Structure
Thermal
Isolation
Interior & Exterior Sheathing
Electrical
Conduits
ESR-5318
ICC Evaluation Service Report Listing ESR-5318
International Building code (IBC)
International Residential Code (IRC)
For evaluation for compliance with codes adopted by the California Office Statewide Health planning and Development (OSHPD) AKA: California department of Health Care Access and information (HCAI) and Division of State Architects (DSA), see ESR-5318 CBC and CRS Supplement.
For evaluation for compliance with codes adopted by the Los Angeles Department of Building and safety (LADBS), see ESR-5318 LABC and LARC Supplement.
Properties Evaluated
-Structural
-Thermal Barrier
-Seismic Performance
California FBH insignia: Inspected by Quality Approval Agency (QAA) and Design Approval Agency (DAA)
1. SIP Wall
2. SIP Roof
3. SIP Floor
4. Block Splines
5. Lumber Splines
6. SIP Cap plates
7. Bottom Plate
8. Pressure Treated Sill Plate
9. Pre-Cut Electric chase
10. LVL Ridge Beam
11. Purlin Beam
12. I-Joist for Sub-floor
13. T&G OSB for Sub-floor
14. Preflex Insulated Header
15. Lumber for interior Walls Framing
Send us your architectural drawings, Select from our pre-designed floor plans, or collaborate with an architect in our network.
Architectural Design
SIP Manufacturing
INCLUDES
• Custom SIP design & site plan
• Engineering stamp (optional)
• Panels factory cut to size. Panels Cut to size, shape with full reliefs, bevels, miters, angles, compound cuts with wire chases to match panel shop drawings provided by Preflex Inc.
• Openings, bevels, etc.
• Foam cut back to accept splines lumber
• Wire chases pre-cut
• Required accessory materials (see below)
• Insulated Headers
• Pressure treated Sill Plates
• SIP Sealant
• SIP Tape
• SIP Screws
• Full lumber and lumber install
• Preflex will supply all bottom and top plates, splines, window and door bucking, headers consisting of standard or engineered lumber based on drawings specified by the shop drawings. All lumber and headers will be factory installed unless splitting between panel seams.
*Instaled headers, treated plate, Beams upon request.
*Architectura-grade LVL beams are available if needed. The quantities of lumber are estimated based on the current project information available. Upon receipt of approved engineering drawings specifying the necessary additional structural members, we will be able to offer a precise estimate detailing the actual lumber package quantities required for the project. ADDITIONAL LUMBER SPECIFIED BY ENGINEER NOT INCLUDED.
INCLUDES
• Custom SIP design & site plan
• Engineering stamp (optional)
• Panels factory cut to size. Panels Cut to size, shape with full reliefs, bevels, miters, angles, compound cuts with wire chases to match panel shop drawings provided by Preflex Inc.
• Openings, bevels, etc.
• Foam cut back to accept splines lumber
• Wire chases pre-cut
• Required accessory materials (see below)
DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Lumber
• Lumber headers
*Architectura-grade LVL beams are available if needed. The quantities of lumber are estimated based on the current project information available. Upon receipt of approved engineering drawings specifying the necessary additional structural members, we will be able to offer a precise estimate detailing the actual lumber package quantities required for the project. ADDITIONAL LUMBER SPECIFIED BY ENGINEER NOT INCLUDED.
INCLUDES
Panels come in sizes 4x8 up to 8x24 in one foot increments.
DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Wire chases
• Reliefs
*Available upon request
Preflex walls offer framing, insulation, and sheathing with more structural integrity than studs. Our walls come ready to install with most of the work done off-site, such as electrical chases and box cutouts, and rough openings for doors and windows with headers and seals. Our walls make the interior finishes easier by allowing for drywall and cabinetry to be fastened on any part of the wall thanks to the high tensile strength of OSB.
Preflex RetroFit Panels seamlessly combine a single layer of OSB with expanded polystyrene (EPS) rigid insulation. They're designed to enhance insulation and boost energy efficiency when applied over an existing structure. As they consist of just one OSB layer, these panels are non-structural.
Preflex roofs allow for great design creativity by removing the need for trusses and replacing the attic with conditioned space, this allows you to easily obtain high vaulted ceilings with a fraction of lumber and structural elements.
Preflex floors are easy to install on raised foundations, they reduce the amount of joist as they only require them going in one direction. By using our floors you ensure an air-tight build throughout the whole building envelope
Prefabricated panels can be deployed quickly, built in half the time compared to stick framing
Off-site fabrication results in accurate material and labor costs with no overages.
