BUILDING WITH SIPS?

[Lazurus]

I have the planning through for a 8m x 5m workshop, initially I was going brick and block, but I am considering sips on a brick plinth over a concrete floor. Anyone any suggestions, advice or experience on which construction method to use. It will be a flat(slight pent) roof 2.5m eves not the 3m shown on the plan

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I would like to do a SIP built workshop too...we want lots of pictures please.

I've watched lots of videos and they really seem to go up fast....plus you save a lot of wall space with it being pre insulated too. Will the roof also be SIP....seen a few done that way online?

 

[Lazurus]

If i go theSIPS route I will do a WIP

 

[dobbslc]

Would you need to change the planning permission before doing it?

 

[Roger440]

I did my last garage as steel frame with steel insulated cladding. Pretty simple to do, lightweight (compared to block) so could use a thickened slab rather than messing about with trench foundations. That had the advantage of allowing me to put insulation under the slab and up the sides to meet the insulated cladding. So a ful thermal envelope. Though it wasnt heated as such, you could sit on the floor to work and it wasnt cold like a concrete floor normally is.

I did the calcs and worked out, that thermally, it was 5 times better than the house.

Next build will be the same. Indeed, i will buld manufacture and the frame myself. As it will need to look traditional from out side, it will have timber screwed ro the outside. Iside you end up with nice white walls you can attach stuff too, albeit with a visible frame.

 

[gaz1]

Would you need to change the planning permission before doing it?

yes he would to a degree as it chnages its top design of build the concrete layer planning would be fine

then comes his roof probem as that also would need to be changed on the sides strengthened for the roof to go onto it

so yeah a big change on his plans

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

yes he would to a degree

When I built mine there were rules about "mainly non flammable" materials and the property boundary (within X metres etc)....but might vary between councils of course.

 

[Bullet2012]

Please enlighten me as to what SIPS are. Thank you

 

[mtt.tr]

When I built mine there were rules about "mainly non flammable" materials and the property boundary (within X metres etc)....but might vary between councils of course.

Is written in the building regs easily dealt with using fireboard

 

[gaz1]

Please enlighten me as to what SIPS are. Thank you

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[Bullet2012]

Sips Panel for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Sips Panel. Shop with confidence.

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Ahh, thank you, Structural Insulated Panels. Every day is a school day.

 

[willie.macleod]

Some things to think about - yes they can be stood up on site fast once they arrive, but ordering them and actually getting them onsite can take time. A timber frame can also be stood up on site quickly with a lot wider choice of supplier or build it yourself on the slab with materials you can pick up at a sensible cost from any small town. Likewise with the brick/block option which is time proven as a good option for a workshop. Matching the house style where possible is a good idea.

The cost of putting something on the outside of SIPs can be significant, be it cladding or render on carrier boards. Make sure to cost it, OSB won't last long outside without some protection. With blockwork you can just render it for a low cost/low maintenance finish.

Think about what services you need in what location (probably surface mounted) and what finish you need on the inside (bearing in mind any fire resistance or aesthetic requirements). Remember insulation only slows down the transfer of heat, achieving very high U values for the walls might end up being academic if you have leaky garage doors and only use it for a couple of hours a week.

Worth checking with building control what they will need requiring structural calcs for the overall building, especially if you end up going for a smaller supplier without the likes of BBA certification to just supply the SIPS for the walls.

Look forward to seeing the pics of whatever you choose to build, sounds like a great project!

 

[gaz1]

built in 4 days

3.6x5 for 6" block

coated face and stoned after blocks

 

[KaneH]

Few general pointers for SIP’s:
- generally more expensive than timber kit
- each panel typically needs to be jointed. For walls this is generally by SIPs splines (shallower sections of SIP panel rebated half into one and then half into the other at a joint, glued and screwed). Roof and floor cassettes often require solid timbers to be rebated into each panel instead of the SIP spline to increase load capacity.
- if going this route try and have a full kit supplied by whoever you’re ordering off of as although cutting panels down on site isn’t too difficult getting the rebate cut out of the insulation neatly can be a pain. (Seen plenty of panels hacked to bits by folk not knowing the correct method)
- can be overclad in the same manner as a timber frame can. Lightweight cladding (timber, single skin sheet etc.) hung off of battens, cavity with block / brick outer leaf etc.
- internal services usually dealt by strapping and lining the inside although if a garage surface mounted may be ok.
- most suppliers generally either produce their own products and hold relevant test certificates or use a larger supplier for their panels and can put you onto someone for any certificate you need for Building Control should it need it.

We've designed quite a few domestic buildings with SIP’s now and would say it’s a fairly decent alternative to the more traditional block / brick or timber frame. Just the price that can be that bit higher is usually the problem

 

[Lazurus]

I think brick and block is the way forward - tried and tested and will last a life time - thanks for all the input, made the decision easier.

 

[MG David]

For the beginner achieving a good brick or block laying standard can be more difficult than achieving a good timber framing or sip construction standard. I find lack of skill/experience makes me very slow at brick and block but much faster with timber.