Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) have been used for homebuilding in Canada for over a decade, but it is just recently that we saw the first such home build in Kamloops. Sitting at the corner of Linfield Dr and Aberdeen Way, this energy-efficient home looks much like others in the area. But its innovative, energy-saving construction has people talking about the benefits of SIPS, from how quickly a SIPS home can be build to the long-term benefits of using this creative product.
First of all, let's start with a little background. SIPS are a Canadian invention that have been around since the late 1990's. They a constructed from sheets of OSB wood that are structurally laminated to a core of high-density rigid expanded polystyrene foam. The newest generation of these panels are prebuilt at a factory here in Kamloops, then taken via trailer to the home site. These pre-fabricated panels allows for quite a bit of flexibility in construction; they support virtually any combination of doors and windows and can be cut into any number of shapes to support a variety of home styles. Due to much of the fabrication being done inside the factory, SIPS homes are constructed in a fraction of the time of traditional stud construction. In fact, it is quite common that a SIPS home can advance from bare foundation to ready for doors and windows in only a day or two.
Although it may sound strange to have a home build with foam, these homes are tough. In fact, the use of SIPS results in very straight walls and has eliminated the typical dips and bows seen in standard stud construction. The hardness of the walls also allows homeowners more flexibility in decorating and building out areas since you no longer need to find a stud to hand a shelf or heavy pictures since the wall is equally strong at all points.
The biggest long term benefit of using SIPS is the energy efficiency. The use of SIPS eliminates gaps in walls, ceilings, and joints, providing for less wasted space and a more airtight, energy-efficient home. In fact, owners report saving up to 40% annually in energy costs. Although the cost of building a SIPS home can be 10% higher than a traditional home, that increased initial cost can be quickly recovered in energy expense savings.
With the first home using SIPS now up in Kamloops, we can only wonder what the future will hold for home construction in our area. Will builders and potential homeowners be comfortable with this technology, or will they stick to traditional technology? With today's focus on being more green and conserving energy, it is very possible that many more people will follow suit and use this product. But, we will have to wait and see.
When you are ready to relocate to the area, call Eric Putoto! You can find information for buying a Kamloops home at Platinum Realty Inc.
Eric Putoto is the ONLY Canadian Realtor and Brokerage owner to have been granted an exclusive license for the most advance home selling system ever developed: The "Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) have been used for homebuilding in Canada for over a decade, but it is just recently that we saw the first such home build in Kamloops. Sitting at the corner of Linfield Dr and Aberdeen Way, this energy-efficient home looks much like others in the area. But its innovative, energy-saving construction has people talking about the benefits of SIPS, from how quickly a SIPS home can be build to the long-term benefits of using this creative product.
First of all, let's start with a little background. SIPS are a Canadian invention that have been around since the late 1990's. They a constructed from sheets of OSB wood that are structurally laminated to a core of high-density rigid expanded polystyrene foam. The newest generation of these panels are prebuilt at a factory here in Kamloops, then taken via trailer to the home site. These pre-fabricated panels allows for quite a bit of flexibility in construction; they support virtually any combination of doors and windows and can be cut into any number of shapes to support a variety of home styles. Due to much of the fabrication being done inside the factory, SIPS homes are constructed in a fraction of the time of traditional stud construction. In fact, it is quite common that a SIPS home can advance from bare foundation to ready for doors and windows in only a day or two.
Although it may sound strange to have a home build with foam, these homes are tough. In fact, the use of SIPS results in very straight walls and has eliminated the typical dips and bows seen in standard stud construction. The hardness of the walls also allows homeowners more flexibility in decorating and building out areas since you no longer need to find a stud to hand a shelf or heavy pictures since the wall is equally strong at all points.
The biggest long term benefit of using SIPS is the energy efficiency. The use of SIPS eliminates gaps in walls, ceilings, and joints, providing for less wasted space and a more airtight, energy-efficient home. In fact, owners report saving up to 40% annually in energy costs. Although the cost of building a SIPS home can be 10% higher than a traditional home, that increased initial cost can be quickly recovered in energy expense savings.
With the first home using SIPS now up in Kamloops, we can only wonder what the future will hold for home construction in our area. Will builders and potential homeowners be comfortable with this technology, or will they stick to traditional technology? With today's focus on being more green and conserving energy, it is very possible that many more people will follow suit and use this product. But, we will have to wait and see.
When you are ready to relocate to the area, call Eric Putoto! You can find information for buying a Kamloops home at Platinum Realty Inc.
Eric Putoto is the ONLY Canadian Realtor and Brokerage owner to have been granted an exclusive license for the most advance home selling system ever developed: The The "Maximum Value Home Selling & Buying SystemsTM"
Comments(0)