FAQ's

Will Steel SIP construction hold up to nature's forces?

YES! Steel SIP(structural insulated panel) framing is stronger than conventional construction, as witnessed in the 2005 Florida hurricane season. Steel SIP homes are designed to meet the newest hurricane requirements and can meet requirements as high as 155 MPH wind loads for barrier islands. That strength also stands up to earthquakes, and Steel SIPs have the highest seismic rating available from the state of California.

Is it Strong?

These three men are standing on an off cut from a standard 4" wall steel structural insulated panel.

What makes steel SIP panel construction resistant to damage from hurricane winds?

You probably observed from hurricane photographs that much of the damage consists of partially lifted roof coverings and blown out eaves or soffits. The loss of shingles leads to water entry and drywall saturation. The opened soffit allows the wind to enter the inside of the roof. At this point, the roof is in jeopardy of being torn apart piece by piece as the pressure of the wind acts on the many sheathing panels and framing members looking for a weak point.

With steel SIP construction, none of this happens. The metal skin on the top side of the panel acts as an integral moisture and vapor barrier, blocking any rain damage even if the roof coverings are blown off. The metal skin on the underside of the panel that passes over the wall to create the eave is water proof and virtually indestructible. The integrated SIP system does not permit the wind to grab hold of any element to loosen it and open up the housing envelope.

How much energy savings can be expected?

Steel SIP homes can realistically save 50 to 60 per cent in energy costs compared to frame or masonry homes. HVAC units are downsized for efficiency in SIP homes.

Are the steel SIP panels “fire-proof”?

Steel SIP panels are fire-resistant, as nothing is “fire-proof”. In a test to show “burn characteristics” steel SIP panels obtained superior results in the “smoke developed” and “flame-spread” categories. In other words, the steel SIP panels, when exposed to fire, produce almost no smoke and do not allow the fire to spread.

Why is a steel SIP panel better than an OSB panel?

There are many reasons. For instance, steel SIP panels are the structure, insulation and moisture barrier in a single installed unit. OSB panels require an additional moisture barrier.

• Steel SIP panels have a tremendous strength to weight ratio, making them light and easy to install without heavy equipment like cranes. An OSB panel is about twice as heavy as a steel SIP panel.
• Steel SIP panels are essentially unaffected by insects and other pests. Unless you are purchasing a treated wood panel, the wood in the panel is a food source for pests.
• Steel SIP panels interlock without the need for an additional framing member at the joint. OSB panels require a lumber or plywood spline at each joint Steel SIP panels have extremely good fire resistance. OSB burns easily.

Also, since all components of steel SIP panels can be recycled, there is less waste on the construction site. OSB panels are not as easily recycled into an equally valuable product.

The FEMA trailers in Louisiana had formaldehyde off-gassing problems. Do steel SIP panels have this problem?

“Off-gas” means the components of the construction material emit chemical gasses from their manufacturing process into the building environment. Steel SIP panels do not “off-gas” as they are completely inert. OSB panels are made of wood products and adhesives and may emit a number of chemical gasses including formaldehyde.

What about Lightning?

A steel SIP home is actually safer than a wood home. The continuous inner and outer steel skins are a continuous ground to lightning and in the event of a strike, it is non-combustible, reducing the risk for fire.

Will my home look different from everyone else’s?

NO! Steel SIP homes look the same inside and out as any other home in the neighborhood . Conventional materials are used for the interior and exterior finishes.

Can homes be built faster using metal panels?

After the concrete slab is poured, the weather tight shell of a single story ranch style home of about 1500s.f. can be erected by an experienced crew of one lead carpenter and 4 laborers in about 5 days. This would be called the dried-in stage of construction with a water tight roof and all exterior windows and doors installed. The equivalent home built conventionally would take about two to three times longer.

How do Steel SIP homes compare in price to conventional homes?

Steel SIP homes cost about the same as conventional. While material costs may be higher than in a typical framing package, it is more than offset by savings due to speed of construction, reduced waste, and smaller HVAC units.