Opinions Please...EZ SIPS
Last Post 21 Mar 2019 10:59 PM by The Sipper. 10 Replies.
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runt1978User is Offline
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24 May 2014 07:30 AM
I am in the process of formulating a plan to build a 2000 ft2 house. I live in NE Oklahoma where we experience the extremes of both Summer and Winter. In doing some research, I am pretty sold on the SIPS approach; however, being a contractor I have seen the failure of many products that have allowed water to reach the exterior sheathing thus rendering a necessary repair. Then I came across this... http://structuralinsulatedpanels.com It is a system that meshes traditional framing with SIPS approach to insulation. In theory, it seems that thermal bridging would be eliminated seeing that there is nearly 2" of EPS foam on the outside of the studs. They tout a R25 rating for wall application. My question is this (these): Anyone familiar with the product? How does it perform? Are the R-values accurate? What is your personal take for return on investment? Any info or opinions would be appreciated.
LbearUser is Offline
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24 May 2014 11:21 AM
What you are referring to are not really "SIPS" by the strict definition of the word. The product you mention is basically a wood framed stud wall with EPS in-between the studs. One still needs to attach OSB on the exterior sheathing and you still have stud walls. The air-tightness cannot be as good as a true SIP since you have a stud breaking the wall every 16" oc. When you look at the window and door frame headers, you will end up with 2-4 studs stacked next to each other, the R-Value will be a killer in those areas. Their definition of a "SIP" is very loose and would not qualify as a SIP according to SIPA's definition.

If you are going to go with a SIP, go with a true SIP, not these pseudo systems. You might as well just frame a 2x6 wall at 16" oc, sheath it, drop in 5.5" of cellulose in the wall cavity and then add 2"- 3" of EPS on the exterior. You will end up with a higher R-Value and a better setup.




CriticalthinkingUser is Offline
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13 Apr 2015 08:35 AM
Lbear is spot on. If going with SIPs construction, go with a true Sips system. There are considerable advantages and as a contractor (once you learn the procedure), you will love the the construction method. As to your comment about that you have seen these systems fail - that is not the fault of the system, it's the quality of the work. I have constructed over a 1,000,000 sf of the system a year and NEVER had a failure. There is ample examples and resources that can show brick, all types of siding, etc that have failed, you can't necessarily blame system (EIFS in particular). True SIPs is stronger, higher R value, quieter and faster to build.

I have personally seen gas and electric bills at the height of heating/cooling season less than $50 a month in southern TX and Norther IL.
gosolarUser is Offline
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14 Apr 2015 12:17 PM
Ok so it's $100 for 4x8 plus you buy the beams say $120 plus your time to assemble a panel?????????

That's like over 4 a sq

Sorry there are much better deals out there for about $.50 a sq more all cut outs etc.

there are big time thermal bridging with the wood.


richa-774User is Offline
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07 Jul 2015 10:40 AM
The advantage of EZ SIPS over standard sandwich SIP panels: 1. Hybrid combining the benefits of SIPs at 50% less cost than pre-cut SIP panel systems 2. Any carpenter can work with EZ SIPS 3. Exposed inner wall face with snap-away vertical & horizontal wiring / plumbing channels 4. Thicker actual EPS insulation
gosolarUser is Offline
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07 Jul 2015 02:18 PM
So you can build it for $2 a sq ft then, explain how?
gosolarUser is Offline
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09 Jul 2015 06:57 AM
there are about 20 manufacturers, from $3.75- $4 and change.

call around I found several that are very competitive.
richa-774User is Offline
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09 Jul 2015 11:28 AM
Don't get me wrong. SIPS are great and I welcome your input on my EZ SIPS product. There is room for both in the marketplace. However I used to pay $1.50 / square foot for blank SIP panels. Now even if you can find blanks for $4.00, by the time you pay for the routing and accessories for a fully pre-cut ready to stand system you are in the $6.00 to $7.00 dollar range. Then you add freight and on site craning / handling and you are going to be around $10.00. AND you have to find a specialized crew in your area as most carpenters will not touch SIP panel systems or can charge more than standard framed on site because they are not familiar with it. I actually had to convince a european trained carpenter yesterday that EZ SIPS are not a pre-cut SIP system. He said the last pre-cut SIP package he did "would not fit together for love nor money". EZ SIPS also is produced and delivered locally in many areas so freight is more likely to be minimal.
ConleeHUser is Offline
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11 Mar 2019 04:31 AM
I would be concerned with the "air tightness" between studs. Would you not still have to use a vapor barrier?
KevinCaseyUser is Offline
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11 Mar 2019 01:44 PM
richa-774, Why not just refer to your system as a pre-insulated modular wall system instead of a SIP? Because that is what it truly is. It is not a SIP as described by Wikipedia or what the public believes it is. I believe that you use the name SIP so that you can miss-lead your clientele into believing that what you are producing is something superior to what it actually is. Why don't you provide us with the independent third party testing documentation proving the whole wall assembly r-value rating is equal to or better than what a SIP performs at. Also I would like you to provide the independent third party testing data that states that installing the 2" nail base on the outside produces the same shear strength as sheathing installed directly to the studs. When you purchase SIP's from a reputable manufacturer all this documentation is published and available for the clients review. All of this testing and documentation has a price tag associated with it and that has to be passed on to the customer. Therefore the cost of SIP's, because of all the testing will have a little bit higher price tag. Because the EZ SIP system is nothing more than stick framing and it is listed as conventional framing methods in the code books means this system is not required to have the testing data. Just my two cents! Kevin Casey
The SipperUser is Offline
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21 Mar 2019 10:59 PM
KevinCasey - Well said....Not much to add to that.
The Sipper
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