Within the decade, it is estimated that as much as one-third of residential construction will use structural insulated panels, or SIPs. These energy-efficient building panels are among the strongest, most versatile construction components available today. Michael Morley presents information about this relatively new technology for the many builders who will be using it within the near future but who know little about it.

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The book covers all steps in the fabrication and assembly of SIP panels and buildings in a way that isn't overly technical. The emphasis is for professionals, and indeed SIPs present a challenge to the do-it yourselfer since some of the panel elements are so large a crane or forklift is essential. SIP building as presented, however, seems very simple, and otherwise suited to self-builders. In essense each panel when complete can stand in for many other elements: the studs, plates, the sheating , insulation, vapour barrier, fasteners, plumbing and electrical chases, and interior rough or finished surfaces.

The book gives lots of information on different SIP types, and tools.

The book covers structural panels almost exclusively, in other words the simmilar panels used for timber frames etc..., which are not load-bearing are addressed, but are not the subject of this book.

My only dissappointment is that as an amateur builder the book doesn't deal with that aspect of the subject at all. The field is relatively unfriedly to non-commercial participants. SIPs are relatively hard to find in small quantities, and even though the process is simpler that stud building, for instance, they don't want to deal with you but your architect. Not the book's fault.

The author seems a sincere advocate for SIPs, if at times a little closed to other alternatives, which would present less of a cultural, financial, or technical barrier to the average buyer or user. I'd like to believe him, but so far SIPs haven't made an appearance at the local Home Depot. Most people have hammered a nail into a 2x4, but your going to have to buy into this system sight unseen, unless the SIP industry gets a little more democratic about its distribution.

This book was probably a three star or four star effort for me, given my focus, but fully five star for the intended audience: Contractors stepping up to the system for the first time.

26 of 26 found the following review helpful:

Answered my questionsMay 25, 2004
By Robert Sharpe
I have been considering building a home on a piece of property I own for the better part of a year now. I'm a fan of SIPs due to energy efficiency and the perception I have of their ability to withstand the harsh climate of south Texas. It helps that the best home I've ever owned (and I've owned more than ten) was a panelized home but on a wood foundation that I purchased in Minnesota 15 years ago. The house was solid, energy efficient and better built than anything any of the many site built stick homes I owned before and since.

I've tracked down a variety of sources of information on SIPS including most information readily available on the web. This book has been an essential tool for me, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone considering building with SIPs. It addresses all of the common objections and misperceptions (and there are many), and it does so in a methodical and comprehensive manner. I can see where some folks might consider that to be promotional, but I believe there is still a stigma to panelized construction, at least in the minds of a large segment of the population, so perhaps it's appropriate that a little promotion or cheerleading is included. It also addresses a number of practical considerations you'll have when building, such as electrical, plumbing and hvac considerations. It's not a manual, but I wasn't looking for a manual. After reading it, I feel that I will be better able to find and work with a builder and accomplish my goal...to build a quality, affordable house that is structurally superior, energy efficient and will last the rest of my life. Most importantly, I have yet to find another source on the subject that provides so much information with so little effort. As a result, it gets five stars.

17 of 17 found the following review helpful:

Excellent Starting Point for Learning about SIPSSep 21, 2005
By Tom Ferrell
Just a quick note on this book. My wife and I are looking to build an energy-efficient home. We are both engineers and very detail-oriented people. As part of our due diligence, we picked up this book after seeing a demonstration house built with SIPS as part of the 2005 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival (this was part of the US Forest Service pavilion - sustainable building approaches area). As noted in an earlier review, this book does have a bit of a promotional feel. However, it could simply be the author's enthusiasm for what appears to be a very good product. The book is also somewhat light in treating potential problems with SIPS. The failures of mutliple SIP roofing systems in Juneau, Alaska should have been addressed. In fairness though, these failures seem to largely be installation problems on the part of a small number of builders unfamiliar with the product. Overall, this book is a very useful and fairly detailed introduction to SIPS building. We would love to see a follow-up title that goes into much more technical detail on designing for SIPs use, as well as further exploration of lessons-learned from using SIPs in various settings and climates.

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Informative, though promotionalSep 09, 2003

Three years after it was published, this is still the only book that I'm aware of that offers comprehensive coverage on the subject. Luckily, it is a very informative one -though a bit promotional. If you are looking to build or have someone build an SIP home, read this book first then you'll know at least as much as your SIP sales person does -a good position to be in when shopping for anything.

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Just what I was looking forNov 28, 2002
By I Love Rice "hlcole1"
This book filled every expectation and more. I am a builder looking to possibly transition to SIPs. This book answered all my questions and some I hadn't thought of yet. If you are a builder looking to start using SIPs, buy this book.

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