composite / Panelised / Insulated Panel
Structural Insulated Panel (SIP), OSB-faced (90mm, 110mm, 140mm, 165mm, 215mm, 265mm)
OSB-faced EPS SIPs provide continuous insulation with whole-wall R?values roughly R?13 to R?40 (EPS core). Typical EPS density in panels is ~0.90 lb/ft? (~14 kg/m?).
Atlas code
COM-PNL-INS-003
At-a-glance signals
OSB-faced EPS SIPs provide continuous insulation with whole-wall R?values roughly R?13 to R?40 (EPS core). Typical EPS density in panels is ~0.90 lb/ft? (~14 kg/m?).
Overview
Executive summary
OSB-faced SIPs use an EPS core with continuous insulation. WBDG reports typical whole-wall R?values for EPS SIPs of about R?13.1 (4.5 in), R?19.9 (6.5 in), R?26.0 (8.25 in), R?32.9 (10.25 in) and R?39.8 (12.25 in), depending on thickness. EPS density in panels is typically about 0.90 lb/ft? (~14 kg/m?).
Best when…
- Rapid construction (50-55% faster than traditional framing)
- Superior thermal performance (whole-wall R-value)
- Excellent airtightness (90% less air leakage than stick frame)
- Reduced on-site waste (up to 30% less than conventional)
- Factory quality control and precision
- Integrated structure and insulation
- Reduced labour requirements
- Predictable performance across climate zones
- Long service life (60+ years expected)
- Compatible with various cladding systems
Top advantages
- 01 Rapid construction (50-55% faster than traditional framing)
- 02 Superior thermal performance (whole-wall R-value)
- 03 Excellent airtightness (90% less air leakage than stick frame)
- 04 Reduced on-site waste (up to 30% less than conventional)
- 05 Factory quality control and precision
Top limitations
- 01 Higher upfront material cost than traditional framing
- 02 Requires experienced installers familiar with SIP construction
- 03 Moisture vulnerability if not properly sealed and maintained
- 04 Limited modification flexibility once installed
- 05 Electrical and plumbing routes must be pre-planned
Technical
Physical ·9
- Density
- EPS core ~0.90 lb/ft? (?14 kg/m?) per WBDG kg/m³
- Specific gravity
- 0.025-0.040
- Porosity
- 98% (EPS core) %
- Water absorption
- <2% by volume (OSB), <4% (EPS) %
- Hardness
- 35-40 (Shore D)
- UV resistance
- Requires protection // OSB degrades under UV
- Chemical resistance
- Resistant to dilute acids/alkalis // EPS property
- pH tolerance
- pH 3-11
- Surface roughness
- Ra 50-100 μm µm
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 140-200 kPa MPa
- Compressive strength
- 70-170 kPa MPa
- Flexural strength
- 20-30 MPa MPa
- Shear strength
- 1.0-1.4 MPa MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.3
- Impact resistance
- High // Qualitative assessment
- Creep resistance
- Good // Minimal long-term deformation
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·6
- Embodied carbon
- 8-12 kg CO₂e/m² // Manufacturing phase
- Carbon footprint
- 15-25 kg CO₂e/m² // From SIPA EPD 2024
- Embodied energy
- 150-200 MJ/m² MJ/kg // Production energy
- Water footprint
- 50-80 L/m² L/kg // Manufacturing water use
- Recycled content
- 0-10% % // Varies by manufacturer
- Renewable content
- 45-50% % // OSB wood content
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·5
- Combustibility class
- Combustible // Requires protection
- Fire resistance level
- FRL 60/60/60 to 90/90/90 // With appropriate linings
- Ignition temp
- 200-260°C °C // OSB ignition
- Flame spread index
- 75-200
- Smoke dev. index
- 50-150
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- AUD $280-550 // Per standard panel (2.44m x 1.22m)
- Material cost (per unit)
- AUD $15-20/m² // Panel only
- Lead time
- 2-6 weeks // Depends on customisation
- Lifecycle cost
- AUD $200-250/m² // 60-year analysis
- Annual maintenance
- AUD $0.50-1.00/m² // Minimal maintenance
- Market availability
- Readily available // Major capitals
Service life & durability ·3
- Expected lifespan
- 60+ years // With proper maintenance
- Maintenance interval
- Annual inspection // Check seals and cladding
- Warranty period
- 10-25 years // Varies by manufacturer
Layer D
Where it's used
Residential walls (load-bearing and non-load-bearing)
Roof panels for cathedral ceilings and flat roofs
Floor systems over crawl spaces or suspended applications
Commercial buildings up to 4 storeys
Modular and prefabricated construction
Passive house and high-performance building envelopes
Cool rooms and temperature-controlled environments
Bushfire-prone area construction (up to BAL 30)
Cyclone-resistant construction (up to Region C/N5)
Extensions and granny flats