Does anyone know of where SIP's might be available in Australia? Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). SIPs are used to construct a super strong, very energy efficient, 'green' building envelope (shell). We saw these panels while holidaying in USA. You can see these at http://www.precisionpanel.com/
My husband and I are keen to use something similar when we start building our house in South Gippsland, Victoria, next year.
Structural Insulated Panels
(343 posts) (108 voices)-
Posted Sunday 22 Jun 2008 @ 4:32:18 am from IP #
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rjsearle
MemberHi Sue,
Depending on your tastes, checkout http://www.thermopanel.com.au This is a quality product, manufactured in Adelaide. I've had a close look at the product, manufacturing process etc and I love it. It is does not suit all applications, but it is structural
Russell
Posted Thursday 3 Jul 2008 @ 10:56:07 am from IP # -
deauzie
Membertry http://www.alibaba.com there is a Chinese company there that will qoute you to supply them to you just send them your blueprints
Posted Saturday 12 Jul 2008 @ 9:54:34 am from IP # -
aradford
MemberPlease Check out http://www.aussiesips.com.au (I would be very very careful with any of the Chinese panels as they will not meet our building codes)
AussieSIPS are a local manufacturer of Structural insulated panels and are members of the Structural insulated panel association http://www.sips.orgPosted Tuesday 30 Jun 2009 @ 3:27:18 am from IP # -
Depending upon the style of building you're interested in, Ritek Custom Panel http://www.ritek.net.au/ can be used.
Insulation values and possible spans vary with wind load/core thickness, and both skins are Colorbond steel in most colours.
Originally for wide spanning unframed roof structures they are also able to be used for wall structures, though I don't know how load bearing the wall panels are.
Posted Tuesday 30 Jun 2009 @ 6:53:55 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberHello Sue,
It well may be a little late for this information for you, but, R Control Australasia Structural Insulated Panels, are currently building houses in Australia, both on the East and West Coast. Refer to the website for further information and contact details. They are manufacturing the panel in New South Wales. Display homes are underway for interested parties to view.Posted Friday 4 Dec 2009 @ 7:17:40 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberR Control Australasia's site is:
http://www.au.rcontrol.comPosted Friday 4 Dec 2009 @ 7:18:44 am from IP # -
greenvalue
Memberthese last panels, rcontrol [above], are treated with FrameGuard - if you google Australia you will find health warnings related to that stuff, incl. that it (or saw dust of it) might cause nasal cancer...
not what I would want to use consciously in my home.Posted Friday 4 Dec 2009 @ 7:43:00 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberThe National Toxicity Program (NTP) has classified ALL UNTREATED hardwood/softwoods mix DUST as a Group 1 human carcinogenic.
The WOOD DUST classification is based primarily on IARCs evaluation of increased risk in the occurrence of adenocarcinomas of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses associated with occupational exposure to UNTREATED WOOD DUST.
NTP has classified ALL UNTREATED WOOD DUST as a carcinogenic.
Frameguard (which is NOT wood dust) is a mold resistand wood coating which prevents problems with mold, termites and decay causing fungi, unjurious to health. Frameguard has been given a Green Building Award and was chosen as Green Product Project of the year. It is listed as an environmentally preferable product which meets stringent requirements for indoor quality and exceeds Green guard chemical emission standards. It is wood dust itself, which is considered carcinogenic when confronted with as an occupational hazard. Mandatory work safe measures and practices, such as using the required face masks would alleviate this as a hazard.
Posted Monday 7 Dec 2009 @ 11:02:59 am from IP # -
Multipanel http://www.multipanel.com.au has a an innovative Australian made panel which has many usages and has good R ratings.
Posted Monday 14 Dec 2009 @ 1:23:41 am from IP # -
I have been working towards building a house out of SIPs for many months now and have some updates on the three major SIPs vendors. Most SIPS consist of two layers of OSB (Oriented Strand Board) with 50mm or more of foam. In Australia this process is hampered by the fact that OSB is not made in Australia at all at the moment.
