Considerations

Moisture Management
Since SIPs are a type of wood based construction, like any wood based construction, the single greatest concern with SIPs is potential damage from water exposure. In this regard, SIPs should be treated similarly to wood frame construction where OSB is used as an exterior sheathing. Like any wood product when exposed to moisture, OSB is susceptible to mold, rot and mildew. The moisture can come from inside the structure as humidity or outside the structure as rain, mist or condensation. To eliminate these problems, the OSB must be kept dry and/or allowed to dry when it gets wet.

Outside: To keep the outside of the SIPs dry a few strategies must be employed. A drain plain, such as 30# building felt, should be installed behind any siding or roofing. All penetrations must be properly flashed and sealed. Any time wood, or fiber-cement siding is used over the OSB, it must be back and end-primed. In addition to these precautions, some climates may require use of a vent space between the siding roofing and the exterior OSB skin of the SIP.

Inside: Controlling moisture from the inside of the structure is just as important. To keep the OSB dry, the following strategies must be employed. During construction, care must be taken to thoroughly seal all panel joints. This is done with expanding-foam sealant, mastic type construction sealant, and vapor barrier tape designed to adhere to OSB. Exhaust fans must be used in any higher humidity area such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Heat Recovery Ventilator Also, using an Energy Recovery Ventilator or Heat Recovery Ventilator is recommended. These units expel moist and stale air and bring in fresh air and in cool climates they keep interior humidity from becoming higher than outdoor humidity.

Foundation Juncture
SIPs are never to be installed in direct contact with concrete; they should always be separated from concrete by a capillary break-like poly seal and a pressure treated lumber sill plate that extends to the outside face of the SIP. (See detail F-1 and F-3.)

Pest Management
Any building type is susceptible to pest infestation and SIP construction is no different. Some suggestions are:

  • •  Have a pest control specialist treat the site before construction
  • •  Do not bury scrap wood during backfilling; seal or screen any possible entry points
  • •  Store any firewood away from the building
  • •  Keep food in well sealed containers, fix any moisture problems
  • •  Keep trees trimmed so they don’t hang over or touch the building
  • •  Do not plant shrubberies within 3’ of the exterior of the building
  • •  Keep exhaust and HVAC system filters clean and keep floors free of food particles

Adjacent exterior decks
One very common area to find rot in any wood frame building is where an exterior deck meets the wall of a structure. These areas are penetrated with fasteners, are difficult to seal, and are subject to water falling from the roof and then splashing up off the deck onto the walls of the building. The best solution for this problem is to build the deck to be free-standing and not attached to the building at all. Also, keep a 1”-wide space between the building and the deck to allow for drying and drainage. Keeping the deck surface one step lower than the surface of the interior of the building is also a good idea. This keeps snow or water from migrating under a door, and reduces other possible water entry problems.

Half Log Siding Timber frame and log construction
Timber frame and log buildings tend to expand and contract with moisture, sometimes in dramatic amounts. Some of the details shown on this website may need to be modified when SIPs are installed over log walls, or over a timber frame. There are books about timber frame construction that show good details dealing with this issue. See www.tfguild.org; this website is a good resource for timber framers.

Consult a building science expert
Building science techniques are used to improve air quality, improve energy efficiency, and prevent damage from moisture. Different climates, conditions and designs require different details and methods. This website does not cover all conditions. Please consult these additional resources with any building science questions:

Building Science Corporation –
www.buildingscience.com

The Engineered Wood Association –
www.apawood.com

Environmental Protection Agency –
www.epa.gov

US Green Building Council –
www.usgbc.org

Building Green –
www.buildinggreen.com