We used SIPs for two homes at Uncommon Ranch, a rural property in Michigan. The clients had trouble finding skilled framers, so SIPs were a practical choice. Both homes had their roofs installed and enclosed within just two weeks. After that, their in-house team took over to complete the interiors. It ended up being a great solution for DIY-minded clients and for areas where subcontractors are hard to come by.
As a designer who has now used SIPs on two different homes, I’ve been thinking more deeply about the benefits and trade-offs. Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve learned and why I think SIPs are worth considering for sustainable building.
SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) are a high-performance building system made by sandwiching a rigid foam insulation core between two structural facings—usually Oriented Strand Board (OSB). Imagine a giant cracker, but built for walls, roofs, and floors.
These panels can be used in both new construction and retrofit projects. Because SIPs provide a continuous insulation barrier with minimal thermal bridging, they help make a home far more energy-efficient and airtight than traditional framing.
SIPs reduce the need for traditional lumber, helping conserve forest resources. They also create highly insulated, tightly sealed homes that use much less energy to heat and cool.
One thing I’ve been questioning lately is: How much does it matter that SIPs use EPS, a petroleum-based foam, if the overall house dramatically lowers operational energy use? It’s a tough balance between embodied carbon and operational carbon. But I’ve come to believe that in many cases, the long-term energy savings can outweigh the material footprint—especially in regions where energy usage for heating or cooling is significant.
SIP Thickness EPS R-Value Neopor EPS R-Value
4-1/2” 14 18
6-1/2” 21 28
8-1/4” 28 36
10-1/4” 35 45
12-1/4” 42 55
The key difference? Prefab speed and performance. SIPs are built off-site, shipped to your site, and installed quickly. There’s no traditional stick framing, which reduces the need for lumber and cuts down significantly on on-site labor. In my own cost comparison, SIPs were about 1.5x more expensive in materials than stick framing. But in areas where labor is hard to find or costly, SIPs can save you money overall by reducing build time and simplifying the process. If you’re in an area where skilled framers are plentiful and affordable, though, it’s worth weighing your options.
Because SIPs are made to match your finalized drawings, it’s important not to change your design mid-process. I recommend completing a full set of construction drawings before ordering panels.
SIPs are typically available in dimensions from 4’x8’ to 8’x24’, and come in standard thicknesses like:
One thing to consider is that if a panel is made incorrectly, it can take weeks — sometimes even months — to get a replacement from the factory. In contrast, a framer can usually correct an error on site within a day.
they’ve been a valuable tool in my work—especially in projects where speed, insulation, and labor availability are major factors. If you’re building in a rural location, want a more energy-efficient home, or are exploring prefab options, I’d recommend taking a serious look at SIPs.
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