1. AussieSIPS are based just outside Melbourne and are working towards both OSB (oriented strand board) and some other non-timber based SIP and may be using non petroleum based foams in part as well. They are not yet ready to sell to the public but are quite open about this. I think that they are definitely someone to watch. Not sure where they plan to get their OSB.
2. As mentioned above R-Control are already building houses based on proven US technology. Currently they import their panels complete from R-Control factories in the US but they are very serious about local manufacture. Not only do they plan to assemble panel locally, they are also working towards local manufacture of OSB. The most impressive thing about R-Control in Australia is that everyone that I have spoken to appears to be really across more than just SIPs but the whole package of what is needed to build energy efficient buildings.
3. SIPs industries are a UK based organisation who have agents in WA. Unfortunately, while the UK arms sounds like a strong organisation, the Australian arm is hampered by poor customer service and limited experience with green building techniques. They have also hijacked the domain name of R-Control in Australia and directed it to their own site. Not a very trustworthy behaviour.
So, at the moment the state of play with traditional SIP type builders leaves you with only one choice, R-Control. Hopefully AussieSIPS will get their act together this year as well giving some competition in the market.
Posted Thursday 18 Feb 2010 @ 10:57:52 am from IP # -
moemoke
MemberInteresting building material, looks good, easy to use and good insulation, what more could you want. maybe it's really expensive.
I'm not sure about AussieSIPS as they are in the same town that I work in. Although they have a fairly good web site they are part of a company called Global Energy who sell heating/cooling systems and operate out of a small shop in the main street of Warragul. Maybe they import the panels or have a factory somewhere, I'll go and ask the guy's there when I get a chance, They know me as I have brought a few central heating systems off them for my rentals.Posted Friday 19 Feb 2010 @ 3:52:47 am from IP # -
Sue;
we build with steel sips http://www.southernsips.com and buy thru http://www.SipDepot.com they will ship worldwide.steel has many benefits over wood products including termite resistance
Posted Friday 19 Feb 2010 @ 12:09:31 pm from IP # -
hi all if your looking for an Australian company that is certified and engineered in australia.
we build both steel and OSB sip panels and have also developed Solar paneling and ballistic panels to suit.
we are an international company that has developed our product to not just suit the Australian environment but also the harshness of other countries environments as well. just contact us, and we will direct you on the write track at http://www.brenshai.com or email us at brendan@brenshai.com or shane@brenshai.com.
we also Ship worldwide as we have offices overseas.
Posted Tuesday 23 Feb 2010 @ 12:47:53 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberI note too, that SIPsIndustries had a domain name that meant any search under R Control went to their site, which I understood was illegal. I note also that they use an AFM (R Control) construction video on their technical site, to demonstrate how SIPs can be used. Their SIPs are not of the same structural integrity as AFMs and how they can poach both material and link to a site they have no right to link to, would make one wonder about the integrity of SIPs Industries in Australia - although they are backed by SIPs Industries in the UK, who must be well aware of the breaches of ethics.
R Control SIPs are wooing and winning many high profile customers, so I suppose such underhanded behaviours by a competitor are to be expected, but it does show their true colours I think, and may make you question integrity, if they have to resort to using information and links they should not be using.
Posted Friday 28 May 2010 @ 11:52:51 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberFor those interested in low embodied energy, I believe that OSB SIPs are one of the lowest embodied energy building materials there are, and are termite treated with organic materials. I understand, for those interested in sustainability that steel is very high in the use of embodied energy, which for those interested in all aspects of sustainabilty makes a difference. The fact that OSB SIPs are uses as a total envelope, for the whole of floor, internal, external walls and for the roof means it provides the whole system package from one material, which then proves to be extremely energy efficient from every facet.
Posted Friday 28 May 2010 @ 11:59:10 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberHaving built my house from SIPs I can say that all aspects of it and what it offers in terms of energy efficiency at a price that matches conventional building materials, certainly makes it Advanced Technology, which will grow in the future I am sure; its long term sustainability makes it a very definate alternative to any other building product. With the cost of energy dramatically increasing, the use of SIPs makes heating and cooling appliances almost obsolete and certainly with the right appliances, makes building a zero energy building a promising achievable outcome.
