Anyone have experieince with SIP's

[ohdeere]

I'm going to put up a 30 X 40 building. In researching various options I came across this builder. Has anyone put one up or something similar? Any pros/cons?

Thanks

http://www.waynesbuildingsupply.com/polarbarn.htm

 

[Stuart in MN]

My next door neighbor built his garage using SIPs. It was quick to assemble, it's easy to heat, plus it's very quiet. If I were to build a new house or garage I'd go with them.

 

[arb905]

I've used SIPs before. Awesome. It takes the labor out of building and insulating. House is extremely quiet and efficient. A couple of friends and your building is up in a weekend. I'd go with it if the cost is right.

 

[kool55]

My house finished in 08 is a SIP. 5300 sq. ft. Super insulated and quiet. Only problen was the architect did not design a way to run the plumbing and hvac to the upper level.[ His fault, but it cost me big.] Had to make a couple of false walls.Ran freon lines up to 3 air handlers.
A plus is the panels go up quickly so you get under roof fast.

 

[ohdeere]

Thanks for the feedback. Winters aren't harsh but definitely cold. I'm going to get a quote from them and compare the cost to a traditional pole barn.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A cool thing about SIP construction is it's fairly easy to do yourself, along with a couple friends and a hired crane operator. You can fasten the sections together on the ground, then use the crane to fly the parts into place. I remember watching the neighbor's garage go up, they were able to quickly put together sections that were maybe 12' x 20' and then the crane dropped them in place. The whole thing went together in less than two days (and this was a two story structure, with a fairly complex roofline.)

One thing I really liked about his place is it used a big steel I-beam to support the roof ridge. The SIP roof panels rest on top of it, and there's no need for trusses or anything like that - the space inside is totally open.

 

[CreekRat]

Pardon my ignorance but is the roof made of panels too or is it standard construction?

 

[arb905]

The company can do it either way. SIPs panels or truss construction. The OSB and polystyrene construction are stronger than stick frame construction and weigh less too.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Pardon my ignorance but is the roof made of panels too or is it standard construction?

In the example I mentioned, the roof was made of SIP panels. No need for rafters or trusses, just the ridge beam at the peak. For that matter, you can get SIP floor panels as well - I saw them used on This Old House a few years back.

 

[CreekRat]

That's crazy. It sounds like this kind of building would rival even pole barn for build time.

What's the down side for a garage or shop in the 30x40 range? Are they significantly more expensive than an equivalent building with insulation? It seems like even if the material is more expensive you would make some of it back on the reduced labor.

 

[srmofo]

looking at the prices in the link compared to my stick built garage last year, they appear about the same....not including insulation in my stick built.