SIPs Panel Details & Tools
See all you need to know about the technical information for SIPs construction, including SIPs panel sizes, SIPs material options available, and some special tools to assist during SIPs installation.
Timber supply
As Timber costs have escalated, higher-end panel framing options (such as Smart SIPs) are now more cost-effective than traditional 140mm x 35mm stick-framed structures. SIPs also offer proven benefits over stick-framed structures, such as being stronger, straighter, quicker to install and greener.
As building energy codes change, traditional framing methods will no longer qualify alone when building high-performance homes. Structural Insulated Panel Systems easily help building owners, designers and builders achieve new high-performance requirements.
With the uncertainty on rising timber material costs and trying to maintain a budget, now is the time for builders and architects to make the move to SIPs construction. It's the right move for your budget and the planet.
Prefabrication
Smart SIPs OSB Panels are fully prefabricated and, when using our OSB and Cement SIPs panels, all Timber Splines, OSB Splines, Top Plates, Bottom Plates and Lintels are included with our supply.
Panel skin material
We can supply a range of materials for your SIPs panels.
The Skin material options are:
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OSB
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MgO
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Cement Sheet
Options are subject to building design and engineering.
Fig 1. Smart SIPS MGO skin with graphite GPS floor, wall and roof SIPs.
Fig 2. Smart SIPS OSB skin with graphite GPS floor, wall and roof SIPs.
Fig 3. Smart SIPs Cement skin with GPS (cSIPs) for wet areas, and fire rated for 30/30/- BAL 40, floor wall, and roof SIPs.
Fig 3.
Fig 2.
Fig 1.
Panel core material benefits
Smart SIPs has standardised on the Neopor core material as it brings added benefits to the new home for a similar cost.
We have listed the different core options used in SIPs construction as a guide to why the Neopor out performs the other materials for performance and safety.
Smart SIPs Graphite filled EPS (GPS) (Neopor by BASF)
BASF Neopor® GPS is a graphite polystyrene (GPS) rigid foam insulation that gives maximum efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability on construction projects. Planners, architects, contractors and builder-owners benefit from insulation made of Neopor GPS because of the special advantages this material offers. Silver-Grey Neopor GPS is comprised of many small pockets of air within a polymer matrix containing graphite.
The graphite reflects radiant heat energy like a mirror, increasing the material's resistance to the flow of heat, or R-value. Most polymer-based foams exhibit a greater ability to slow the movement of heat as the temperature decreases.
Neopor GPS is in a unique class because it increases in R-value as the temperature outside drops. With an R Value of 1 per 25mm of panel.
Fire Neopor® Plus Graphite Polystyrene (GPS) insulation boards are fire and code approved by UL and ICC for ASTM E84, NFPA 285 and NFPA 286 for use in commercial cavity walls with a wide range of cladding approvals.
Neopor® Plus Graphite Polystyrene (GPS) insulation boards are qualified to bear a label with a flame-spread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less when tested in accordance with ANSI/UL723 (ASTM E84).
Neopor is easy to modify on site and most SIP installers will easily adapt to using Neopor over EPS.
GPS is also an affordable and safe option to using EPS.
EPS
Over 80% of the SIP panels installed are EPS. EPS core material is widely available. It is easy to modify on site and most SIP installers have experience dealing with EPS. It's also the least expensive option in terms of material cost. With an R Value of 0.63 per 25mm of panel.
XPS
XPS has many of the best characteristics of both polyurethane and EPS. It has a high R-value (1 R-value per inch of panel). It is dense and stable yet has a relatively low melting point so on-site modifications are as easy as EPS. Also, like EPS, it bonds easily to OSB and gypsum board. However, it is much more costly.
Polyurethane
The main advantage of polyurethane (or the much harder to pronounce derivation, polyisicyanurate) is that it has the highest R-value of any SIP panel. After what's called thermal drift, it's about 1.2 to 1.36 of R-value per inch of panel. However it is much more costly and more difficult to work with.
