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 When it comes to putting a solid roof over your head, Thermapan
can make a world of difference to any commercial building
project. With their solid construction and adaptability,
Thermapan Structural
Insulated Panels (SIPs) have become the roofing product of
choice for many architects and building contractors.
Thermapan roofing SIPs are proven in steel frame commercial
structures as diverse as industrial plants, restaurants or
churches. Architects recognize the many benefits SIPs bring
to their customers and to builders. Contractors agree that
working with panels save on time and labour. And end users
in turn benefit from exceptional building quality and superb
energy efficiency.
 St. Alexander's Roman Catholic Church is a case in point.
Located in Fonthill, Ontario, this new church was built using
SIPs for its high-pitched (12/12) roof. Installation of the
21,000 sq.ft. roof was easy, dramatically reducing construction
time and labour costs. In the case of St. Alexander's, its
roof was completed in only eight days.
"The Thermapan system was incredibly easy to work with," says
T.R. Hinan, contractor for St. Alexander's. "We would've
been hard pressed to finish a project like this in under three
weeks but Thermapan panels made it incredibly quick and simple."
 Builders also appreciate the fact that SIPs are versatile,
allowing them to easily top roofs with standard materials such
as shingles, metal roofing or EPDM membranes.
Another advantage that makes Thermapan SIPs particularly attractive
to contractors under tight deadlines is their adaptability.
The integrity of SIPs allows them to be installed under almost
any weather condition while traditional insulation methods
can be troublesome in wind, rain or snow.
Energy Efficiency
With their unique ability to lock out the elements, SIPs are
remarkably energy efficient and can reduce heating and air
conditioning costs. Their solid construction prevents air infiltration
and drafts within panels, ensuring a consistent temperature
inside. As evidence of these thermal properties, St. Alexander's
Church rarely has to use its air-conditioning over the course
of the summer - even in the middle of August. One of the reasons
the architect specified SIPs for this project was their exceptional
thermal performance, which would produce long-term energy savings
for the parish.
 Thermapan's own manufacturing plant in Fort Erie also uses
SIPs in the construction of its roof and walls, generating
substantial energy savings as a result. Air conditioning and
heating costs at Thermapan's 15,000 sq.ft. plant are only $4,500
annually. A similar plant built with traditional materials
would normally incur $10,000-$15,000 in energy costs.
"Our customers are always satisfied with our product," says
Emil Taraba, President of Thermapan. "Once they've worked
with our SIPs, they are sold on the system. So it was only
natural for us to install SIPs and reap the same benefits."
Building Quality - Finishing Ease
 In terms of over-all strength, Thermapan roof panels are able
to resist the extreme pressure of earthquakes and high winds
by acting as a diaphragm. The uninterrupted layer of panels
over supporting members provides two-dimensional structural
continuity with both rigidity and stability.
SIPs also have the necessary bending strength to withstand
live (e.g. snow) and dead (e.g. roof and equipment) loads while
spanning freely from ridge beam to exterior wall or widely
spaced beams, purlins or trusses.
Finishing is easy with Thermapan SIPs. Gypsum boards are simple
to fasten on walls or the panels can be primed and painted
directly.
Another option is to use one of the many pre-finished panels
that Thermapan offers. Panels with pine instead of the standard
oriented strand board (OSB) on one side are excellent for achieving
aesthetically pleasing interiors without incurring any additional
labour or material costs. Similarly, SIPs with pre-finished
engineered wood siding simplify exterior finishing while ensuring
stability, moisture resistance and strength.
So whether you're planning an industrial plant or a commercial
development, just look at the many successful projects that
have used Thermapan roofing SIPs. Thermapan SIPs are clearly
ideal for roofs in any type of steel frame project.
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