The Forshaw Group (TFG) is always looking for alternative sustainable materials to work with, so Liam Hanlon, managing director was delighted to be invited to visit composite insulated panel manufacturers, Hemsec in Liverpool. The visit was organised by Knowsley Chamber of Commerce to discuss the required skills for manufacturing structural insulated panels (SIP).
What is a structural insulated panel?
It’s important to TFG that new construction methods are used and integrated into modern and sustainable building designs as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable material. Structural Insulated Panels are an up-to-date method of construction. They can be used in floors, walls, and roofs for residential, commercial and educational buildings. The standard SIP consists of two facings of oriented strand board bonded by pressure injection to zero polyurethane closed cell foam.
What are the benefits of SIP?
This advanced method of construction offers amazing thermal performance, light weight structural strength and time and cost saving benefits. The thermal and insulation performance is that good it means that it will last the lifespan of the building and nothing additional in building materials is required.
In turn, this creates more internal floor space for the same external sizing in comparison to traditional masonry construction. The panels are made from timber, a green building material because it’s a renewable and trees produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere.
The list of benefits is using SIP are incredible and include excellent thermal performance, integral insulation, and environmental sustainability.
Liam Hanlon said about the day, “It was an insightful day, and it is great to see the benefits that innovative and sustainable construction material can have.”
