--- title: The Real Savings When You Build With Structural Insulated Panels description: Highly efficient SIPs can lower overall project costs. Discover how SIP panel costs & performance compare to traditional stick-framing construction. image: https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/100_2252.jpg --- [![Enercept Structural Insulated Panels](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20copy.gif?width=1643&height=903&name=Logo%20copy.gif "Enercept Structural Insulated Panels")](http://www.enercept.com) The Future Of Framing [Content Title](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-do-structural-insulated-panels-really-cost#) Description < Previous page Next page > Menu [Content Title](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-do-structural-insulated-panels-really-cost#) Description < Previous page Next page > ### ABOUT ### Applications ### Products ### Resources ### Find Enercept ### Projects ### CONTACT ### Categories Filter Here - [SIPs (124)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sips) - [Structural Insulated Panels (71)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/structural-insulated-panels) - [Energy Efficiency (52)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/energy-efficiency) - 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[sipshabitathouse (1)](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/sipshabitathouse) ### Recent Posts ![NewTown-31](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/NewTown-31.jpg) [SIPs Underground; Five Smart Reasons to Use Below-Grade SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-underground-five-smart-reasons-to-use-below-grade-sips) ![](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_1570.jpeg) [Do Higher Lumber Prices Make Building With SIPs More Attractive?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/do-higher-lumber-prices-make-building-with-sips-more-attractive) ![](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Weaver.jpg) [Are SIPs Right for Your Build? Do the Research.](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/are-sips-right-for-you-do-the-research-1) ![Enercept University Class of 2023](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/2-Mar-22-2023-02-15-13-6741-PM.jpg) [Enercept University 2023: Take Your Building Skills to the Next Level!](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/enercept-university-2023-take-your-building-skills-to-the-next-level) ![contractors-guide-ebook2](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/E-BOOKS/contractors-guide-ebook2.png) [SIPs vs. Sticks; Contractors' Guide to Using SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/sips-vs-sticks-contractors-guide-to-using-sips) # The Real Savings When You Build With Structural Insulated Panels Posted by [Christine Walraven](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/author/christine-walraven) on December 3, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### How much do structural insulated panels (SIPs) cost? And, perhaps not surprisingly, it’s a difficult question to answer because each project is so unique. A simple rectangular cabin would be far less complicated than, for example, a home with complicated roof lines with various pitches. Other variables include the thickness of panel required, the site, which walls will be SIPs, snow load requirements and other building codes. Each of these variables factor in to the total cost of the panels. ![Rosenvold timber frame](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Enercept_September2017/Docs/Rosenvold%20timber%20frame.jpg?width=298&name=Rosenvold%20timber%20frame.jpg) Pricing information can be obtained by contacting any  SIPs manufacturer. Like most other products, there are low and high-end versions of SIPs, so it’s important you are making apples-to-apples comparisons when shopping. A blank panel with no customization will cost much less than one which is highly-customized and completely factory-finished.  Speaking in general terms, industry wide, a blank six-inch wall panel will cost somewhere between $5 to 8 (2018 pricing) per square foot of panel. ![Jefferson close](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jefferson%20close.jpg?width=300&name=Jefferson%20close.jpg) Or, you can look at it from the amount of living space created within the SIPs building envelope: a basic design would run about $17 to 30 (2018 pricing) per square foot for the exterior shell, including wall and roof panels. Sticker shock? Perhaps. Material expenditure may be a bit higher with SIPs than with conventional wood construction. But, it’s important to realize that’s only one part of the equation. Let’s look at it from a different angle: What will using SIPs save, both short and long-term?  ## Labor The material price doesn’t account for the labor savings afforded with SIPs construction. According to a study conducted by RS Means, building with SIPs can decrease framing labor by as much as 55% over conventional construction. Such a significant impact to overall cost ought not be overlooked when tallying up construction costs.![Cuts Labor needs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WEBSITE%20IMAGES/Cuts%20Labor%20needs.png?width=160&name=Cuts%20Labor%20needs.png) Labor costs are further diminished because smaller crews can erect the structure. Some manufacturers – including Enercept — even pre-cut and finish rough openings, which further reduces labor costs. Installing a window or door into a completely finished, headered opening is far less labor-intensive than stick framing or even cutting rough openings in SIPs onsite. ## Time While it does take time to unload and stage the panels, the ease with which they fit together is a less laborious and time-consuming matter than stick-framing a structure. Overall studies show an approximate 50% decrease in onsite construction time.![time4](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Enercept%20April%202018/process/time4.png?width=160&name=time4.png) Faster dry-in means subcontractors can begin work on the interior sooner — and in a climate-controlled, more comfortable environment. A quick construction time frame also means the structure can be ready for occupancy in a more timely fashion as well.  ## Waste A 2012 study by Aaron Seward, published in Architect 101, points out that conventional construction accounts for 40% of the waste in landfills. Further, SIPs “nearly eliminate onsite waste due to framing, up to a 98% decrease. Builders can expect fewer costs associated with waste disposal when using SIPs. ## Energy consumption This is perhaps the most beneficial aspect of SIPs, both long and short-term, when it comes to dollars and cents. According to Seward: > **Although life cycle costs were not part of this study, it should be noted that SIPs installed to meet Energy Star requirements offer significant savings in energy use. A typical 2’ x 6’ wall with fiberglass batt insulation has an R value of 19 while the comparable SIPs wall is rated at R 22.3. In addition to the higher R values, the sealed joints between the SIPs reduce air leakage (drafts) and energy loss. Energy efficiency is a very attractive selling point with many potential buyers, despite the higher material costs of SIPs, because they minimize heat loss/gain in a new home, increase comfort, and save money in the long run.** ![Greener way to build image](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Greener%20way%20to%20build%20image.jpg?width=1065&name=Greener%20way%20to%20build%20image.jpg)Building owners can also expect substantial savings on HVAC equipment as smaller, less expensive units are used for heating and cooling; further, smaller equipment costs less to operate. So, how much *do* SIPs cost? While the initial materials cost may be slightly higher than conventional building materials, when you look at the rest of the factors contributing to construction costs — reduced labor expenses, heightened site productivity, decreased waste and less overall energy consumption — the sum total makes sense. When all the factors are considered, building with SIPs is virtually the same or even less expensive than other building systems.   Topics: [cost of SIPs](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/cost-of-sips), [Structural Insulated Panels](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/structural-insulated-panels), [Offsite Construction](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/offsite-construction) ### you may also like ![As Lumber Prices Stabilize, How Do SIPs Compare?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/img1.jpg) #### [As Lumber Prices Stabilize, How Do SIPs Compare?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/as-lumber-prices-stabilize-how-do-sips-compare) ![Build with SIPs for quality and long-term cost efficacy.](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Affordable%20SIP%20design.jpg) #### [Build with SIPs for quality and long-term cost efficacy.](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/can-i-build-affordable-housing-with-sips) ![Do Higher Lumber Prices Make Building With SIPs More Attractive?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/IMG_1570.jpeg) #### [Do Higher Lumber Prices Make Building With SIPs More Attractive?](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/do-higher-lumber-prices-make-building-with-sips-more-attractive) ![Lifetime Value vs. Upfront Investment](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/money-2724235_1280.jpg) #### [Lifetime Value vs. Upfront Investment](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/lifetime-value-vs-upfront-investment) [![logosmallwebsite](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logosmallwebsite.png?width=113&name=logosmallwebsite.png "logosmallwebsite")](https://www.enercept.com/) ### CONTACT US: 3100 9th Ave SE Watertown, SD 57201 Phone: ([605) 882-2222](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-do-structural-insulated-panels-really-cost#) Fax: ([605) 882-2753](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-do-structural-insulated-panels-really-cost#) E-mail: [info@enercept.com](https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-do-structural-insulated-panels-really-cost#) ### ABOUT ### Products ### Applications ### Resources ### Find Enercept ### Projects [Terms & Conditions](http://www.enercept.com/terms-conditions) [Privacy Policy](http://www.enercept.com/privacy-policy) [Site Map](https://www.enercept.com/sitemap) © Copyright 2018 Enercept, Inc. [Chat with us](https://www.livechatinc.com/chat-with/9209635/), powered by [LiveChat](https://www.livechatinc.com/?welcome) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Christine Walraven", "url" : "https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/author/christine-walraven" }, "dateModified" : "2021-05-13T19:43:00.706Z", "datePublished" : "2018-12-03T22:04:15.000Z", "headline" : "The Real Savings When You Build With Structural Insulated Panels", "image" : [ "https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/100_2252.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://3823653.hs-sites.com/blog/what-do-structural-insulated-panels-really-cost", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://3823653.hs-sites.com/hubfs/enercept-logo-orig-290x160_orig-2.png" }, "name" : "Enercept" } } ```