they should be braced as with a conventional wall for safety. When a sufficient length of the wall has been erected, a top plate should be installed. Check the level of the top plate and make any corrections necessary to assure a level top plate. Foam beneath the top plate to assure a tight seal. The doubler should be installed after the entire wall system is erected. Layout the doubler to allow for the interconnection of interior walls and stagger the joints between the top plate and doubler.

Do not foam the SIP walls until windows and doors are installed and all splines are fastened. Electrical wiring should be completed before foaming the joints as well. The foam can expand into electrical channels and foul the wiring process of the SIP.

Installing wall panels is very easy when you choose SIPs from Foam Laminates.

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