I'm an architect working on a custom residential project in southern AZ. It will include many different building systems, including SIPs and (sub-grade) ICFs. The majority of the SIPs will have a cement or synthetic stucco exterior finish. While researching how best to accomplish this it occured to me that the ideal SIP panel would have an exterior CFB skin and an interior OSB skin. The CFB exterior would eliminate several "trips around the building" for finishing, and the interior (with either plaster or GWB finish) would remain relatively inhabitant friendly (ie, hanging things on walls, etc.) Does anyone know of a SIP mfr'r who does (or could) manufacture such a beast? Thanks.

I believe ICS (Insulated Component Structures) will do this. Their panels are all PU. There is a factory in Colorado, and I think one in Florida. BTW, I am using them for my timber/sip home, but with dual OSB skins.

cfb= cement fber board? There are a number of companies that make such a beast. I believe most companies can offer OSB based siding for the exterior like Smartpanels as they qualify for OSB testing.

I know fine wood workers are very sensitive to haveing matching veneers on both sides of a plywood panel to keep everything shrinking and expanding the same, therefore preventing warpage. Would that be a concern with different material here? Yes, I realize that furniture is all inside 1 enviornment (all indoors) and SIPS are 1/2 indoor and 1/2 outdoor, but would this be a concern?

Mike;

It is true that SIPS are 1/2 indoor and 1/2 out and the foam core absorbs any of the expansion difference issues.
I think that a regular wood stud wall has more warpage and expansion issues as the stud is the thermal transmission link from inside to outsde.
While a solid core of foam in a panel isolates those extremes

This is an interesting thread. We have manufactured urethane SIP's in Southern AZ for over 13 years and although we have never made one with CFB, I think the other comments regarding shrinkage may well be an issue.

Years ago tested some with Fiber-rock on the interior skin and saw the same problem with warping.

We've done quite a few projects with T1-11 on both the exterior or interior skins. Since it's plywood it seemed to act much like OSB, and we had no problems.

The reason we avoid doing future projects with finished skins is that the maintain you siding pattern on the skin (especially in wall panels) you end-up with a lot of waste and therefore added cost. It's also extremely difficult to prevent minor nicks and scratches etc. during manufacturing and shipping. Not a problem with OSB since it's going to be convered anyway, but a pain if it's going to be your final finish.

Feel free to contact me personally if we can provide pricing etc. on SIP's.

Thanks,
Craig Boydell
Project Manager
KC Panels
520-647-0961