SIPS R-Values

The insulation used in your building envelope, can make the difference in paying thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home. All insulations are measured by R-Value, which is the thermal resistance of the material. The higher the R-Value, the better the insulation should perform. Studies have found however that the R-value testing methods are somewhat flawed, in that they don’t take thermal mass into account. Also, they are tested in perfect conditions in a dry air laboratory, not reflecting real world field conditions.

With fiberglass (the pink stuff), any voids in the wall, too much ‘stuffing of the material’, moisture, and getting the paper face attached just right, can all affect your its performance. Not to mention the studs on 16” centers (wood has an R-Value of 1 per inch), which reduce your R-Value and create a thermal bridge.

A study by Oak Ridge Laboratories found that a typical home with Studs and fiberglass insulation, rated at R-13, will actually perform closer to R-9, while a SIPS home will perform at its stated R-Value. This is due to the fact that SIPS create a perfect air barrier. The EPS foam (R-4 per inch) extends to the top/bottom, left & Right to stop air movement. In addition, you will have far fewer studs in a SIP Home.

EPS also has thermal mass properties, so it will maintain the temperature of your home far longer than simple fiberglass (which is actually used in some filters to allow air to pass through it).

The below chart compares the R-Values for both fiberglass insulation and SIPS panels. This barely scratches the surface as a SIPS home is also a far tighter home, meaning less air is able to leak out. This greatly improves your energy savings.

Note that there is a diminishing value of return the thicker your foam. For example if you can save 50% by going with a 6 ½” SIP, upgrading to 12 ¼” won’t save you 100%.