Standard dimensions of Smart SIPs
OSB SIPs dimension
Size Width & Height:
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1.220 x 2.440 / 4'x8' (feet)
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1.220 x 2.700 / 4'x9'
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1.220 x 3.050 / 4'x10'
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1.220 x 4.880 / 4'x16'
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1.220 x 6.100 / 4'x20'
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1.220 x 7.200 / 4' x 24’
Each panel size above can be manufactured to the following thickness: 114mm / 165mm / 209mm / 260mm / 310mm /410mm & 610mm
Used for floor, walls and roof applications.
Cement SIPs (cSIPs)
Fire Rating of 30/30/- using our 9mm compressed fibre cement board on each side of our SIPs panel.
Dimensions:
Size Width & Height:
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1.220 x 2.440 / 4'x8'
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1.220 x 2.700 / 4'x9'
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1.220 x 3.050 / 4'x10'
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1.220 x 3.600 / 4'x12'
Each panel size above can be manufactured to the following thickness:
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Thickness: 110 / 160 / 206mm/ 255mm/ 306mm /410mm & 610mm
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Thickness: 4.5" / 6.5" / 8.25" / 10.25" / 10.25”. (Inch)
Types of splines: Dimension Timber, OSB, Light Gauge Steel.
Used for floors, decks, balconies, walls and roof applications.
Smart SIPs OSB jumbo size panel
Size Width & Height:
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2.440 x 2.440 / 8'x8' (feet)
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2.440 x 2.700 / 8'x9'
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2.440 x 3.050 / 8'x10'
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2.440 x 4.880 / 8'x16'
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2.440 x 6.100 / 8'x20'
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2.440 x 7.200 / 8'x 24’
Each panel size above can be manufactured to the following thickness:
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Thickness: 114mm / 165mm / 209mm / 260mm / 310mm /410mm & 610mm
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Thickness: 4.5" / 6.5" / 8.25" / 10.25" / 10.25”. (Inch)
Types of splines: Dimension Timber, OSB, Light Gauge Steel.
Used for floor, walls and roof applications.
MgO SIPs dimension
Size Width & Height: 1.1 x 2.440 / 1.1 x 2.700 / 1.1 x 3.000
Each panel size above can be manufactured to the following thickness: 111mm / 161mm / 206mm / 260mm / 310mm /410mm & 610mm
Types of splines: Dimension Timber, OSB, Light Gauge Steel.
Used for wall applications.
Further information
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AS 3959-2018 Construction of Building In Bushfire Prone Areas, calls for a 9mm cement sheet to be installed over a timber frame when building in a BAL 40 area.
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By using Smart SIPs Structural cSIPs panels, you will be building the structural wall and the Fire Rated cladding all in one action, and then the building will be ready for your final cladding of choice to be installed.
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cSIPs are also useful for bathroom and wet area installation and are ready for your waterproofing to be applied to the BCA requirements, and your tiles can be fitted directly to the cSIPs panel. This saves on the need of installing a cement-based lining as required by other suppliers of OSB type SIPs.
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With Smart SIPs, we can supply both OSB SIPs for your living areas and cSIPs for any wet area applications all in the same order.
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Smart SIPs supplies the correct material for each application in your building.
