A home constructed using SIPs can be erected up to 60% faster than traditionally constructed buildings. SIPs create a lightweight shell structure (approximately 25Kg/m²), they’re easy to handle and extremely quick to assemble once a foundation slab or footings have been installed.
With a dedicated project manager and a professional team of site technicians, construction takes between 10-15 working days depending on the size and complexity of the build and weather conditions. Your project manager will visit your site on a regular basis to ensure the quality, and progress of installation remains on track and safe working method are maintained. We carry out site specific risk assessments and method statements for all projects, identifying and controlling hazards both before we arrive and dynamically whilst onsite.
Installation
SIPs installation process
A typical installation begins with the laying out and fixing of the sole timber plates onto which the SIPs walls are fixed. The walls then rapidly assemble forming the ground floor onto which the first-floor cassette of metal-web joists and engineered particleboard flooring are fixed ready for the first-floor walls to be added. When the top floor is installed, the glue-lam timber ridge beams are lifted into place so that the roof panels can be fixed.
On completion, the walls and roof are wrapped in thick, protective and breathable membrane ready for your cladding and roofing contractors to work on. Once non-load bearing walls and windows are installed, the house will be wind and weathertight and ready for inspection. Of course, in the wet and windy British climate, there’s still a risk of water ingress until claddings and exterior finishes are completed.
Throughout the installation process, other trades such as electricians and plumbers can start on-site much sooner than compared with traditional builds.
First-fix services
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Incoming mains services are installed on a SIPs structure in exactly the same way they would be on a traditional build by utilising a service mounted meter box to the outside of the property Inset meter boxes can also be mounted but need to be considered at the design stage. With regard to running wiring and pipework internally, it couldn’t be easier, all internal stud work is simply drilled through the vertical studs to termination points, and simply clipped to the face of the SIP panels, a service void is then formed by battening off the sips walls on to which the plasterboard is then fixed.