Please excuse my ignorance within this forum.  I'm currently researching the feasibility of using SIPs in a new home I'm planning to have built in the spring.  I like the SIP product and the associated energy savings that it offers.  However, I'm a little concerned with the cost vs. stick built homes and the use of icynene.  With so many different manufacturers of SIPs, it's hard to determine who to turn to for the 'right' advice.  Do you guys have any preferences over the type of SIP, manufacturer, and comparisons to icynene?

Good for you. You will save money on energy costs.


Yup, I am biased(And so are a lot of others). Cost? Price out Icynene alone, and you'll find most SIPS to be very competitive. And, SIPS won't have the thermal breaks that you'll have with stick framing and spray foam.

Are SIPS the best solution? That would depend on what you are considering building and where you will be building.

First of all, I believe it’s feasible to build almost any home with SIP’s. That said, the next step would be to find an experienced, knowledgeable local dealer that you feel comfortable with and give him a set of prints and ask for a quote. The quote should be free. A quote will tell you what you will receive for a given price.

The quote should include shipping, professional engineering services (for a stamped engineered drawing that meets all local codes, structural support, snow loads, wind loads), glue, screws, lifting plates, any taxes, and if you wish, an optional lumber package including top and bottom plates, roof trusses or a beam package. The panels should be a well-known brand that has all the national Federal certifications with at least a 20 year warranty.

Make sure that a representative will be onsite to instruct your crew on the proper assembly of the panels and to address any problems. Make sure the representative is willing to work closely with your architect. Ask for references.

To minimize construction problems, keep your house plan as simple as possible. Flat dormer roofs are easier to build than peaked dormer roofs, and they have more interior room. When you get the engineered drawings, have you and your architect go over them very carefully to make sure there are no mistakes. Keep asking questions until you are satisfied with the answers. Good luck with your new home.

Steve Etten
www.GrandCountySIPs.com
[email protected]

KBingham -

I am completely biased and have only limited service with a few of the other companies out there, BUT saying that, I have built 8 projects using ENERCEPT  panels and have had nothing but a great experience with them.  From start to finish, they seem to really pride themselves in taking care of the customer.  There is probably a banner add on this page for them.

I am a general contractor in Washington State and have the Enercept panels shipped all the way from South Dakota because I feel the service I get is well worth the extra freight.  I started out as a customer like you and mainly for reasons related to returned phone calls - chose Enercept to build my own home.  I then built a spec home with them, and became a dealer for them.

Keep doing the research and making phone calls and the the ones that call back in a timely manner (or even answer your questions right away), seem organized and have been around for more than 5 years are the ones to be most interested in.

See other posts on other strings about certain manufactures to avoid (or whom are loved) to get an idea about some.

Good luck
Andy McRea
[email protected]

My business has been using SIPS since 1981. Before that I built high end custom stick homes for 13 years. SIPS are the way to go. Period. We have used Thermocore Panel Systems since 1997. Since we are located in Missouri, we use Thermocore of Missouri exclusively. The up front cost of stick built compared to SIPS is misleading unless up front costs are your main concern. Polyurethane panels will pay for themselves. They are superior to stick frame in every way.