Posted Friday 28 May 2010 @ 12:04:59 pm from IP # -
Frateco
Memberptd, I think you might want to tone down the rhetoric...
"I believe that OSB SIPs are one of the lowest embodied energy building materials there are, and are termite treated with organic materials."
OSB is a manufactured sheet material that is made from timber that is chipped, dried, steam compressed (all high energy)and uses either a phenol resorcinol or isocyanate glue that are petrochemical based. The foam/XPS/EPS is a petrochemical based product that is not recyclable nor environmentally friendly and is also a product of high manufacturing energy. ( my experience: 6yrs with an American company that made OSB, LVL & EWPs)
I'm curious to know what the organic termite treatment is? Natural permethrin, maybe? or synthesised permethrin? If OSB is coming from overseas, generally they aren't treating since termites aren't an issue. When they have treated, they use synthetic permethrin or boron (which is not accepted under AS).
"the use of SIPs makes heating and cooling appliances almost obsolete and certainly with the right appliances, makes building a zero energy building a promising achievable outcome."
If heating & cooling appliances are almost obsolete, what are the 'right' appliances? How do SIP's deal with condensation on walls and humidity in the room? I have found that many people put AC's on to deal with humidity rather than heat.
Sorry if I've come down hard - while some of us are selling products, others aren't and they come to this forum for FACTUAL information, not 'green washing'.
Posted Thursday 3 Jun 2010 @ 3:07:24 am from IP # -
Frateco
MemberI have had a closer look at the website, ptd and I particularly paid attention to the treatments.
The OSB is borate treated (inorganic, not organic treatment) which is not in Australian compliance for termite protection, only insect attack (like wood borers). Especially in Qld & NSW, the Timber Marketing Act specifically states borate is unacceptable for structural elements.
Do some research before peddling.
Posted Thursday 3 Jun 2010 @ 7:39:43 am from IP # -
I was very interested in the possibility of building with SIPs about 6 or 7 years ago when I saw a DVD and package put out by a company which had built a demo house in the middle of Brisbane in under a week. Unfortunately, when I tried to look them up several years later they had disappeared off the face of the earth. One of the things I liked about them was they were manufactured in Queensland, were supposed to make kit houses and you could choose between alternative facings (eg colorbond externally with bamboo plywood for the interior). Dream on. I'm still interested in SIPs but would like to know how my local council will accept them - given their frameless construction and large spans etc. Has anyone yet overcome typical council reticence re new building techniques and got a plan passed (in the suburbs)?
Posted Friday 6 Aug 2010 @ 8:56:37 am from IP # -
dymonite69
MemberAussieSue,
You have come across the difficult of attempting to use novel materials.
If you want to push ahead then I would do this:
Firstly establish contacts with alternative home owners or those in the eco-trade e.g. via the ATA, alternative building magazines, eco-villages. Someone will end up knowing someone who knows someone. Find out how they went through the process and how they got council approval. Some eco-architects and designers are good at championing some unusual technique or material. They are good at giving hints on how to get councils, inspectors and certifiers on side. Then you need to put together a directory of subbies who are familiar with the products that you want to use. You also need to do your homework. Be totally familiar with the product, how it is put together, traps and pitfalls etc. Be prepared to coach your contractor and encourage him through the process. Don't rush the construction process. Be prepared to get the right person who is willing and able to do the product justice. Have patience. All the best!
