Structural Insulated
Panels
The Structural insulated panels, also known as SIPs, are high-performance
construction system used mainly for both residential and also for commercial
construction. The insulated panels consist of a foam core which is found
between two (2) structural coatings, typically an oriented stranded panel.
Structural insulated panels are manufactured in controlled factory conditions
and can be manufactured for almost any type of construction. The construction
system of SIPs is energy efficient and cost effective. Also note that building
with SIPs saves you time, money and work.
When building a new structure, homeowners and construction
professionals worry about the growth potential of mold fungi. Mold problems in
structures are usually directly related to a moisture problem. Frequent
moisture problems result from water leaks or lack of attention to lightning and
building details. Forms of interest to the construction industry draw their
nutrients from starches and sugars in wood and paper. OSB panels made of
structural insulation boards are organic and can be attacked by mold in case of
excessive moisture. However, SIPs can be treated with a coating that provides
integrated protection and reduces the risk of mold growth in the skin of OSB.
Building with Structural insulated
panels
SIPs are pre-fabricated components of walls, roofs or floors
that are delivered to the site and can be installed in sections of up to 8 feet
by 24 feet. They are typically made from laminated and pressure-hardened
particle board (OSB) to form a foam core.
Manufacturers have been making SIPs for decades, and
building professionals now use them in many types of buildings. Common
applications include single and multi-family homes, schools, churches, offices,
retail outlets and most other commercial buildings.
Designing and creating with SIPs is easy. The architect
provides the design documentation to the manufacturer or SIP dealer who
converts them into drawings indicating the specific dimensions of the
individual panels. After verification by all parties involved, the manufacturer
or dealer completes the workshop drawings, prepares the panels and books in
advance.
Types of Structural insulated panels
Polystyrene Insulated
Panels
This type of isolation with SIP is the measure for the
insulation. The final R value can be up to 5 inches thick. Normally the size of
these panels is between 4 and 24 feet wide.
Polyurethane
insulation
The Polyurethane has a value of R to be between R6 and R7
per inch in terms of thickness. Normally, these panels are made of 3.5-inches
thickness for the walls. For the ceiling, the thickness of these panels can
reach 7.5 inches.
The Polyurethane insulation panels are more expensive than
the polystyrene insulated panels. The advantage of these panels, however, is
that they can withstand fire and water. In addition, they offer a higher R
value.
Insulating plates
with compressed straw core CSCI panels
The insulating plates with compressed straw core panels are
environmentally safe than the other types of SIPs panels, reason being that they
are made from recycled materials from agricultural straws.
Pros of structural insulated panels
It comes with
insulation
The insulation used in the manufacture of SIPs houses
guarantees maximum comfort in your home and office. No matter how long it is
outside, the interior of these buildings is warm and safe. One of the biggest
wonders of these materials is that they contribute to a warm interior in cold
weather outdoors. And when it’s hot, they help to cool the interior. This
feature makes it very comfortable.
The installation is
fast
The installation of SIP panels is very fast. Creating with
SIPs can take less time compared to a stick. The production of SIP is usually
carried out in the production facilities. In return, this minimizes waste and
labor costs. SIPs are also manufactured with electrical sheaths that are in the
standard height of switches and sockets. Electrical installations are simple and
fast.
SIP materials are
ecological friendly
The SIP building system is one of the most environmentally
friendly systems in the world. You save a lot of energy through your business
processes.
The costs of the SIP construction are similar to those of
the wooden construction. A person using SIPs to build can make big savings. It
will be in terms of labor and material costs. Because the construction process
is simple, labor costs are significantly reduced. At the end of the process,
the homeowner may benefit from financial incentives such as energy tax credits.
Creating with SIPs can take less time compared to a stick.
The production of SIP is usually carried out in the production facilities. In
return, this minimizes waste and labor costs. SIPs are also manufactured with
electrical sheaths that are in the standard height of switches and sockets.
Electrical installations are simple and fast.
Ensures maximum
comfort at home
Comfort is one of the things you will enjoy very much. The
outside environment can sometimes be very rough, that is very cold or very hot.
In a SIP building system, however, you are protected by a thick insulating
layer.
Cons of Structural insulated panels
Fire protection
problems of structural insulated panels
Some SIPs, especially those made of OSB, plywood and
composite panels, do not have adequate fire protection ratings. Buildings built
with SIP can expose residents to a high risk of burns and smoke, especially if
the surrounding drywall is broken.
Moisture, mold and
rot problems with insulation panels
Moisture problems with SIP panels can occur, especially if
you use OSB or plywood liners. OSB and laminate wood are exposed to mold and
rot. Mold is unhealthy for residents and decay reduces the structural capacity
of a building. Panels with impermeable surfaces, such as fiber cement floors,
resist the growth of mold and rot.