Low carbon construction and superior insulation results in up to 50% energy savings.
Remove the need for skilled carpentry.
All material and scrap from fabrication are either recycled or reused for another project eliminating fabrication and job site waste.
Increased Energy Efficiency reduces operating costs while increasing property valuation.
No VOCs, Healthy Interior Air Quality
Our designs are minimalistic, modern, and flexible enough to customize to your own taste.
Residential
Multifamily
ADU
Commercial
Preflex SIPs are meticulously engineered for a wide range of applications, including Residential, Multifamily, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and Commercial building projects. Utilizing advanced fabrication techniques these SIPs offer a tailored, versatile solution to meet specific structural requirements across various construction domains while resulting in a Net Zero ready high performance building.
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are high-performance building panels used in floors, walls, and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings. The panels are made by sandwiching a core of rigid foam plastic insulation between two structural facings, such as oriented strand board (OSB). Other skin materials can be used for specific purposes. SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and can be custom designed for each project. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy-efficient and cost effective. Building with SIPs will save you time, money and labor.
SIP homes go up much faster than traditionally framed buildings. A properly trained SIP installation crew can cut framing time by 55 percent compared to conventional wood framing, according to a third-party study conducted by R.S. Means. Panels are manufactured as big as 8-foot by 24-foot, so entire wall and roof sections can be put up quickly, reducing dry-in time. SIPs are ready to install when they arrive at the jobsite, eliminating the time needed to perform the individual jobsite operations of framing, insulating and sheathing stick framed walls. Electrical chases are typically provided in the core of panels, so there is no need to drill through studs for wiring.
Builders can save money through decreased construction and labor costs. A high-performance building envelope often allows HVAC equipment to be downsized and ductwork to be minimized. Builders can also significantly reduce jobsite waste disposal and temporary heat during construction. Homeowners that incorporate other energy-efficient features into a SIP home can see utility savings of 50 percent or more. In a 2021 example for a typical 2,000 sf home, using SIPs saves over $16,000 in eliminated 2 x 4 raw material costs alone due to the high costs of lumber versus OSB used for SIPs.
SIP construction is recognized by the International Code Council body of building codes, which are used by most jurisdictions in the U.S. SIPs are also approved by the State of Florida for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ).
For residential buildings, specific construction practices for SIP wall systems are included in Section R610 of the 2018 International Residential Code. For applications beyond the scope of Section R610, the building inspector will typically require a licensed engineer or architect to approve the building plans prior to construction. An engineer’s approval is always required in high wind areas, high seismic zones and commercial buildings.
R-values for SIPs depend on the thickness of the SIP and the type of core material that is used. See SIPA’s R-value chart for the minimum R-values of commonly available SIPs.
Static R-values, like those included in the chart, rate the effectiveness of insulating material. However, they do not accurately describe how products perform in a real-world setting. When fiberglass or other types of insulation are installed, they are installed around structural members made of wood or metal that have very poor insulating value. Field-installed insulation materials are also prone to installation imperfections.
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has studied and tested the performance of entire wall assemblies in large sections. The resulting whole-wall R-value data reveals that a 4-inch SIP wall rated at R-14 outperforms a 2 × 6 wall with R-19 fiberglass insulation. For more detail, download the free SIP Design Best Practices 1: High-Performance SIP Building Envelope.
Plumbing should not be located in exterior SIP walls because of the possibility of condensation or supply lines freezing in cold climates. During the design phase of the project, all plumbing should be relocated to interior walls.
If plumbing must be located on an exterior wall, it is recommended that a surface chase be installed on the interior of the wall to conceal plumbing. Another option is to construct a small section of the wall using conventional wood framing that can be used to run plumbing. Plumbing penetrations such as drain water vents (DWV) can be placed through SIPs if they are thoroughly sealed to prevent air infiltration.
The construction of a SIP home or commercial building begins with the construction documents. Once the construction documents are in the hands of a SIP manufacturer, dealer/distributor or design professional, they are converted to SIP shop drawings that give the dimensions of each individual panel.
The shop drawings are reviewed by the builder, engineer, the building owner and other involved parties. Once the shop drawings are finalized, the SIPs are fabricated and shipped to the jobsite for installation. For more information, watch the half-hour educational videos on SIP Order Process and SIP Layout Drawings. For a more complete process summary, download the free brochure Designing with SIPs: DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS.