"Andy Hall" wrote in message
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On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 16:03:55 +0100, "IMM" wrote:


"Andy Hall" wrote in message
.. .


It does, however, illustrate
that there can be installation
problems,

That is the case with any construction method.

Of course. However, this one is marketed as being simple to do and
idiotproof. It isn't,

It. Follow the simple instruction. One selling point of SIPs is that
unskilled men can be easily trained up in them. No expensive hard to get
tradesmen.

and when things do go wrong, they are
expensive to fix.

Depends on what went wrong. Replacing one wall panel is easy. Some can be
patched up with OSB and foam injected.

This is not necessarily a reason
not to use the technology, but the
suppliers should at least be honest
in their claims

They are honest. Not one has faled yet. Only failures are due to shoddy
workmanship.

- it is not all plain sailing.

It is. A waetherproof shell can be up within a few days.

The first SIP panelled homes were in the 1950s and are still there today. I
can't say that about many of the masonry homes in the UK that never lasted
15 years.

and I already mentioned the
potential for infestations.

Which is not a point in the UK, and
will no longer be a point in the US.

Rodents and insects are present here.

Different types and far less of them. The same problems exist for SIPs as
for timber frames.

Neither is intended to say that
this technology may not have some use,
but it is certainly not without its share of issues.

What isues are those?

Already covered.

You never covered any. You only highlighted shoddy workmanship.

When compiling a list of advantage and
disadvantages the disadvantages are
few and far between.

There are certainly some,
and when they arise, the implications are
substantial.

Name me the disadvantages?

Removing entire roofs and walls is not everybody's
idea of fun.

Shoddy workmanship. A recent TV consumer programme highlighted a whole
complex of brick built homes that required the roofs be re-roofed. Why?
Shoddy workmanship.

In terms of the end result and the implications of putting it right,
it doesn't matter whether it is the material or the way it is
installed. However, it is clearly not as idiot proof as the
manufacturers would like to claim.

It is idiot proof if you follow the instructions.

If something were as idiot proof
as the manufacturers claim, it would
not be a problem.

No highly skilled men are needed to erect them. The makers have never said
"idiot proof". Just less skilled men working on them.

Unless used as part of a factory
prefabricated construction, mistakes
can be made.

Human nature can't be taken into account. As yet few panels failed even to
shoddy workmanship. Only 90 in Alaska.

If you don't follow the
instruction with IKEA furniture it wobbles.

In any event, a manufacturer is hardly
likely to say that problems are
inherent in his product, is he?

An official report put it squarly with shoddy workmanship.

You can buy the SIP Association report if you like:
http://www.sips.org/publications/stuff.html


I'll skip that. It's very easy for manufacturers
to blame shoddy workmanship,

The official US government report sated shoddy workmanship.

and undoubtedly this is a problem.

It is not a major problem as few have failed to shoddiness to the installed
base.

However, they should not then market
their product and technology as
idiot proof

They don't. They say unskiled men can be trained up quickly in SIPs,
nothing else. Read the book I posted.

You can't have it both ways.

You can. SIPs are near enough a panacea. Follow the instructions and hey
presto a weather proof shell in a few days so internal work can go on in the
winter and superinsulation and soundproofing as standard for the resident.
Brilliant. In the US finishing trades love them as they have a small heater
in the place in the winter and they work in comfort. Houses are completed
in quicko time. Selbuilders love em too for the same reasons.