The Panels Arrive

The SIPS (structural insulated panels) for the house were delivered to the backyard this morning, Thursday, the 26th of August. They came down in several loads on a flatbed trailer from the Upright Frameworks shop up in Wilton and Josh ably manoeuvered the fork lift around the small yard to stack them in the correct order. Tomorrow when the crane comes to hoist them into position, the idea is that, they'll be lined up correctly.



SIPS are fabricated in large 8' x 24' sheets by several different manufacturers in the United States. SIPS are available in different thickness and R-values. We're using 6.5" panels for the walls and 10.5" panels for the roof. Some manufacturers have more stringent testing procedures than others.

My grandson, Caz and I watched them from the back steps. I'm imagining my house being put together tomorrow. I'm pretty sure Caz is imaging that he's driving the forklift.

SIPS are created by laminating a foam core to two pieces of OSB (oriented strand board), which is basically recycled wood scraps as far as I can tell. It's important that the lamination be done correctly and carefully with the right glues, times, and pounds of pressure . . or (apparently) delamination is a potential cause for concern. Josh chose our supplier because they're certified by an outside testing laboratory.

To build a house, builders, such as Upright Frameworks, buy the SIPS and pre-cut them according to plan - so they arrive on the site, ready to put together with window and door openings cut, roofs and walls all configured.

This means that a SIPS building can be constructed on site in very short order. Mine went up in one day.