SIPS - The Future of High Performance Home Building
A1DesignBuild is a designer and builder homes in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington. We specialize in everything from home remodels to complete high-performance home builds, and our over 70 years of providing excellent service to the community assures that your home project gets done right - each and every time. Read on to learn more.
Building Smarter: How Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) Are Redefining High-Performance Construction
The building industry is always changing. Energy codes tighten. The cost of materials fluctuate. Homeowners demand higher performance from their homes. Design trends comes and go.
But one of the most effective and time-tested ways to meet to meet the new standards in building is with Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs.
SIPs are a next-generation building system that combines structure, insulation, and air sealing into one engineered panel. Each panel consists of a solid interior - usually expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane, or other insulating material - sandwiched between two structural facings of oriented strand board (OSB). The result is a solid, high-performance building envelope that outperforms traditional stick framing in nearly every measurable way.
At A1DesignBuild, this approach to building is something we’re expert in. And definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a high performance home (either passive or Net Zero).
Thicker walls = Better Insulation
Key Advantages of Building with SIPs
The advantages of building a high performance home with SIPs are many - and soon we’ll have a whole section of our website dedicated to this exciting technology. But for now, here’s a partial list of the benefits:
1. Superior Energy Efficiency
Continuous insulation across the entire wall or roof—no thermal bridging through studs.
Exceptionally airtight construction, reducing heat loss and infiltration.
Homes built with SIPs can use up to 50–60% less energy for heating and cooling compared to conventional framing.
2. Strength and Structural Integrity
SIPs act as a composite assembly, distributing loads evenly.
Tested to withstand high winds, seismic forces, and heavy snow loads.
Ideal for both residential and light commercial buildings requiring durability and long-term resilience.
3. Speed and Precision in Construction
Panels are factory-engineered and pre-cut to precise specifications.
Faster assembly on site—walls and roofs can be erected in days rather than weeks.
Reduced construction waste and fewer framing errors.
4. Healthier and More Comfortable Living Environments
Airtight building envelope minimizes drafts and cold spots.
Consistent interior temperatures and improved indoor air quality when paired with proper ventilation.
Quiet interiors—SIPs offer excellent sound insulation.
5. Sustainability and Long-Term Value
Reduced jobsite waste and lower lifecycle energy consumption.
Panels often use renewable wood resources and recyclable foam cores.
Lower utility costs over the life of the building make SIPs an investment that pays back quickly.
Want to learn more about our high performance home expertise? Head over here to our video resource library.
The Future of Building
SIPs represent more than a new product—they’re a smarter way to build. They combine engineering precision, sustainability, and modern performance into a single integrated system that aligns with the future of high-efficiency, net-zero construction.
For homeowners, that means comfort, savings, and peace of mind. For builders, it means faster builds, predictable quality, and satisfied clients. A win-win.
The building industry is evolving and Structural Insulated Panels are helping to lead the way.
Get in Touch
Want to learn more about SIPs? Reach out to Patrick and he would be happy to chat, or head over to our video resource page for loads of more good information on high performance homes. Or, just sign-up below to be included in our newsletter, chock full of home innovations.
Let's work together to build healthier, more sustainable homes for everyone. Salud!