Posted Friday 6 Aug 2010 @ 1:03:27 pm from IP # -
Jeffbloggs
MemberAussiesue
We built a larger SIP building a while back it was the simplest building construction I was ever involved in. It took 3 days to setup the pre-fab heavy duty steel frame and then another 3 days to install the panels inside and out. They simply sloted together as they were already cut to the right size, and even angled correctly for the gables, and mitered for the corners. The whole roof was supported from wall to wall over 8m with only one support in the middle. We used alternating panel colours (even inside to out) and it looks much better than the corrugated colorbond, doesn't need painting and can even be used as doors or large louvers across windows. Never had a problem with getting council approval. What restrictions do you have in Queensland that you have to get over? BTW Bondor has a Queensland office: http://www.bondor.com.au/bondor/contact.htmlPosted Friday 6 Aug 2010 @ 2:34:23 pm from IP # -
I decided life is too short to fight councils and have already gone the other way and selected a standard design kit house and sited it and adapted it to make it as energy efficient as I can. My house is just at about lockup now and I am making decisions about insulation and sewage systems. One day I might have a go at SIPs, but for now, I'm enjoying the challenge of making my house as energy efficient as it can be within my limited budget.
Posted Sunday 8 Aug 2010 @ 12:55:30 pm from IP # -
moemoke
MemberI spoke to the boss of Global Energy a few weeks ago as he came into work for another matter, he is about to start construction of a Aussie Sips house in Yarragon (east of Melb.)which I will be keeping an eye on.
He has spent a lot of time and money on developing his panels which he is very passionate, he is using a enviromental type foam (not EPS) which apparantly you can eat!
OSB is the standard facing but you can use what ever you like over the top.
It should be an interesting project so I'll try and keep up to date with it.Posted Thursday 12 Aug 2010 @ 5:13:11 am from IP # -
dymonite69
MemberWhy not fill wood ply panels with wood shavings or cellulose?
Posted Thursday 12 Aug 2010 @ 6:37:24 am from IP # -
ptd
MemberTo add to the attributes of SIPS readers may be interested in the fact that SIPs (in particular R CONTROL SIPs, were used in the winning house for the European Solar Decathalon house.
No issue has been experienced with council with the building of houses in various states of Australia thus far, including plans for double storey construction of sets of units. I think one only has to look at the growth of SIPs in the UK and its selection as material of choice by government in the building of social houses in the UK within the past twelve months to consider its attributes and suitability in providing an effective thermal envelope as one of its benefits.
Those really interested in a proven product may take the time to view the Solar decathalon house - which won this prestigious international competition, using R Control SIPs for its walls and ceiling.
http://www.au.rcontrol.com/SIPs/projects/lumenhaus.asp
There are builders in Australia currently using Structural Insulated panels and homes built without issue with either councils or construction. It is not as if SIPs are a new, untried product. SIPs homes have been built effectively around the world and although a relatively new product and system in Australia, demonstrate in the above situation, how they are viewed internationally, as an alternative building product.
http://www.lumenhaus.com/eu/index.html.
More information on the winning building can be found at the above.
Posted Monday 23 Aug 2010 @ 10:49:53 am from IP # -
how do they deal with people wishing to make changes to door/ window openings at a later date ?
Posted Monday 23 Aug 2010 @ 11:24:45 am from IP # -
sarema
MemberIs there anywhere in Melbourne where they produce this product and have any houses been built in Melbourne using this product as I am really interested to see them? Are there any more details of the house you were referring to above in Yarragon?
Posted Monday 27 Sep 2010 @ 9:36:19 am from IP # -
IAEA
MemberJust throwing in for what's its worth:
http://www.masterwall.com.au/gallery_morcon.htm
What I would consider to be an excellent way to construct a home anywhere in Australia.
IAEA
Posted Thursday 30 Sep 2010 @ 1:16:26 pm from IP # -
termite
MemberIAEA: Looks lightweight and highly insulating. Let's hope the cockies don't like the taste of the skin and render! (Just this last week it was reported they took a liking to polystyrene on a mobile phone aerial tower.)
However:
Specifications for Masterwall exclude cyclone areas in the general case. So not ANYWHERE in Oz.
Unsure of what terrain category 3 means, and it can't be used over 9m above ground.Whilst it is described as recyclable, the specifications do not describe HOW. Indeed, they recommend offcuts be discarded. With better legislation, surely this simple information should at least be provided somewhere...
Posted Friday 1 Oct 2010 @ 6:42:47 am from IP #
