I have read many topics on sips panels and would like to build my new home using these panels. Here in Europe they are not as popular as in the USA but passive housing is hot so sip panels are ideal to use.

I have seen many different prices and maybe this is down to quality or to many people in between the end user and manufacturer.

I came eaccress this link http://www.sipsproducts.com/pricescontractor031510.pdf

A sips panel 4x8 1 side osb 6 1/16 total thickness is $ 53
A sips panel 4x8 2 sides osb 6 1/2 total thickness is $ 77

So the extra osb plate would cost 77-53 = $ 24 (sound like the price I am paying here in a home depot type store in Belgium
2x24 = $ 48 for 2 osb panels this $ 29 for the foam and lamination process. Seems like a resonable price.

Now here I read prices around $3 to $7 per sq. foot for sips. This means a 4 x 8 foot would cost around 96 and $244

Can anyone give me an idea if the contractor prices in the link above are correct and according to contractor market prices ?

Can anyone help me finding an european based sips panel manufacturer.

bbob,
I would not guarantee these prices without a call to the supplier, but they seem to be in line with my expectations. General Panel (sipsproducts.com) generally have very good prices for blank panels.
I am not that familiar with the European market, so I cannot advise on suppliers, there. You might start with Kingspan. I think they are based in England.

bbob;

http://www.potton.kingspan.com/sips/product.html

Thanks for the info, checked the kingspan website and seems very interesting. Produced in Germany using osb3 plates 15 mm 9/32 inch and filled fir Polyurathene foam.
They also seem to have different approvals in germany and other countries and houses have been build using their system.

I read PU is more expensive than EPS but should be better, is this correct ?

Posted By bbob on 18 Oct 2010 10:48 AM

...I read PU is more expensive than EPS but should be better, is this correct ?...

Uh-oh! 

They bicker about that a lot around here, which foam is better. But I thought you would find EPS more readily available, at least in Germany.

bbob,

PU foam is more expensive because it is usually used at a higher density than EPS foam in SIPs. 2.4 lbs/cu. ft. versus 1.5 lbs/cu ft.. PU foam is better in regard to R-value per inch of thickness. On average PU foam used in SIPs has an R-7 per inch of thickness and EPS has an R-4 per inch of thickness. There could be cost savings in using less thick PU core panels in terms of all the connecting and capping plates being of a smaller size.

There’s always been an argument about which is “better”, PU or EPS. The fact is they are just different. Simply put, PU is denser with a higher R-value per inch, more expensive per R-value, comes in smaller panel lengths (usually more connections and splines that EPS and because of more splines, higher labor costs to assemble), it can’t be cut with a hot wire and has to be physically cut and about 80% of the panel manufacturers use EPS. Sometimes, because the panels are thinner, you can get the load on one less semi, there-by saving a little on shipping. Some of the PU panels come with a cam-lock feature that makes putting the splines together a snap, as long as everything fits perfectly. If a panel has to be shortened or lengthened, it can be a problem. Both are great products, will insulate your home way better that studs, the only basic difference is one is thinner and more expensive and the other is thicker and cheaper.

Steve
GrandCountySIPs.com

I'd agree with trigem1 on this. "Better" doesn't mean much It's all about getting all the views, weighing them as they relate to your insulating/building and short/long term goals.

How does thermasave SIPs compare to SIPs with OSB interior and exterior skins in terms of costs and durability on the average for a standard sized panel of 4' by 12' with thickness of 4inches.soji

Sojiolagunju, when you ask about ThermaSAVE, I assume that you are referring to ThermaSAVE's fiber cement skins. (ThermaSAVE used to make OSB skins but now I believe Mr. Haddock prefers fiber cement.) In general, I have found that fiber cement skins cost more than OSB and will weigh more also. OSB skin SIPS can be 8' wide and up to 28' long (more commonly 24'). Fiber cement panels that I know about are usually 4' x 12'. In the near future, OSB or fiber cement skin SIPS should be available beyond the lengths stated above. ThermaSAVE panels can and usually do use surface splines as opposed to full dimensional lumber splines which results in higher whole wall R-value. Personally, I think both types of skins will last as long as the house with the exception of termites eating OSB. I believe there used to be a company in Texas that could use treated wood for skins. One advantage to fiber cement skins is that drywall can be omitted from the inside and synthetic stucco can go directly to the exterior side. Be aware that my knowledge may be out of date or incorrect if I have misunderstood ThermaSAVE's properties.