Structural Insulated Panels (SIP's)

SIP’s are a composite of familiar construction materials fashioned into the fastest, most cost effective and energy efficient method to enclose Timber Frames. Various sources call them "stress-skin panels" or "curtain wall panels". As we are almost always working with true structural panels, we prefer SIP's to describe our system. By structural panels we mean just that. These panels are strong enough, and designed to be used, as structural load bearing panels. Entire buildings are now being built from these panels, without additional framing.

The SIP’s we use are an assembly of interior and exterior “skins” with a foam core between. Our standard panel configuration provides us with a true insulating value of “R”27.5 at walls and roofs. We can also go beyond these values if you wish!

We apply the panels to the outside of the timbers, both walls and roofs. This system provides an uninterrupted insulation curtain unbroken by framing members. The very nature of the insulating foam core and the detail of the panel seams provide an uninterrupted vapor retarder as well as great sound deadening properties. SIP's also make the task of meeting "green" or energy efficient certification easier.

For more on how we work with SIP's, and links to more information, see the panels below!

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What We Do

When we start looking at SIP's for your project we begin by evaluating your interior finish choices and the required insulation values.

The panels are available with a variety of skin options which allows Timberworks to choose the form best suited to your design. We typically install your interior finishes separate from the panels themselves.

After selecting the finishes and panel construction combinations we do a complete design layout, including the electric plan, and create a material list for ordering.

Timberworks purchases our panels as "board stock". What this means is that we buy all plain panels; we provide all cutting, edge treatments, joining details and electric provisions. We have some unique ways of working with panels, and personally believe that "wire chases" are a nuisance and very limiting.

Once the panels arrive at our yard we layout and shape them to fit your project. This includes integrating ALL the electric work into the panels. When we complete a SIP installation there are no surface raceways, built-up baseboard details or exposed conduits. Your switches & receptacles are located where you want them.

We also cut and prepare all the window & door openings in preparation for installation. Our installation always includes cutting the openings and framing them in. Everything is prepared for your building paper, flashing and window or door install!

Once this work is complete we re-bundle the panels for shipment, bring them to your site and complete the installation.

As a point of necessity, many of your interior finishes are applied as the SIP's are installed. This yields the highest degree of finish and allow for attractive interfaces between timbers, paneling & drywall. This also allows us to integrate ANY interior finish you desire at your ceilings or walls!

Our panel joints are sealed with expanding foam and ALWAYS trimmed flush by our crew. Also, unless we know that roofing will begin immediately, we always provide a temporary covering on the roof. We don't want OUR, oh, we mean YOUR timbers getting stained!

In most cases we also provide and install the cold roof - this system is required to ventilate your roof, not the panels themselves, as well as helping alleviate ice-dam concerns.

Designing & installing SIP's at Timberworks is viewed as a real love/hate relationship. We love the efficiency of the system, both from a material & labor aspect, as well as from an energy-efficient standpoint. We love how quickly we are able to get a project under cover. We love how easy it is to qualify for "green" certification or energy saving tax incentives. We love how they allow us to fully expose our timbers to the interior of your home. We hate how bulky and unwieldy the panels are. We hate the inaccuracies (remember, we are used to very close tolerances with Timber Framing!). We hate how dusty they are to work with.

The long and short of it, however, is that the love outweighs the hate! They are nasty to work with, but they add so much to our projects that we need to provide this service. The structural requirements of the panels must be met. The joint details must be correct and executed properly. The final sealing must be completed right or vapor drive and moisture damage will result. Working panels requires specialized tools and skills. This is why we insist on installing our own panel systems.

At the completion of your SIP installation, your project is ready for interior and exterior finishes. Some Client's undertake this work themselves, some work with outside contractors, while others select to have Timberworks provide some, or all, of what is needed.

All of our SIP installations also include specifications for the required Heat Recovery, or Energy Recovery Ventilation system (HRV/ERV). Unless the materials and installation are being provided by Timberworks, be sure to review the specifications and requirements and get the system installed for both your families health and the health of your home.

Please see our "Working With Us" pages to get started!