Hi.  We're currently interviewing general contractors for doing an addition to our home that involves putting on SIPs.  Most GCs we've talked to have never used SIPs are are quite skiddish about the project.  One said that he talked with someone who 'knew' about SIPs and said that they couldn't be cut to fit on-site.  Is this true?  It doesn't make sense from what I've read about SIP panels.

Dan;

a scare tactic by someone that has no product knowledge, typical for a GC to persuade you to build conventional.

we order all our panels raw and cut to fit on site

Thanks for your help!

While they are cuttable, why not order them custom cut to fit in the factory?  You may have to cut 1 or 2 at the end, but most should go up with no cutting.

That will depend upon the GC providing a level and true foundation to install the SIPs on. I wonder if that is the reason so many are unwilling to try SIP construction? No more "slop" allowed on the wall layout.

The impression I got was that the gc thought that once the factory made the SIPs they were somehow sealed and couldn't be cut (his mis-information I guess). I suppose they wouldn't object to being able to trim 1-2 inches on site.

--Bigrig, thanks for the info on being careful to have a true and level foundation. I'll emphasize this to the gc when work begins. This should help!

In Quebec, it is cheaper to cut in factory, manpower is to expensive on site...government regulation


Pierre Desjardins
Banerpan panel
Quebec canada

It is a LITTLE more complicated than just cutting the panel, the edges of the foam core will then need to be relieved the proper depth to receive the wood. Many manufacturers have their manuals online. There are also quite a few youtube videos showing panel modification and installation.

Posted By NFC on 07 May 2010 12:11 PM
While they are cuttable, why not order them custom cut to fit in the factory?  You may have to cut 1 or 2 at the end, but most should go up with no cutting.

Time is the reason, precut panels add at least 3 weeks to the wait time. I can get raw panels in 2 weeks and still have the flexiblity to change window/door locations. The ability to compensate for any foundation changes.

Posted By Bigrig on 07 May 2010 03:09 PM
It is a LITTLE more complicated than just cutting the panel, the edges of the foam core will then need to be relieved the proper depth to receive the wood. Many manufacturers have their manuals online. There are also quite a few youtube videos showing panel modification and installation.

that is not true of all panel systems, we never relieve foam, , just cut

How do you provide the panel-to-panel mechanical connection? A piece exterior to the panel?

Posted By Bigrig on 07 May 2010 04:32 PM
How do you provide the panel-to-panel mechanical connection? A piece exterior to the panel?

friction fit foam to foam tongue and groove joint, all testing is done only with connections to top and bottom channels.

I cut on-site without any issues. For an addition, depending on it's complexity, it shouldn't be too difficult however one should estimate dollars for your GC's crew to do it over pre-cut panel cost.