Title 24 & High Performance Enclosure Solutions:Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS)

STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANEL ASSOCIATION (SIPA)

Today’s Topic: Builders & SIPS

Meet T24 Quickly: SIPS are the easiest and most cost effective way to meet Title 24

Benefits Beyond T24: • Shorter framing time/faster close in: 1/2 the time

vs. 2x6 framing (great for labor shortage)• Less skilled labor needed, fewer trades• Earlier move in/sales dates • Shorter financing terms to carry• Tighter structures reduce HVAC requirements

Builder Benefits … Title 24 & Beyond

Real Life: Builders & SIPS

1,150 sf Homes Each Installed in One Day4 men installed in 9 hours

7,000 sf19’ tall walls 7 men installed in 11 days

Fewer Steps + Less Skilled Labor = Install Savings

BenihanaDowney, CA

San Carlos Neighborhood

SIPS 101: The Basics• Turn key structural and insulated framing systems (roofs,

walls & floors)• Large panels (up to 20ft spans), replace exterior shell

framing components (Stick/Truss, CMU, ICF, Steel Studs, Tilt-up, etc.)

• Warranted & proven system (50 + years in the field)

• Factory engineered accuracy eliminates variations found in conventional lumber (straight, plumb walls)

• Large engineered panels shipped to the site ready to install

• Structurally stronger than 2”x6” construction SIPS replace sticks

• Local: Manufactured in California

• Meets or exceeds all required Building Codes

TITLE 24=

Energy Efficiency

SIPS Offer Extreme Efficiency

Air tightness = Efficiency.Continuous Insulated Panels address heat loss (air exchanges) and easily reduce a structure’s energy consumption by up to 58%.

2”x6” Stick Framed Construction

SIPS FramedConstruction

15 Times More Airtight

Title 24 Simplified With SIPS

Controlling air exchanges is critical to gaining energy efficiency. This is recognized within Title 24 and as such, SIPS are deemed to comply and are the only approved non-concrete building method:

SIPS are 1 of 4 Title 24 approved

assemblies offering minimal air leakage

California’s 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards

Beyond T24: Proven Efficiency & Code Approvals

SIPS are 58% more energy efficient than stick framed construction • More than 40 years of in-field testing show HERS

ratings well below IECC required air exchanges/leakage.

• The DOE (through Energy Star) has waived the requirement for blower door tests nationwide.

• Other Code Approvals*: ICC and NTA, LARR approved, Seismic Zones D,E & F approved….

* Not all SIP manufacturers have all approvals. California based Premier Building Systems (Only CA SIPS Manufacturer) does!

Beyond T24: DOE Endorsed

“I get it; SIPs is an entirely different enclosure paradigm and builders don’t like change. 

As a result, builder cost calculations too often don’t recognize the significant savings from the benefits (of SIPS) … not to mention what should be much more satisfied homebuyers. 

But I remain hopeful because there are builders that have made the commitment to get past the learning curve and internalize all of the benefits of SIPs.”

Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect, Dept. of Energy Building Technologies Office, wrote a detailed article for Builder Magazine advocating for SIPS for the building envelope.

SIPS Basics: Extreme EfficiencyAs Title 24 recognizes, the key to constructing an energy efficient enclosure is to minimize air transfer (hot and cold air). There are two ways heat moves where we don’t want it to…

Air TransferConvective Looping (wasted & trapped

energy)

HEAT LOSS CULPRIT #1

HEAT LOSS CULPRIT #2

Construction & Installation

SAVINGS

SIPS Simplify Construction in California

When 3 Work?

SIPS1. SIP = Exterior wall sheathing,

continuous cavity insulation, sheathing for siding attachment

2. Weather resistive barrier3. Siding

Why Use 7 Steps

STICK FRAMING1. Sick framed wall2. Exterior wall sheathing3. Insulate wall cavity4. Continuous insulation5. Sheathing or furring for

siding attachment6. Weather resistive barrier7. Siding

SIPS in Attics & Roofs

The same principles (reduced steps) that apply to walls, also apply to roofs:

• Up to 24’ spans• Large panels install fast• Superior unvented attics

• Cost savings for soffit and ridge vents • Fire-rated assembly difficult to achieve

with other unvented attic options• Proven structural capacities result in option

to eliminate trusses for cathedral ceilings

Specific Installation Advantages

• Faster Install (no studs to find) – less laborers • No special requirements for trades (lower cost subs)• Less time on the job for laborers (less insurance)• Pre-cut panels install with minimal laborers