Panel weights
1.2' x 2.4 | 1.2' x 3 | 1.2' × 4.88 | 1.2' x 6.1 | 1.2' × 7.2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
114mm | 45kg | 56.25kg | 90kg | 112.5kg | 132. kg |
165mm | 47.5kg | 59kg | 95kg | 119kg | 137kg |
209mm | 50kg | 62.5kg | 100kg | 125kg | 143kg |
260mm | 52.5kg | 66kg | 105kg | 131kg | 149kg |
310mm | 54kg | 70kg | 110kg | 136kg | 155kg |
Panel R-values and U-values
Smart SIPs Panel Only
Neopor GPS & OSB 4
Smart SIPs Panel application data
Roof ready to use
Wall application just add the Wall Cladding R-Value
Application | Thickness | U-value | R value | U-value | R-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OSB4 Floor Panel | 114mm | 0.268 | 3.7 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 114mm | 0.274 | 3.6 | 0.258 | 3.9 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 114mm | 0.278 | 3.6 | 0.259 | 3.9 | |
OSB4 Floor Panel | 165mm | 0.182 | 5.5 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 165mm | 0.185 | 5.4 | 0.177 | 5.6 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 165mm | 0.187 | 5.3 | 0.178 | 5.6 | |
OSB4 Floor Panel | 210mm | 0.142 | 7 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 210mm | 0.144 | 6.9 | 0.139 | 7.2 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 210mm | 0.145 | 6.9 | 0.140 | 7.1 | |
OSB4 Floor Panel | 260mm | 0.114 | 8.8 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 260mm | 0.115 | 8.7 | 0.112 | 8.9 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 260mm | 0.116 | 8.6 | 0.112 | 8.9 | |
OSB4 Floor Panel | 310mm | 0.095 | 10.5 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 310mm | 0.096 | 10.4 | 0.094 | 10.6 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 310mm | 0.097 | 10.3 | 0.094 | 10.6 | |
OSB4 Floor Panel | 360mm | 0.082 | 12.2 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 360mm | 0.082 | 12.2 | 0.081 | 12.3 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 360mm | 0.083 | 12 | 0.081 | 12.3 | |
OSB4 Floor Panel | 410mm | 0.072 | 13.9 | |||
OSB4 Wall Panel | 410mm | 0.072 | 13.9 | 0.071 | 14.1 | |
OSB4 Roof Panel | 410mm | 0.072 | 13.9 | 0.071 | 14.1 |
Smart SIPs Panel Only
Neopor GPS & OSB4
Smart SIPs With Ventilated Cavity & Internal Plasterboard.
Walls - Smart SIPs panel, 35mm air gap and 10mm plasterboard
Roof - Smart SIPs panel, 150mm air gap and 10mm plasterboard
Just add your Cladding R-Value for total wall R-Value
Assumptions
Neopor 18Kg/m3 Density - 0.029 λ-value (Lambda)
OSB 4 - 0.1 λ-value (Lambda)
35mm gap - 0.19 λ-value (Lambda)
150mm gap - 0.67 λ-value (Lambda)
External to Ventilate
Material Specifications
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OSB 4 Formaldehyde free
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Heavy-duty structural applications in humid conditions
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Grade EO Formaldehyde free as defined under EPA TSCA is no higher than 0.0499 mg/l
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11mm Thick
Water vapour diffusion factor (µ)
A measure of the material's reluctance to let water vapour pass through, taking into account the material's thickness.
Dry cup - 750±80
Wet Cup - 420±50
Air permeability @ 50Pa m³/m²/h/Pa - <0.001
Air permeability coefficient 50Pa m³/(h.m²) - <0.005
Air permeability of air tightness system using SIPs Tapes on the Internal Joins m³/h/m² - 0.17
Neopor ® GPS Plus
The outstanding insulating efficiency of materials made of Neopor® Plus GPS (Graphite Polystyrene) foam gives engineers and processors decisive advantages in construction projects. Compared with conventional EPS, Neopor® Plus materials help streamline structures through improved insulating results. Infrared absorbers and reflectors greatly reduce thermal conductivity, lowering permeability of radiant heat and providing up to 20% higher insulating effect than conventional EPS panels. Insulating materials made of Neopor® Plus offer a higher insulating capacity using less material. They are easy on the environment and on the wallet
BASF Neopor® has been qualified in accordance with the ICC-ES (International Code Council®) Acceptance Criteria for Foam Plastic Insulation (AC 12).
Insulating materials made of Neopor® have a flamespread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 (UBC Standard 8-1).
Re-use Phase
The reuse of GPS foam from production waste has been working for many years and has proven itself very well. Production residues due to cut-outs or edge profiles can be reused in the production plants. However, for this analysis, re-use of GPS scrap was not included in the calculation of the LCA results. For End-of-Life options, construction techniques can be employed to maximize the separation of GPS insulation boards at the end of life of a building to maximize the potential for re-use. Another option for re-use is to leave the GPS insulation boards in place when the existing construction is thermally upgraded.
