Hurricane Resisting Structures

What is a SIP Panel Home?

Structural Insulated Panels (or structural insulated panels), SIPs are made using insulated 1 lb. density foam core of expanded polystyrene (EPS) that is between two skins of durable, high quality .019 (26 gauge) galvalume metal.  The panels are designed to snap together with an interlocking system that not only reduces the time and cost of erecting structures, but also creates a weatherproof, insulated barrier.

SIP homes earn the Energy Star Rating for great savings in heating and air cooling your home.

In Metal Mag’s March 2007 issue about R.K. Stewart, the president of the Washington, D.C. – based American Institute of Architects (AIA) this is what was said. 

A PRESIDENT’S FOCUS 
SUSTAINABILITY, COLLABORATION, MEASURABILITY TOP R.K. STEWART’S LIST 
BETTER ENVIRONMENT 

One of his efforts is to get more people to understand the major impact buildings have on the environment and how architects can help change that. 

“Building are responsible for 76 percent of electrical energy consumption and 48 percent of energy consumption overall.  Transportation is only 24 percent, so it’s not cars but houses and office buildings that use more energy and have greater emissions.  Powering buildings, lights and fans relates directly to gas and coal-fired emissions.  One-third of the power from a production site is used by the consumer.  So we have a better chance for faster impact by educating the public and other architects on how to reduce fossil fuels with better building design.  If you think about it, the opportunities are tremendous,” he explains. 

R.K. Stewart says “The profession has a lot of opportunity to affect people’s lives, and one of my goals is to make that obvious to our members and to the public from grassroots to national governmental levels.  As architects, we are collaborators who can make life better.  Typically the perception is that architects are a luxury.  But the buildings, in which people live, work or learn have come out of a vision created by working together on issues that are important to the greater community."

Capstone Construction brings building into the 21st century with a steel SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) construction method.  The factory-built insulated panels can be assembled into a finished Residential or Commercial shell in a matter of days. 

A Benchmark built SIPs structure is traditional in appearance, but it is stronger with engineering available for wind loads up to 230 mph, Energy Star rated, more environmentally friendly, quicker to build and easier to maintain than a frame or block structure.

Any residential or commercial property can be built with Structural Insulated Panels*. (Roof Lines May Change)

Advantages of “Energy star”  SIPs:

  • All homes, buildings and structures can be tested and rated by certified Energy Rating specialists. Typical energy savings are 50 – 70% less than traditional construction. The SIP panels do NOT lose their efficiency over time like traditional insulation
  • Excellent indoor air quality through airtight construction, no air leakage or infiltration. Rooms and areas maintain a constant temperature without large fluctuations and noisy air handling equipment creating noise and drafts.
  • Environmentally friendly materials (steel is recycled and is recyclable). EPS insulation cores have proven long term durability and do not break down and loose their excellent insulating performance characteristics over time, like outdated traditional methods of insulating.
  • Hurricane resistant, Impact resistant, extreme thermal performance and indoor air quality

Beneficial Features of SIPs over standard construction:

  • Excellent energy efficiency
  • Does NOT warp, rot, twist, crack, or add heavy foundation loads
  • Insect Resistant by using PERMA Guard insect resistant EPS foam cores in ALL manufactured SIP panels
  • Flexible design details to address almost all on site changes and architectural features and designs
  • Quiet interior as a result of using a dense EPS insulation core with no air leakage for sound to travel through
  • Significantly less air leakage means fewer drafts, less noise, lower energy bills, and a significantly more comfortable and healthy indoor environment.
  • In most cases stronger and lowering your homeowners insurance costs.

Certification of SIPs

  • Meets and/or exceeds new Florida and GulfCoast hurricane requirements with engineering up to 230 MPH wind loads.
  • All structures are certified by a licensed Engineer/Architect for structural design and integrity based on the stringent testing requirements and protocol of Florida Building Commission, ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials, UL (Underwriters Laboratory) extensive testing guidelines.
  • Fire resistant (up to 2 hour load bearing ratings)