Are there Steel sip suppliers/ installers in the north east, specifically Connecticut? I am looking for options for replacing 2 roof sections. Both sections are about 18x56 ft and are exposed rafter roofs ~ 1.5/12 pitch. Rafters are 4x8 Douglas fir 32” oc. The exposed underside of the roof would need to be white. I am suggesting a steel sip may be the easiest/fastest way to do it. The current roof decking is 2 ½” Homosote roofing panels~ 40 years old. There are several areas of water damage and some panels need replacing anyway, so adding insulation over the homosote does not make much sense. Basically there are massive ice dams every year due to poor insulation value of the Homosote panels. In my mind, the alternative would be 1.5” Cedar roof decking + 2 layers of 3” iso and sheathing over the top of that, if we don’t go the sip route. Thanks, Eric

Eric,

Do you plan to keep the rafters?  If so, then you will not necessarily need SIPs.  Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) should work well with rafters since the rafters will be the structural component.  Now, if you remove the rafters, then you will need SIPs, beams, etc.

I mention this because metal skin SIPs may not be available in your area.  But IMPs might be since they depend upon other structural elements and are used for freezers, cold rooms, warehouses, etc. that have structural elements in place.

Posted By eric anderson on 03 Mar 2014 07:36 PM
Are there Steel sip suppliers/ installers in the north east, specifically Connecticut? I am looking for options for replacing 2 roof sections. Both sections are about 18x56 ft and are exposed rafter roofs ~ 1.5/12 pitch. Rafters are 4x8 Douglas fir 32” oc. The exposed underside of the roof would need to be white. I am suggesting a steel sip may be the easiest/fastest way to do it. The current roof decking is 2 ½” Homosote roofing panels~ 40 years old. There are several areas of water damage and some panels need replacing anyway, so adding insulation over the homosote does not make much sense. Basically there are massive ice dams every year due to poor insulation value of the Homosote panels. In my mind, the alternative would be 1.5” Cedar roof decking + 2 layers of 3” iso and sheathing over the top of that, if we don’t go the sip route. Thanks, Eric

Eric,
Most steel SIP suppliers are in the southeast US contact : www.PermaTherm.net

PermaTherm recently supplied a steel SIP over timber frame @46" oc to an owner-builder in Pine Island, FL. , The project can be viewed at www.PermaThermSips.com
the owner installed the panels in just one day

You're looking at an expensive way to accomplish something that is easily retrofitted. The use of a nail-base panel over decking is an excellent option when considering your doug fir beams already provide your structural support. Combined with a T&G decking, the retrofit panel is easily fastened.
Using any number of skin types (based on specified cladding) will allow for fast installation and easy sealing. Having worked in Connecticut, I can promise you that designing a durable and high performance structure is all about the building science and not just choosing a particular panel skin.
I'd be happy to recommend both competent manufacturers and qualified installers.

Al Cobb
Director; SIP school