Problems with
insects, rodents and termites of insulation panels
Insects and rodents can be a problem for SIP panels because
the moss provides an environment for pest life. According to the manufacturer’s
guidelines for avoiding these problems, the panels should be treated with an
insecticide such as boric acid. When using OSB and plywood it is also important
to treat termites.
Structural insulated
panels are expensive
The cost of setting up a small home with SIPs is high.
Benefits of Concrete Wall Panels
The Concrete Wall panels are the future of the constructions industry. With the daily advancement made in the designs and components of the structures, most people are beginning to employ them in constructions. Their use goes beyond building structures to even roads and bridges. Compared to other methods of construction, they fast to install, takes a very short time to complete and have a low overall budget.
Below are some of the benefits that come with the usage of these materials in the construction projects:
- Mesmerizing Aesthetically
It is one design that has the flexibility and can virtually be created in any style and color. This means you can have any designs of the panels with any color that you feel it pleases. Moreover, due to their mode of installation, they allow for design modification at a low expense.
Meanwhile, you can still use the previous wall panels or store them for future use. What makes them even more interesting are the various finishes which it allows. The common ones include- Form liners, Sandblast, Exposed aggregate, smooth cast, and acid etch.
- Economical
They may be costly when purchasing the panels when compared to the normal construction materials. But what makes it economical is the overall construction budget. This is because: they are easy and simple to install, thus requires a few laborers.
In addition, the installation is fast thus reducing the overall construction timeline. Also, the flexibility in the designing of the buildings using this method is economical. Moreover, the panels require the least overalls costs of construction as compared to using other forms of materials
- Low Maintenance budget
They are very strong and durable; therefore, they last longer and are very resistant to weather elements. This makes them tolerant to wear and tear. In the process, they require the least cost of maintenance in the long run or require no maintenance at all. And this makes them the best choice for almost all the design solutions.
Other materials such as EIFS, which are also used in the building and other structure constructions, are susceptible to weather elements. Therefore, after an impact by severe weather after sometimes, they do require maintenance. In which this can be costly in the long run.
- Efficiency in Constructions process
With these products, once the foundation of the whole building has been laid well, the whole process is simple and takes a little time to be completed. All that is required is the arrival of the materials at the site early enough and the whole process is set off immediately.
The materials are installed each at the destined places and within a short while, the whole process is completed. Bungalow structures are the simplest and take even a day for completion. Complex structures may take longer but not that long like the normal construction using blocks and cement.
- Availability
As a result of being the current form of construction which is on-demand, there are many manufacturers who make the products in advance, thus all you need to do is order and they will be delivered immediately at your construction site. Also, the competitive market ensures the availability of diverse designs which you can choose from.
- Weather resistance
Construction using the normal materials has a limited allowance to allow for modification according to the weather of an area. But with these products, they are made to be suitable for all types of weather. Thus they are long-lasting and not easily degraded by the weather elements.
In Polar Regions or other regions which experiences winter, the products are made in such a way that they can withstand the freeze and thaw cycles. Through this, they are able to maintain their integrity and also resistance to damage.
- Environmentally Friendly
Apart from water consumption, use of concrete also falls under the category of the materials which are the most utilized on earth. With the campaigns in use of renewable sources of energy and reducing the destruction of Mother Nature, its materials are environmentally safe.
Moreover, they are non-toxic and comprises of natural elements. The use of these materials in construction is also energy-saving and with least disposal waste. The energy required is in the installations of the materials, and transportation only.
- Consistent Quality
These products are manufactured using templates in a controlled environment. Thus, they have the greatest accuracy and uniformity compared to any other type of construction method. Therefore they result in the highest state of art building structures, which have precision when viewed at any angle.
The limitations that affect the quality of a typical construction method are eliminated in the factories. The products are given controlled conditions that ensure the formation of a product with the highest quality. Such conditions include curing, temperature, and best material quality.
- Easy installation process
They have the greatest advantage over other forms of constructions such as EIFS, concrete masonry, and bricks. This is because the materials are made in advance. Therefore, they can be transported immediately at the sites once ordered. Apart from that, they are large enough to cover a whole side of the building including doors or windows. Thus all that is required is setting them in place.
Most of the products have been made in such a way that they have connection points which enables easy embedment on the steel frames. Therefore, they require a limited amount of crew to finish the installation process.
So, when you choose this method in your construction project, be sure to save months and week compared to other methods.
- Protection and Safety Measures
The materials are tough enough to resist impacts from accidents such as projectiles launch, vehicle knocking the wall and even explosions. Thus it ensures your protection from such elements when you are in the refuge of the wall.
