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SIP Energy Homes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take a SIP Energy home to be built?
We aim to build most types on site inside 7 days, but this is dependant upon the complexity of the design.


Is a SIP home noisier than a traditional block built house?
No.  All house types are subject to the same sound regulations issued by the DoE, irrespective of type of construction, and SIP houses perform ahead of Building Regulation requirements.   For those who require performance far in excess of those standards, we are pleased to advise on ancillary measures to further increase acoustic performance.


I want Underfloor Heating (UFH) upstairs - is this possible in a SIP Home?
Yes. UFH can be fitted without any problem in a SIP Home, either upstairs or downstairs. You can use any number of current UFH systems - either based on dry radiant system, through a lightweight concrete screed or through a traditional sand/cement screed, to suit your own needs. We will engineer the structure to suit - just let us know your requirements.


I would like a concrete floor upstairs - is this possible in a SIP Home ?
Yes. We can engineer the structure to accommodate either conventional sand/cement screed, or lightweight concrete screeds, at your convenience. We simply need to know this at time of design.


Do you supply SIP Energy Homes all over Ireland?
Yes


What type of foundation do I need?
We can utilise conventional foundation formats, and recommend a raft or slab for accuracy and speed of build.   Being a factory-made product, it is important that attention is paid to foundation accuracy and layout to ensure quick accurate construction on-site without having to make any on-site foundation adjustments.


What are the site requirements when building a SIP home?
In general, there are no extra measures required for SIP access compared to other constructions.  Being a dry building process it is a tidy and dry method of build - therefore no space is required for piles of sand/cement/blocks/water provision, etc.  Suitable access needs to be considered and groundwork’s need to comply to an acceptable level for safe access/egress of personnel and equipment.  SIP Energy home construction requires cranes, so a site visit will determine any onerous conditions on a given site.


What is OSB?
Oriented Strand Board is a high performance, durable, structural board, made from renewable sources. This is used to provide both the internal and external 'skin' of the SIP panel.
Click here for more OSB information 


What Building Energy Rating can a SIP home achieve?
SIP Energy homes can easily achieve an A-rating.  To understand how, we must understand BER itself.  The BER is a calculation which takes into account the performance of items such as:   the building components (SIP panels, windows, doors, etc), the quality of on-site detailing (airtightness), heat sources (e.g. solar, gas, wood pellet, oil, electric, etc), design (e.g. lots of glass, or big windows) as well as geographical and topographical details (location relative to the sea, exposure to prevailing wind), and combines all these factors to come up with an Energy Rating  for the building in it's entirety.   
SIP Energy homes make a substantial contribution to your home achieving high-energy rating.


Have SIP Energy Homes' products been tested?
Our panels have been the subject of rigorous physical testing at BRE UK, the pre-eminent facility for the construction industry in the UK. Testing undertaken in our programme included: Structure, Racking, Fire, Hygrothermal, Acoustic and Airtightness.


What is the best way to soundproof between the floors of a SIP house?
There are many ways to reduce and even eliminate sound through timber-based floor systems (such as ours), with simple steps:

i. Use an isolating tape, or sealant, on the top of the joists, underneath the deck.
ii. Cover the deck with a 2mm layer of sound mat - for example made of cork/rubber
iii. For increased sound absorption, use a layer of plasterboard over that, or a Fermacell based system, and then lay your floors, over.
iv. Insulate between joists, from underneath.
v. Use open web joists.  (conventionally, sound is transmitted directly from your flooring upstairs, through the solid joist, to the ceiling underneath). Open web joists reduce this path considerably.
vi. In general, by isolating that which you walk on, sound transmission is mitigated.  By using layers, of different materials, and open web joisting, it performs even better.
vii. SIP Energy Homes have had the SIP system tested for sound, and the performance exceeds all requirement for both UK and Ireland, including that performance for concrete, including party-wall construction.


Do you have to do anything special to hang kitchen cabinets, radiators etc to a SIP frame house?
No, quite the opposite - a big advantage of SIP is you can attach them anywhere - no rooting around drilling holes trying to find something in the wall to attach to. Another advantage of using the SIP system is that there is less plasterboard waste generated, as you can use all boards and offcuts - you don't have to cut (and waste.) sheets, to line up with studding as in a conventional frame. As it's a solid wall, you can use all the plasterboard, as it comes to hand.


Can the insulation be upgraded?
The panel can be upgraded by making it thicker, or, by lining the inside with an insulated plasterboard.  This has the added advantage of providing a service channel inside your rooms.


Is it possible to make changes in the future - i.e. a new window or door?
Yes, it is possible.  If future expansion is a possibility, even at original stage of planning, lintels etc could be incorporated in the original build to allow for future expansion with minimum disruption.  Unforeseen changes can still, however, be accommodated subject to proof of the changes required by our engineer.