Insulation boards are a building material used for walls, floors, and roofs. They feature foam insulation between two sheets of plywood or oriented strand board and offer energy efficiency, noise reduction, and thermal resistance. Installation requires working with an architect and can be more expensive than traditional framing.
An insulation board is a special building material used to build walls, floors or roof structures. These panels take the place of traditional wood framing and plywood siding and act as a structural frame for the home. Each insulation board features a thick layer of foam insulation sandwiched between two sheets of plywood or oriented strand board. The panel layers are glued together using a heavy-duty construction adhesive, then compressed under high levels of pressure to ensure a stable bond. By using a thick layer of foam insulation, homeowners can maximize energy efficiency, reduce heating and cooling costs, and reduce their impact on the environment.
Prior to construction, the homeowner or builder should work with an architect to determine the correct size and thickness for each insulation board. Panel makers create cutouts, or tracks, with each panel as specified by the architect. These traces can accommodate electrical wiring or plumbing pipes with negligible impact on the insulation effectiveness of each panel.
Builders start by building a slab, which can include insulation board or traditional concrete. The builder then installs each insulation board vertically around the perimeter of the slab to form the walls. Each structural foam board secures to the floor and adjacent insulation board using special clips or built-in fixings. Another set of panels can be used to construct the roof, or wooden trusses can be used to create more complex designs.
Because the foam inside each insulation board fills the entire wall cavity, these boards offer several benefits over standard insulation. With little empty space or gaps in the walls, noise levels within the home are greatly reduced. Drafts and air leaks are also kept to a minimum which keeps the home more comfortable for the residents. Foam insulation provides a very high level of thermal resistance, so hot or cold outside temperatures are less likely to transfer through the walls. This means that homeowners can reduce heating or air conditioning needs and lower energy consumption rates.
Insulated panel construction costs more on average than standard wood framing. This higher initial cost may be offset by lower utility costs over time, but the payback period depends on local climate and a number of other factors. SIP construction is also a relatively new design technique, so it could be a learning curve as installers master the installation process. While insulation boards alone don’t meet most fire safety codes, a layer of drywall on the inside surface can help improve fire resistance.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