Summary
In summary, a listing of all standards required for testing, evaluation and approval of Neopor® Plus GPS insulation boards for use in the applications and markets identified are:
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ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Foam Plastic Insulation (AC12), dated June 2012
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ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Quality Documentation (AC10), dated June 2014
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ANSI/UL723 (ASTM E84), Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
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ANSI/UL790 (ASTM E108), Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
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ANSI/UL1256, Standard for Fire Test of Roof Deck Constructions
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ASTM C578, Standard Specification for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation
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UL2818, GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishings
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NFPA 285, Standard Fire Test for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior
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Non-Load Bearing Assemblies Containing Combustible Components
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California Department of Public Health, CDPH/EHLB/Standard Method V.1.1
Disposal
The recycling of GPS waste to produce new GPS insulating materials is possible if a separation of building materials by type is guaranteed. Ground recycled material can easily be used as a lightweight aggregate for mortar and concrete. It is also used as an additive for PS-light concrete, plaster for containment and light plaster as well as in the clay industry.
Recycling of GPS though has not been included in the calculation of the LCA or this EPD. At the end of its life cycle, Neopor® Plus GPS insulation boards can be disposed of to landfill or thermally incinerated. Embedded energy in GPS insulation boards can be recovered in municipal waste incinerators equipped with energy recovery units for steam and electricity generation and for district heating where available.
Note 1
Engineering capabilities are based on Smart SIPs testing. Each project we supply will include an engineering design provided by our external consulting engineer to your site and building design requirements.
Note 2
MgO refers to Magnesium Oxide Board. Smart SIPS uses MgOSO4 board as it is a low chlorine material Less than 0.01%.
What's a Magnesium Oxide Board?
“An innovative mineral based, environmentally friendly, green building material comprised of”:
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MgOSo4 Magnesium Oxide
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Fibreglass reinforcement for strength
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Other proprietary filler
Smart SIPS Tools (for sale with your SIPs purchase)
SIPs Saw Attachment
Smart Sips can supply an attachment to fit to most standard saws that will allow for the cutting of any MgO and OSB sips panel.
Smart SIPs Electrical and Plumbing Channel Cutting Tool
Smart SIPS have developed a channel cutting tool that will cut a 50mm hole through the EPS of a SIPs panel, making the job of adding additional channels in a panel on site where required.
Smart SIPs Foam Scoop
Smart can supply foam scoops to assist with cutting a recess on the edge of the Smart SIPs panel for fitting a stud in the panel.
This tool is handy for when onsite cutting is required during installation.
Sizes available:
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4" or 90mm
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6" or 150mm
Smart SIPs panel installation
1. Bottom plates are set out and bolted to the slab or subfloor in line with the construction plans.
4. The carpenters can now start working on the centre walls. Each window will have a lintel as specified in the engineer's design.
7. Every Smart SIPs panel has two channels provided for plumbing or electrical installations. This photo is showing the top of a panel with an additional 50mm Chanel cut with Smart SIPs Chanel tool for extra plumbing or electrical requirements.
2. The first corner panels are dropped over the bottom plates and fixed by screws to the plates and a corner joining stud.
5. A top plate is dropped into the top recess and fixed to the panel.
8. The Smart SIPs walls are now ready to install the roof system, then just pop in the windows and the building is locked up in record time. Smart SIPs equals a Smart Building system.
3. The carpenters can now keep working out from the corner by sliding the recessed side of the next panel over the protruding spline of the first panel (tongue and groove). Smart SIP panels have the joining splines installed in the factory for faster installation.
6. With the top plate installed in the top recess of the panel, now the floor SIPs for the next level can be fixed to the top plate. Or if you are building a single story home the roof system can be installed.
9. The Smart SIPs home is ready for your building wrap and cladding material of your choosing.
