Thermapan: SIPs Beat ICF

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Why SIPS make sense:

The Truth about R-Values
Vapor Barrier = Healthy Home
Building Green
SIPs vs ICF

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SIP Wall Systems

Foundation SIPs

Insulation: Myth & Reality

Performance and Price: SIPs Beat ICF

You've made the decision to go with an energy efficient building system in your new home. Yes, it's a little bit more up front, but your investment will pay off for years to come, especially with unpredictable, skyrocketing energy costs. So now your choice boils down to two alternative systems: SIP or ICF.

Luckily, your decision is easy. Comparing performance and price, SIP wins hands down.

A Typical New 2,000 sq. ft. Home
(40' x 50' exterior dimensions)

	ICF	SIP
Wall Thickness (typical)	11"	6.5"
Interior living Space	Thicker walls reduce living space unless exterior dimensions enlarged (zoning and cost permitting)	Up to 180 sq. ft. extra living space
Cost	More than the cost of SIPs	Less than the cost of ICF
R-Value (typical)	R22 (up to 50% energy savings over traditional wood framing)	R29 (over 50% energy savings compared to traditional wood framing
Building Envelope	Walls and foundations only	Entire envelope (walls, foundations, floors, roofs)
Construction Speed	Typically requires ICF installers with follow-up by concrete pourers, framers, carpenters, etc.	Installed quickly by a single crew. Door and window framing easy on site.
Interior Finishing	Mounting heavy items may require drilling through concrete centre	Hanging and mounting is easy anywhere, even with heavy items
Structural Strength	Said to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes	SIP homes have withstood tornadoes, earthquakes in Kobe, Japan and Northridge, California, as well as Hurricane Andrew