Members,

I am asking a question as to the long term "prognosis" of an SIP built structure.  We are considering building a new house and I like the SIP concept.  What is bugging me to a certain extent is that SIP's are structural as a whole and not the individual parts.  So, if the adhesive fails and the SIP delaminates there goes the structure.  How do you assure a prospective, nervous client that SIPS are the way to go.

Leonard

This article should help you. It indicates that SIPS should last a lifetime.

We are builders using steel SIPs and tests have shown that the expected life expectancy for steel panels is over 300 years, the tests for OSB panels were not as favorable. www.southernsips.com

I don't see in the article where steel sips beats lifetime but would agree that steel will last longer then OSB. I am not sure there is really an advantage over "lifetime" as you can't take it with you. Note that other important components in the home such as wiring only made a designation of lifetime as well. And I believe the article only lists components as lifetime to an end. And the assumption is that "end" means the end of the home and not the end of the owner. So what if the lifetime of the home is over 300 years? tie?

mmacgowa;

the article doesn't make reference to steel however, an independent lab did "lifecycle" testing for "SIPbLOC" steel panels ............. somewhere in my computer I have that report and will send it to you as soon as I find it