(addresses current labor shortages!)• Ready to install, less mess & virtually no costly SIP

waste to send to the landfill• Factory cut edges for accuracy and square edges• Every screw grabs – no spinners• Large panels simply assembled, removing much of

the liability of other framing methods

Additional SIPS Advantages

Large strong panels with few seams, virtually eliminate settling issues common in stick framing (AKA - Callbacks!):

• Stucco Cracks• Window or Door Sticks• Nail Pops• Drywall hole repair• Exterior is less likely to get damaged,

sustains less damage & easier to repair• Interior of exterior walls are fully sheathed• No drywall holes, only scrapes• Easy to repair drywall damage

Trade Advantages

Openings and wall lengths are accurate (factory controlled manufacturing)

Offers advantages for subs throughout the project construction process…

• Windows line up from floor to floor• Doors and windows are installed faster• Cabinets and counter tops plumb• Flooring always fits• Millwork installs quickly, no bowed walls

What about Electrical?

Built in chases• Horizontal at outlet and switch levels• Vertical about every 4’-0” or as

requested

Easy to push/pull cable (fish tape)• Can use Romex

Large school in Las Vegas, saved $1M in electrical install

• Consistency in install• Simply pulling wires through chases

SIPS & HVAC Systems

• Reduce mechanical systems • Can use 3-4 ton AC unit rather

than 5-6 ton … or simplify with multiple mini-split units

• Smaller HVAC systems offer significant cost savings

• Smaller & more efficient ventilation systems can be used

Tighter more efficient structures = Smaller HVAC

~ $752~ $1552

~ $863

Warranted Advantages

• Chances are, when comparing warranties to conventional or advanced framing, you won’t find much.

• With Premier SIPS, we offer a limited 20-year warranty* for a building owner’s peace of mind.

50 Years of SIPS Advantages

We know change isn’t ideal. In this case SIPS framing & enclosures offer change for the better. To recap… • SIPS install fast, require minimal trained framing

labor and reduce installation/sub costs• Contractors and Developers have converted and

won’t look back• Building Science experts recommend SIPS• The SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel

Association) has decades of project data available to demonstrate all of these advantages

• Title 24 automatically accepts SIPS – create enclosures in one step instead of seven!!

SIPS In California

• Owned by publicly traded $3B+ (2015) Carlisle Companies (NYSE: CSL)

• Offers sound thermal and structural warranty (not received with lumber)

• Manufacturing for 50+ years• Technical Division to support code,

engineering & design questions• Proven experience & portfolio

Dixon, CA Production Facility & Manufacturer Highlights• Customer’s “Builder Excellence”

and “DOE Energy Value Housing” award recipient

• Green Builder Magazine’s 2016 “Brand of the year”

Thank You!SIPS in the Field…

SIPS & Passive: Menlo Park, CA Home

• Passive home by Clarum Homes

• SIPS Walls & Roof • Reduces energy

consumption over standard construction by 90%

• Similar passive projects by Clarum in Palo Alto, and Los Gatos

90% Reduced Energy Consumption

HERS rating of 100 reflects minimum 2006 IRC thermal compliance

SIPS Simplify Standards: Twin Mountain Home

• SIPS Walls & Roof• 2012 IECC requires < 3 ACH,

SIPS structures easily surpass this and often reach Passive Home standards

• This home exceeds passive house standards (0.60 ACH50), testing at 0.37 ACH50

• Impressive HERS Rating of 32 –A “Great” score according to ResNet (70 being “Admirable”)

Exceed Passive Standards

SIPS Install Faster: RS Means & BASF Study

• RS Means is the industry standard for labor studies

• Evaluated two comparable homes, SIPS vs Stick

• This 2500 FT2 project reduced installation time by 130 labor hours – 55% faster than conventional framing

55% Faster Installation

SIPS: Bellingham Power House

• 2,700 FT2 residence • Won Annual Housing Innovation

award by the US DOE• HERS rating of 15• Blower door test: 0.64 ACH• Received $10,500 federal energy tax

credit • Provides surplus energy to power the

owner’s car for about 10,000 miles per year.

Net Zero energy