In this SIP BITS episode, Al Cobb, Director of SIPschool in Shenandoah, CEO of PanelWrights and a Master SIP Builder at SIPA, explores the greatest durability factors that make SIPs a preferred building solution for residential and light construction projects. Al is an internationally respected expert on SIPs, offering consulting services and guidance to companies beginning their SIP journey, single individuals independently training or professionals experienced with panelized building system practices.

Al takes a detailed look at the inevitability of moisture entering a structure and the ability of that structure to actively dry. It's not about a "home that breathes". The very low air-leakage rates of a SIP structure enhances the rest of SIPs' abilities: thermal performance, drying capacity, indoor air quality - and these factors make SIPs a high-performance buiding product.

Visit SIPA’s Member Directory to find an innovative leader and supplier of SIPs near you.

Listeners interested in achieving maximum durability with SIPs should download these free SIPA Resources:

• Building with SIPs: Need to Know
• SIP Design Considerations
• SIP Design Best Practices Series (a 10-part detailed brochures series for design professionals and architects)

Join Stephen Munn, General Manager of Insulspan, as he introduces the thoughtful SIP packages the company offers to streamline the home construction process for builders.

SIP manufacturers can customize SIP designs or provide ready-to-assemble packages that help framing crews that have little or no experience with SIP installation. Insulspan also offers training and technical advisors to assist with SIP construction. These expert tips, detailed drawings and instructions are great resources that give SIP builders all the confidence they need to construct high-performance homes.

The SIPA Member Directory includes SIP manufacturers, suppliers, builders and design professionals. Tell us about your project today and let us reach out to you with more details and local options. 

SIPA's third SIP BITS episode is with Talia Dreicer, Lead and Carbon Reduction Specialist with Powerhouse Designs and TC Legend Homes. Talia's work with this well-known SIP builder guides home designs, and homebuilders especially, to utilize the lowest embodied carbon materials for their home.

Embodied carbon is the total emissions of all raw materials through extraction, through manufacturing and into end of life. With the help of EPDs (environmental product declarations) and LCAs (life cycle assessments), CO2e estimates on a growing number of homes are made possible. Talia can calculate all (or most) emissions before the home is used. 

Join SIPA and Talia as we normalize the conversation on embodied carbon. Check out SIPA’s Sustainability page to download the SIP EPD, and for additional building science material, visit our LCA list.

Talia’s career path is part of a growing field in net-zero design and engineering. Visit TC Legend Homes to learn more about their award-winning SIP designs.

This episode of the SIP BITS Podcast is with Al Cobb, Director of SIPschool in Shenandoah and CEO of PanelWrights, a Master SIP Builder at SIPA. Al is an internationally respected expert on SIPs, offering consulting services and guidance to companies beginning their SIP journey or training to single individuals.

Listen in as Al dicusses cross-laminated timbers (CLTs) and how they work as a companion product with SIPs and nail-based SIPs. CLTs offer extreme strength and durability and an aesthetic appeal while SIPs provide the tight, high R-value and code compliant system.

Check out this SIP Sail Training Center in Rhode Island for project inspiration that couples SIPs and CLTs.

You can also download the Retrofit Insulated Panel Installation Guide for nail-based SIPs to compliment CLTs.

The market for building materials is always changing. This second episode of the SIP BITS Podcast is with Al Cobb, Director of SIPschool in Shenendoah and CEO of PanelWrights, a Master SIP Builder at SIPA. Al is an internationally respected expert on SIPs, offering consulting services and guidance to companies beginning their SIP journey or training to single individuals.

Questions/topics discussed in this episode:

What are some of the new types of facers for SIPs on the market? Is MGO (magnesium oxide) still a viable facer alternative to OSB? What can building professionals take away from the tests and building science conducted on SIPs?

Visit SIPA's website for more information on SIP Installation Speeds, Sustainability or Builder Resources. Check out a SIP Manufacturer near you.

Sam Rashkin talks about the future of housing and the four crises converging to cause change in the building industry. SIPs are the solution to each of these problems:

Consumer Expectations / User Experience Affordable Housing Shortage of Trade Workers Productivity

The collective pain of these four problems point to SIPs as the clear housing solution. SIPs are faster, better and cheaper. They minimize waste and complexity as well as streamline the experience for builders and homeowners.

Visit SIPA's website for more information on SIP Installation Speeds, Sustainability or check out a SIP Manufacturer near you.