Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are high-efficiency building materials that can be used for renovation, building additions, and even ground-up construction.

They consist of EPS, or expandable polystyrene foam “sandwiched” by two facings, or "skins".

SIPs outperform traditional framed buildings in almost every way, and Panels Unlimited is able to build your SIPs custom to your specifications.

History Of Structural Insulated Panels

A lot of people are surprised to find out that SIPs were designed a long time ago–the original idea to use skinned panels for construction is from 1930.

The first home built with SIPs was erected in 1937 in Madison, WI. Eleanor Roosevelt even christened it. It lasted through frigid Wisconsin winters until 1998 when it was torn down to make way for a Pharmacy School.

After their creation, SIPs became one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s favorite building materials, and Wright along with his student Alden B. Dow (son of the founder of Dow Chemicals) created the first foam core SIP in 1952.

SIPs have grown in popularity throughout the years, especially in areas like Flordia and the Texas coast, where their resistance to weather makes them more likely to survive hurricanes and other catastrophic weather events.