STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS

PorterCorp • 4240 N. 136th Ave. • Holland, MI 49424 • 800.354.7721 • Fax: 616.399.9123Email: sales@portersips.com

Type A

Wall and Roof

Building Panels

for Residential,

Commercial and

Light Industrial

Construction

www.portersips.com

Don’t let the simple appearance of aSIP panel fool you. Despite their low-key looks, SIP panels are revolutioniz-ing the building process in a number

of ways. WithSIPconstruction,homes andcommercialbuildings arebuilt morequickly, simply,cost effectively,

and with a marked improvement inenergy efficiency.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) arethick blocks of rigid foam sandwichedbetween two sheets of 7/16” OrientedStrand Board (OSB) with an industrialadhesive, forming one incredibly solidstructural member. SIP panels replaceconventional stud/insulation/sheet-ing (“stick”) construction withoutcompromising any elements of build-ing design. The possibilities for ener-gy efficiency, design, and long-termcost savings are opened wide withthis innovative building system. It’sno wonder that SIP construction hasbecome increasingly competitive withtraditional building techniques, andone of the fastest growing segmentsof the residential building industry.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLYBesides providing excellent structuralintegrity, working with SIPs also

ensures a high level of environmentalsustainability. The finished productwill have used fewer materials than aconventionally built home, requireless energy to maintain, emit less pol-lution and result in an improved liv-ing space.

SIPs provide superior insulation prop-erties over typical “stick-built” con-struction. Independent testing hasshown that SIP walls are up to 45%more energy efficient and reduce airleakage by up to 90% when com-pared to fiberglass insulatedwalls of the same thickness,making them just the thing foran energy-conscious world.

The panels are more environ-mentally friendly than conven-tional construction methods.The OSB is made from “new-growth” trees, requiring lessvirgin lumber than 2 x 4 con-struction. In addition, no out-gassing is produced from thefoam releasing system, andthe EPS foam core can be recy-cled.

WORKING WITH SIPsSimply put, SIP construction is superi-or construction. Builders have consis-tently reiterated that SIPs dramaticallyimprove on-site construction qualityand workmanship. Because the struc-tural “frame” and the thermal enve-lope are one and the same, supervi-sion and coordination of trades aresimplified. The on-site framing labor

www.portersips.com • 800.354.7721

Let the SIPRevolution Begin

component can be reduced up to60%, substantially cutting labor costsand shortening the constructiontimetable.

PorterSIPs are also easy to work with.In most cases, standard carpenters’tools are sufficient to erect a SIPhome. Wall panel installation can bedone by hand using panels up to 8’ x9’. Larger wall panels and most roofpanels require the use of a crane orlift truck.

SIP walls and roofs can be erectedquickly and made weather-tight earlyin the construction sequence. Fastercompleted shells offer a greaterdegree of security for the job site overthe duration of the project.

Once a SIP shell is completed, thereare no limitations to the exterior fin-ishes that can be applied. Siding,brick, and stucco are just some of the

SIP panels are numbered and have precut wire chases toexpedite the building process.

SIP panels are manufactured to your specifications and fully compatible with most any home design. Porter Corp’s in-house design staff spe-cializes in converting standard home plans to SIP plans. Practically ANY new home can become a PorterSIPs home!

possibilities for finishing off a SIP con-struction project. Sloping roof panelscan be finished with shingles, tile,metal or other materials.

The structural capacities of SIPs alsolend themselves to roofing applica-tions. Flat or sloping roof panels canrun from ridge to wall, or can spanbetween framing members, such asrafters or purlins. When used as asloping roof, SIPs naturally create adramatic (and energy efficient) cathe-dral ceiling on the interior.

Cathedral ceilings are an excellentapplication for PorterSIPs since theyhave the ability to span exceptionallylong distances. Since PorterSIPs alsohave a greater load capacity thanstick construction, they can even actas load bearing walls to place addi-tional floors or ceilings. Many purlinsand beams can be eliminated in SIPconstruction because of these twoimpressive advantages. (See

"Span/Load" Chart on page four orvisit www.portersips.com for details.)Other advantages of SIP constructioninclude a continuous OSB nailing sur-face on the inside of the exterior wallsto attach window coverings, or tohang pictures.