If that’s not even enough, the products have passed the safety test for hurricane or tornado impact. Thus it ensures user protection during such severe weather conditions.
- Extreme durability, strength, and quality
Rather than the structural strength deteriorating over time, it increases and becomes even more firm. The exterior walls are designed in such a way, that there is no need to utilize the structural components for support. It’s designed to support the building structural load. Also, with time, it is not susceptible to deterioration, deflection; loss of strength and even experience stress and creeps.
Hazards of Concrete Wall Panels
Being a worker who deals with these products is risky. This is because of the potential risks that are bound to occur. The accidents easily occur as much as it’s also easier to avoid them. Most of it occurs as a result of machine failure, miscalculations, fatigue, and other issues. During the entire installation period, the risks exist and thus everyone should be careful with where they are walking, working or standing.
- Collapse or Crush
During the installation process, the products are usually at a high-risk alert due to crushing or collapsing. The panels are usually not safe around people until they have been fixed permanently as the building structure. There have been cases where some have collapse and cause irrefutable damages.
Considering the tones of weight a single block may be harboring, it’s rather safe to keep a distance during handling. Accidents just happen anyhow and when they occur there is a low risk of survival if a panel lands on you.
- Fatigue
Setting the panels’ in place is a demanding job. This is considering their size and weight of the products which has to be set in a specific small section precisely. Also, a single product costs a fortune thus any damage to it means the whole of it has to be replaced to ensure the building structure integrity will not be compromised. Thus the workers are in constant stress to ensure the damage of the product does not cost them their job and salary.
At the same time, some contractors or the owner are constantly pushing for fast completion of the job. When all these stress are combined in one brain, they cause mental stress and exhaustion. Thus can cause someone to have a mental breakdown during working hours or cause one to lose focus at the site. Apart from personal health risks, the workers with fatigue are a potential cause of accidents due to low focus while working.
- Noise
Whether it’s at the factory manufacturing the products or at the site setting them in place, the workers are exposed to constant noises. This is because noisy engines are being used in both instances thus exposing the workers to it.
After a few months or weeks, the impact might not be felt, but after years, the workers are usually met with hearing problems. The noises at the working site Damage the eardrums with time causing them to lose sensitivity.
- Vibrations
Exposure to repeated vibrations is very dangerous to the body. The vibrations may arise from the constantly vibrating engines, power tools and other types of equipment at the site or factory that produces them. When one is exposed constantly to such vibrations, it causes the disorientation of cells in the body. This causes headaches as a result of the head vibrations; also, it has the potential to cause permanent damages to the blood capillaries which are small and week.
- Silica Dust
This is prevalent in most of the construction raw materials. They include clay, stone, sand, rock and concrete blocks. Therefore, the workers are exposed to it either at the factory or at the constructions site.
The dust is spread in the air when the mentioned materials are cut, drilling of the ground or any other form of ground disturbance. Thus when the workers breathe the silica dust, they are susceptible to respiratory silica crystallization and also other forms of lung diseases.
How to avoid the risks
- Wearing safety gear while at work
Ensure you put on safety gears while at work, this includes gas masks or dust masks. This will shield you from the dust from the working environment. The use of safety helmets to protect your head from injuries. In addition, the use of safety clothes with reflectors to ensure your visibility while working.
- Confirm the performance of the machines before using
At times, some of the accidents are as a result of the machine’s failure. This can be due to moving parts failure or even the worn-out chain which snaps while carrying the product and dropping it on the ground causing damages. Therefore, before working or after work every day, bring a mechanic to check the performance of the machine and whether they will be effective in the next job.
- Have a good rest before reporting to work
Personal fatigue is quite dangerous to your fellow workers. It’s enough to enable you to cause miscalculations when operating the machine and ending up dropping the materials on other workers. Also, it may cause you to give the wrong signals which might be fatal. Therefore, one must always report at the job when they have had a good rest and fresh enough to work actively and precisely
- Seeking therapy in case of personal issues
We are always faced with many personal challenges, some of which clogs our minds with endless thoughts. Daydreaming or getting lost in thoughts is fatal and mostly if you are the one operating the machines. Therefore, seeking therapy assistance every day after work is a good step in ensuring a clear mind while working.
- Learn from the experience
Accidents should never happen because the aftermath is always uncertain and devastating. Therefore, in case it happens to occur, one should learn from the mistakes that caused it and correct it to ensure it never occurs again. Also, research about other accidents which relate to that sort of job can be done and proper measures are taken to prevent it from occurring ever again.
- Use of temporary braces
The braces must be used to safeguard the panels until they are permanently fixed. This will ensure none of the slips and fall on the workers. Also, it will prevent any losses that may incur as a result of the accident.