Direct Sips Basic Construction

Techniques for SIP Structures

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 Direct Sips Basic Build Instructions

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 – Preparation & Advice. 10 – Opening Details: Large.

3 – Foundation Options. 11 – Door Posts & Ridge Beams.

4 – SIP Connection Construction. 12 – Timber Firrings & Angled SIPs.

5 – Timber Subframe & SIP Floor. 13 – Flat Roof Construction.

6 – Basic SIPs Construction. 14 – Apex Roof Construction.

7 – SIP Imagery Key. 15 – Membrane Wrap Installation.

8 – Opening Details: From Floor. 16 – Example Build Images.

9 – Opening Details: Raised. 17 – FAQ & Troubleshooting.

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 Preparation & Advice

Before Starting:
There will be a customer instructions booklet provided alongside your kit that
acts as a construction guide. Please familiarise all contractors with the
technical notes in the SIPs construction manual as well as this document.
Advice should be sought out if the building is in a high wind area and the screw
frequency increased if required.

Preparing your base:

Ensure that the base area is flat and free from debris. (Place a weed suppressor
down if required).
Any foundations should be level and substantial enough for the intended use of
the building.

What to do when you receive your kit:

Store panels in a dry place. (Moisture can make fitting more difficult).
Identify all panels after you have stored your kit.
Some panels are assembled with joining slips for transit and identification. It is
good practice to remove them, apply adhesive and fixings, then refit.

General SIP building advice:

The building design and materials have been calculated and tested. It is the
responsibility of the project manager and installer to ensure correct methods
are followed for construction.
Appropriate health and safety procedures should be followed when lifting and
fixing panels.
Bracing should be used until walls are joined completely.
Props should be used when constructing the roof.
Panels should be screwed and glued with appropriate adhesive for strength
and airtightness.
Check the fitting of each panel before gluing.
Check the squareness of corners.
Treated timbers should be end treated if cut. (Particularly if they are likely to be
exposed to moisture).

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 Foundation Options

Neither timber subframes or

foundations are supplied by
Modular Group.
Handouts detailing each of
the foundations listed below
are available upon request.

Building Concrete Piles:

The piles will be put into the ground at spacings of
approx. 1200mm centres.
Timber Subframe Timber or steel bases can be sited on the piles.

Concrete Pile

Ground
Concrete Pile Example

Building Ground Screw Piles:

Screw piles are screwed into the ground at approx.
1200mm centres.
Timber Subframe Timber or steel bases can be sited on the piles.

Screw Pile

Ground
Ground Screw Piles Example

Building
Concrete Slabs:
The concrete slab base is first built on site to create
Timber Subframe a level foundation for the timber subframe to be
sited on.
Concrete Slab Base A timber subframe should be raised from the slab
to create a gap for airflow under the building.
Creates a gap for airflow. Concrete blocks or timbers can be used to do this.
The spacings should match up with the joints on
Ground the timber subframe.

Concrete Slab Example

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 Timber Subframe & SIP Floor Construction

Timber Subframe
Subframes and foundations
are not provided with the kits
and so should be prepared in
advance. Examples can be
found on page 3.
The timber subframe base
should have timbers spaced
at 600mm centres and it
should be sited on a proper
foundation. Joists should be
staggered and fixed evenly
between the timbers.
The floor SIPs are screwed
Photo: Example of a timber subframe
in either a timber subframe
with a SIP Floor Panel being installed.
or in bearers to secure the
SIP floor structure into the
foundations.

