Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturer
Structural
Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturer
Manufacturer
of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
Copyright
2008-2011 Foam Laminates of Vermont, a division of Energy Smart Building,
Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Supporting the Green Building Industry.
A
vapor barrier must be continuous to work effectively, and this is where conventional
stick homes have issues. For instance, most homes have breaks in the vapor
barrier at electrical receptacles, switches, lights, window and door frames,
and other locations where the ceilings and floors meet. A SIP home provides
a continuous foam core that is virtually impregnable to moisture flow.
Inadequate vapor barriers can cause humid air to pass through the surfaces
and cause condensation where it reaches the dew point, often within the inside
or outer wall surface. This is a serious problem because it can cause rotting
of the wood members, mold and fungus growth, and peeling or lifting of exterior
paint.
Building with SIPs traps the dew point in the foam where it cannot access
moisture sensitive wood. In this way, there is no need for expensive vapor
barrier products. Simply put: SIP homes can prevent the growth of cancer causing
mold and fungus, prevent the rotting of structural supporting wood, and reduce
exterior painting.

An
often over looked feature of a new home, is the comfort level of the inhabitants.
Recently, homeowners have reported a high level of comfort with their new
SIP homes. This is not a surprise since heating and cooling is more evenly
distributed in SIP homes as consequence of the lack of hot and cold spots
typically found in conventional stick framed homes. In other words, SIP homes
are less drafty since they are virtually airtight.
Another serious problem facing traditional homes is the lack of adequate vapor
barriers. A typical vapor barrier is some material (usually plastic or a foil
sheet) that resists the passage of moisture through some medium (usually a
wall or ceiling). The barrier helps to prevent interior or exterior moisture
from penetrating an area where there is a significant temperature or vapor
pressure differential. This is a crucial component in northern climates where
there is a great dispersion between heated and unheated spaces.
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