‘Structural Insulated Panels’

are they the sustainable solution to standard light framed load-

bearing construction in New Zealand ?

www.portersips.com/STRUCTURAL/SIPS_house12b.jpg

Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPs)

Construction

The panels are slotted together to form the structurestructure of the building

– without framing

http://www.precisionpanel.com

Structurally Insulated Panel Systems (SIPs)

Can be used as: • Walls• Floors• Roofs• Interior walls• Additions to other

construction systems

Kingspan

Claims for SIPs by manufacturers and suppliers are similar

• Energy efficient

• Renewable

• Waste efficient

• Healthywww.greenlibdems.org.uk

Systems of measuring sustainable building

• BREEAM • EPBD

• BEPAC

• LEED

• GBP

Standard for measuring sustainable building

• Sustainable site planning

• Safeguard water and water efficiency

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy

• Conservation of materials and resources

• Material toxicity and emissions

• Waste reduction

• Indoor environmental air quality

Standard for measuring sustainable building

• Sustainable site planning• Safeguard water and water efficiency

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy

• Conservation of materials and resources

• Material toxicity and emissions• Waste reduction• Indoor environmental air quality

Claims for SIPs by manufacturers and suppliers are similar

• Energy efficient

• Renewable

• Waste efficient

• Healthy

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy

• Conservation of materials and resources

• Waste reduction

• Material toxicity and emissions

• Indoor environmental air quality

Research QuestionResearch Question

Are SIPs the sustainable solution to standard light framed load-bearing construction in New Zealand?

New Zealand light timber frame house construction

• 90% of all new houses in NZ• From softwood plantation timber• Framing comprises 15-25% of the wall • Treated with CCA• Manufactured from 60% of the tree • Large amount of waste generated • Requires insulation• Subject to settlement creating draughts

www.woodengineering.com

Structural Insulated Panels systems (SIPs)

• From fast growth plantation timbers• Foam insulation from petroleum industry• Comprises all of the wall excluding exterior

cladding• Timber panel and plastic foam are both

chemically treated.• Engineered wood panels use of 90% of the tree • Very little waste generated• Excellent insulation and air tightness capabilities

files.servicemagic.com

Energy efficient

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

Whole Wall Thermal Resistance of SIPsCompared to Light Timber Framing

Whole wall r-value (K-m2/W)

SIP Light timber

Renewable

• Timber is plantation growth – renewable

• Insulation can be renewable material

• Timber is plantation growth

• Insulation is recyclable but not renewable

www.greenbuilders.com

www.goodfellowinc.com

Waste efficient

• Construction waste makes up 50 % of all landfill content, 38% is timber and wood fibre

• SIPs generate less waste – in primary processing

stages– in secondary processing

stages– in construction phase

Healthy

• Manufacturing health risks with both processes

• Construction health risks are reduced with SIPs

• SIPs construction is more air tight

• SIPs have greater thermal resistance

• Humidity control is easier with SIPs

Ecological/Environment

Equity (society)Economic

SUSTAINABILITY

Are SIPs the sustainable construction solution in NZ?

• Timber surplus• Limited petrochemical

industry• Skilled labour shortages

Relatively low cost of labour

• Inefficient transport network

• Timber shortage• Petrochemical industry• Skilled labour

shortages• High cost of labour• Efficient land transport

network • Demand for reduced

construction period

Conclusion

SIPs are not currently the sustainable solution to standard light framed load-bearing construction in New Zealand

However…..

www.niksula.hut.fi/~haa/kobe/earthq3.jpg blog.lewrockwell.com