Tracy, J. M.
2000 FOREST PRODUCTS JOURNAL, Vol. 50, No. 3
Tracy, J. M., (2000), "SIPs overcoming the elements", FOREST PRODUCTS JOURNAL, Vol. 50, No. 3.
Abstract:
Structural insulated panels, commonly referred to as SIPs, have fought the ele-ments of extreme climates and every kind of natural disaster and come out on top. Now they are fighting the elements of the human kind: resistance to change and com-placency within the construction industry. It would appear from their growth pattern over the last few years that these products are now gaining the upper hand there too. SIPs are a composite assembly of an unlikely combina-tion: wood and plastics. One would have to search hard to find more unlikely partners, but the unique attributes of the components yield a remarkably strong and stable final building product. SIPs are found where one would expect to see 2 by 4's, rafters, or joists, but there are significant differences between this engineered wood framing system and tra-ditional systems.