PorterSIPs are manufactured as 4’ x 8’or 8’ x 24’ panels, but can be customcut to any size or configuration in ourfactory. Common core thicknessranges from 3 5/8” to 11 3/8” respec-tively. Special shapes, cuts and finish-es are available.

ENERGY EFFICIENCYSIPs are an incredibly efficient build-ing system in terms of stretchingheating and cooling dollars. A typicalsavings of 35-40% on these costs canbe seen by building with PorterSIPsrather than conventional stick fram-ing. This efficiency is measured by the“R” factor and “whole wall” rating ofvarious building systems.

The “whole wall” rating evaluates thematerial and framing configured in atypical wall. Since framing (whetherwood or metal) is a much better con-ductor of heat than insulation, thegreater the amount of framing, thelower the “R” factor of the “wholewall.” For example, a 4 ½” SIP wallexhibits a whole wall “R” factor of 13.9versus a 2x4 stick wall “R” factor of9.68 (16” on center). The efficiency ofthe SIP wall even exceeds a 2x6 stickwall (“R” = 13.69 – 24” on center) forenergy savings. (See "EnergyEfficiency" Chart on page four or visitwww.portersips.com for details.)

With this marked improvement in effi-ciency, SIPs have become the pre-ferred building system in extreme cli-mates and in areas where fuel isexpensive or choice is limited. In par-ticular, homes using LP gas or electricheat will find a quicker “pay back” byopting for a SIPs building system.

Whether it’s a large-scale commercial project, or a residential dream house, SIP construction saves money, energy, and time, cutting labor costsup to 60% by shortening the construction timetable.

www.portersips.com • 800.354.7721

TOP NOTCH MANUFACTURING ANDCUSTOMER SERVICEPorterCorp has over 40 years of expe-rience in SIP panel manufacturing.PorterCorp’s specially-tooled manu-facturing facility uses state of the artmachinery and is staffed with experi-enced operators. Our laminatingprocess securely bonds the SIP foamcore interior with its OSB exterior toproduce an insulated panel that isunrivaled in its quality and durability.

4740 N. 136th. Ave.Holland, MI 49424Fax: 616.399.9123Email: sales@portersips.comwww.portercorp.comwww.portersips.com

L867 COPYRIGHT ©2004

System Wall Type InsulationWhole Wall “R” Value

Stick 2 x 4@16” O.C. R-11 BATT 9.6

2 x 6 @ 24” O.C. R-19 BATT 13.7

Metal 3 ½” Metal R-11 BATT 6.1

SIPS 4 ½” SIP 3 5/8” EPS 13.9 6 ½” SIP 5 5/8” EPS 21.6 8 ¼” SIP 7 3/8” EPS 28.3

10 ¼” SIP 9 3/8” EPS 36.0 12 ¼” SIP 11 3/8” EPS 43.7

ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATINGS/WHOLEWALL “R” VALUE COMPARISONS

CNC cutting machinery assuresdimensional accuracy so that cus-tomers receive precisely-cut, tight-fit-ting panels.

The structure of virtually any residen-tial or commercial building – roof,floor, and walls – can be constructedusing PorterSIPs. PorterCorp’s in-house design service specializes inassisting customers with convertingconventional construction plans into

RoofPanel

Thickness

ComparableStick Method

SpanDistance

Load in Lbs.

Per Sq. Ft.

(SIP)

Load In Lbs. Per Sq. Ft. (Stick)

4 1/2” 2”x4”@24” OC 7’6” 52 29 6 1/2” 2”x6”@24” OC 11’6” 43 29 8 1/4” 2”x8”@24” OC 13’6” 46 33

10 1/4” 2”x10”@24” OC 15’6” 49 38 12 1/8” 2”x12”@24” OC 17’6” 51 40

SIP VS. STICK BUILDING SPAN/LOAD COMPARISON CHART

Charts are effective as of 4/1/2004, and for comparison (not design)purposes only. Please refer to ICC-ES or www.portersips.com forcomplete current information.

panel plans. With the added ease ofconstruction and impressive energysavings, it’s clear to see whyPorterSIPs are becoming the informedchoice in new building systems.

Contact PorterCorp about yourproject and be part of the SIPsrevolution.

Using PorterSIPs in your new home design can translate intoan impressive 35-40% savings in energy efficiency.