Any SIP builder in the Washington DC area?
I have been trying without success to find a builder in the Washington DC area that is familiar with SIPs. Maybe someone here can give me some good hint on SIP builders in the area?
Is there a specific reason why SIPs are not popular here in zone 4a? Is this because in mixed humid climate SIPs are more subject to rotting? Should I reconsider?
Labor in the DC area is more expensive than in surrounding areas so by moving a significant fraction of the labor to a SIP factory in principle I should be able to reduce the cost – compared to stick frame – to build an airtight highly insulated house. Also, in principle, SIP panels could be manufactures during winter and assembled in Spring-Summer with a significant time saving.
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I built a SIP addition here in Rhode Island. I went out of state to NH to get my SIPs. The company I used, delivered and erected the shell. I hired the trades myself.
There are two kinds of SIPs. Some are 4X8 and others are 8X24. You want the larger ones which are produced by major manufactures. Search for these suppliers and use their recommended contractors. I used INSULSPAN.
Thank you so much for your reply! I will ask Insulspan and other manufacturers about builders in the area. Not having any building construction knowledge, I do not feel comfortable being the general contractor so that's not a viable solution for me..
Consider It seems the market has spoken and SIP construction had failed to deliver.
There are less costly less risky designs able to provide the same insulation levels.
Walta
Walta that's how it looks like. I asked local builders and that's exactly what I was told but I wasn't sure I could trust them.
So is SIP really dying ?
To me it sounds like SIPs are more expensive compared to minimum-code stick framing but cheaper than very tight and well insulated stick framing buildings. I understand that SIP is less resilient than stick framing that's why I would not build roof and af course foundation with SIPs.
Minimum code is actually pretty good these days. The problem is that codes are quite unevenly applied and a lot of builders see insulation and air sealing as an unnecessary hassle.
I had that experience with a builder and we did not go far. I am open to suggestions for builders in the area that know how to build a tight efficient envelope and for example are open to a pre-drywall blower door test. My email is [email protected]
“but cheaper than very tight and well insulated stick framing buildings.”
What I am saying is even this statement has failed in the market. If you made a goal any goal of XX R value wall and XX R value roof and blower door tested under 1.25 ACH 50 then get a SIP bid it will cost more than stick build equal.
If your local code has been updated to the current models in the last few years zone 4 will likely require R25 walls, R38 ceiling and 3ACH50 exceeding that code is unlikely to see a ROI in most people’s live expectancy unless fuel prices skyrocket.
Walta
Walta would that be true also in areas with high labor cost like DC? My assumption was that manufacturing panels in lower cost areas would help reducing the construction cost. I am building in MD where ICC 2018 applies. Here minimum code insulation is R20 that with thermal bridges might be what an effective R17? A 6 inch SIP panel has an R value between about 21 and 34 depending on the type of foam.
I could not say what is true in your market but if it was the low cost option to meet the areas code minimum requirements, you would have no problem finding local suppliers.
Take the time to visit a few of the production builders model homes and see how they are meeting the requirements. I guarantee they have found the lowest cost way possible to comply.
Walt