SIPS – Kingspan TEK® Building System

 

Glosford SIPS is an approved delivery partner of the Kingspan TEK® Building System, which is based on Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS).

There are two thicknesses available of Kingspan TEK® SIPS, 142mm, which is made up of 112mm high-performance rigid urethane insulation core sandwiched between two layers of 15mm Oriented Strand Board and 172mm, which is 142mm rigid urethane insulation, again sandwiched between two layers of 15mm OSB.

The panels are joined together using a unique sealed jointing system that minimises the amount of air that can pass through the joints, making your home incredibly airtight compared to a conventional Timber Frame.

Constructing using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) is fast becoming the preferred way to build, likely because of their excellent thermal performance, superior airtightness, and reduced energy usage making SIPS far more cost-effective compared to a traditional build.

The Kingspan TEK® building system ensures energy efficiency from the start, but by adding additional insulation, you can enhance its performance even more!

 

 

Do I need to add additional insulation?

 

Alterations have been made to Building Regulations (England & Wales) Part L requirements, this means that additional insulation is likely required to meet the new standards. The changes are paving the way for the Government’s Future Homes standards, coming into effect in 2025, which aim to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to homes built under current regulations.

 

It is easy to add insulation to the internal face of the SIPS structure when required to reduce overall U-values. This continuous insulation layer also helps to further reduce thermal bridging in certain areas, such as around fenestration openings, where there are timbers rather than insulated SIPS.

 

 

Should I choose a thicker panel?

 

142mm wall panel with an additional 30mm of Kingspan Thermawall insulation performs better than a 172mm panel without any extra insulation, especially important around doors and windows, where structural posts and lintels are necessary.

 

172mm panels do however have an advantage when used for the roof; we can incorporate larger splines hidden between panels which increases the span capabilities without further support, this can reduce the number of other structural members, and overall build cost and provide a better aesthetic internally.

 

With this considered, to ensure your new home is as thermally efficient as possible, we would recommend using 142mm Kingspan TEK® Panels with an additional layer of internal insulation for the walls and 172mm panels for the roof either with or without additional insulation subject to your U-value requirements.

 

 

Would the panel thickness affect the foundations?

 

This is another reason why we would recommend 142mm panels for the walls as it’s crucial to consider not only the performance but also the often-overlooked aspects like the soleplate detail.

 

A 142mm panel is a perfect fit for a 140mm wide dense concrete block. However, for larger panels, a larger block will be necessary. It’s important to carefully plan how the foundation and soleplate will be constructed if you choose a thicker panel.

 

If a 172mm panel is specified, blocks are usually laid on their side, which not only impacts the budget due to the need for more blocks but also has a negative effect on cold bridging at the soleplate.

 

On the other hand, using a 142mm panel on a 140mm block allows for insulation to be brought further down to below the level of the block if needed, resulting in improved cold bridging.

 

 

Which panel is more cost-effective?

 

142mm wall panels with additional insulation will usually be more cost-effective than upgrading to 172mm due to the substructure works. Furthermore, the reduced U-value will result in lower energy usage throughout the lifetime of the building which is of paramount importance.

 

The roof costs will be more subjective to the building design and the roof span requirements therefore, our estimating team will always price based on the most cost-effective option at the enquiry stage.

 

Feel free to contact us for further information to guide you towards making the best choice for your specific needs, either by email or phone.