Are you looking to create more space with an all-year-round garden room or highly insulated extension or annex? Here’s why you should consider building with SIPs
Many people are opting to improve rather than move when looking to add more living space. By building an extension, garden room or annex to an existing property, homeowners can create additional space and boost the value of their home.
Traditionally, people have opted to use a masonry or “brick and block” method where insulation is then added to the cavities, the demand for Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) has rocketed as homeowners are asking for better insulation so they can reduce their energy bills. SIPs provide a wide range of benefits as a construction method, including faster build times, durability and thermal efficiency.
Building with SIPs provides a high level of thermal efficiency and extreme airtightness, which results in reduced days that your building needs heating or cooling, significantly reducing energy bills. Additionally, the jointing system of SIP structures offers extreme airtightness, which results in cooler homes during the warmer periods. With household bills expected to quadruple in less than a year and temperatures fluctuating up to 40 degrees this year, due to climate change, now is the perfect time to consider SIPs if you’re looking to build an all-year-round garden room or highly insulated extension or annex.
Below, we look at some of the reasons why SIPs are becoming increasingly popular and what factors you should consider when using SIPs.
It is important to choose a SIP that is high quality and provides a lower U-value
SIPs buildings use up to 50% less energy than other building materials. Ensuring the SIP is high quality will reduce long-term costs as the building will be more energy efficient.
When comparing the quality of a SIP, some important factors to be considered are the manufacturing process of the insulation and relevant certifications. In relation to the manufacturing process, polyurethane insulation (PUR) provides a higher R-value as the insulation is auto bonded to the panel, this method is stronger than the glued EPS alternative. This is an important factor as using a PUR SIP rather than an EPS SIP can prevent delamination issues.
Certification is another factor to consider when building with SIPs to ensure they are high quality
BBA-certified products are extensively tested for structural, acoustic and thermal properties, including fire resistance, which are important factors when selecting a material for your build. Many homeowners find that they cannot secure a mortgage on a SIP that doesn’t have a BBA certificate.
The larger the building, the more panels will be required
However, SIPs create more internal space as the required U-values can often be achieved with the SIP alone, without the need for additional layers of insulation.
Complex projects require follow-on trades
More complex projects will require an increased number of follow-on trades once the initial building superstructure is in place and can be made weather-tight quickly. Using SIPs, which are prefabricated in a controlled manufacturing environment, means that follow-on trades can be onsite faster, with fewer delays.
Considering using SIPs but still have some questions? We’ve put together some FAQs below:
How long will a SIPs extension, garden room or annex last?
SIPs are a very durable construction material and are typically covered by a warranty of up to 60 years (two mortgage periods), although SIP builds last much longer in reality.
What finishes are available on SIPs extension, garden room or annex?
External finishes are numerous and come down to personal preference. You can have traditional cavity and brick or stone wall, render brick slips, timber cladding, slate, copper, zinc, stainless standing seam, etc.
How much time can be saved by building with SIPS?
The time savings over timber frame or traditional methods of construction can be significant if an experienced SIPs installer is undertaking the build (up to 60% less).
The separate steps of timber framing, insulating and sheathing are eliminated thanks to the composite nature of SIPs.
The flexibility of SIPs allows architects to design window and door apertures into the structural envelope, reducing the need for additional supports and lintels. Panels can also be engineered in the factory into single or large-format walling prior to delivery, which speeds up the installation process further and reduces construction waste. Once installed, SIPs are ready for interior and exterior finishing.
How big can a SIP extension or building be?
SIPs can create spaces as big or as small as required. When building an extension, you will more than likely need Building Regulations approval to ensure they meet the minimum technical standards. These standards mean you will need to consider:
- Energy performance – U-values to comply with Building Regulations Part L (updated earlier this year).
- Structural integrity.
- Protection against falls and unsafe walls.
- Electric and gas safety
- Fire protection.
More information on Building Regulations for extensions can be found here.
Why choose SIPs over other building methods?
The main benefits of building with SIPs are:
- Superior insulation provides improved energy efficiency, which reduces heating and cooling costs.
- Installation time can be reduced up to 60% against traditional construction, therefore minimising overall onsite costs due to reduced project management, plant hire, welfare facilities and, most importantly, labour.
- Factory-controlled manufacturing provides a consistent and accurate engineered product allowing for easier and precise installation.
- Offsite manufacture results in less waste on- site.
- Panels can be built into large format walls prior to site delivery, therefore, reducing installation time.
- Up to seven times stronger when compared to timber frame construction.
If you’re considering extending or building an all-year-round garden room or highly insulated extension or annex and would like to find out more, please get in touch with us on contact@hemsec.com or visit www.hemsec.com.
Hannah Jepp
Marketing Manager
Hemsec
Tel: 0151 426 7171
*Please note: This is a commercial profile