SIP Floor Construction Floor Edge Timber (FET)

SIP No. SIP

No.
Floor Spline (S)
FET

SIP No.
Floor SIPs: The floor is made of SIPs connected by timbers and splines. Spline (S)

Floor Edge Timber (FET)

Full Floor

Floor Beam (FB)

Floor Beam (FB)

Floor Beam (FB)

Panel (FP)
Floor Beams (FB): Timber is provided to place between the SIP floor. They go in
the rebate created when two SIPs meet and all run the same direction. They will FET Floor Spline (S)
Full Floor SIP
usually run the full length of your building. The placement of these beams for SIP Panel (FP) No.
kits are provided in your customer instructions.
FET

SIP No. Floor Spline (S)

Floor Splines (S): There will be SIP splines provided to place within your SIP SIP No.
floor in a similar manner to the floor beams. They go inside the SIP rebates where Floor Edge Timber (FET) TFP FET
panels meet, running perpendicular to the floor beams . FET

Floor Edge Timber (FET): This

is timber that fills the floor’s
perimeter SIP rebate. They are
attached once the rest of the
floor has been fitted together.
Timber Floor Packers (TFP):
They are used to extend SIP
floors small distances. They are
typically as tall as the floor SIP to
create a floor that is level.

Connecting your floor:

SIP No. SIP
The SIPs are joint together by No.
screwing adjacent SIPs to their
SIP No.
floor beams and splines.
Full Floor
When this has been done the Panel (FP)
floor edge timber is screwed into Full Floor
the perimeter of floor. SIP
Panel (FP) No.
Finally, any timber floor packers SIP No.
are attached to the their relevant
locations. They are screwed into SIP No.
the floor edge timber. Timber Floor Packer (TFP)

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 Basic SIPs Construction

SIP Spline
Basic SIP Construction Rules:
Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) should be
placed flush to one another wherever possible.
Their connection to one another is made secure
through the jointing of timbers or splines placed
within the SIP rebates that are screwed into the
OSB of the SIPs.
Splines:
The splines sit within the SIP rebate and connect
SIP Rebate panels together. These may be SIP splines or
made from timber/steel.
SIP Rebate:
Typically it is a 2-inch gap in foam at the edge of a
SIP. Further information on creating a SIP rebate
can be found in our FAQ.

Sole Plate:
These go beneath the walls and
can be used as guides for your
Wall Edge
build. They should be screwed into Timber
the floor before the walls begin to
go up so that you can confirm the
arrangement is correct to your plan.
150mm Screws

Wall Edge SIP SIP

Timber

Starting your walls: SIP SIP

An initial corner should be created
to improve stability whilst building
up the walls. Choose a corner
based on these rules.

SIP Panel

Edge Timbers:
They are timbers that finish the ends of each SIP wall. They sit on top
Corner of the sole plates and are attached like so. They should be shorter
Connection than the full height of the SIP wall to allow room for top timbers or
window/door bars to be attached on top of them where required.
When connecting SIP walls at corners or internal wall sections, the
screws should go through into the edge timber every 200 - 300mm to
ensure that the wall section is secured.

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 SIP Connection Construction
Internal Wall Edge
Construction Notes:
Remember to check squareness when securing each panel. Use a
couple of screws first, check if square, then continue with fixing.
Start at one corner for stability then connect each subsequent SIP,
potentially meeting at a door or window depending on the design.
The SIPs will be affected by moisture if stored outside for a long
period prior to building. This may make joints tight.
Foam adhesive may be used to make full airtight joints. The foam is
fast expanding, so it is recommend that you fit the panel first to
check alignment then remove to apply the foam.
Useful Tools:
Power screwdriver / Impact driver: Good for timberlock / torx bolts.
Claw hammer: Useful to clear out foam from SIPs.
Multisaw: Useful to cut SIPs or OSB.

Internal Wall Connection:

The wall edge and sole plates for internal walls are screwed to the
walls in advance of the internal SIPs being put into place.
The SIPs are slotted onto the wall edge timber and then both sides
of the SIP are screwed to it with a spacing of 200 - 300mm between
screws to ensure that the wall section is secured.

Internal SIP screwed to wall edge timber.

Window / Door Connection:

When creating the openings for doors and windows, the heights
should be marked on the SIP before setting the door timbers. Make
sure you allow room for fitting tolerance with your openings.
Wide openings require greater top tolerances to allow for beam
deflection. This results in thicker timber or steel beams and it could
also impact the overall building height or overall opening height.
Further detail can be found on the opening details on pages 8 - 10.

Example door & window openings.

Top Timbers:
These are timbers that sit in the SIP rebate and finish off the tops of
the SIP wall so that there is a flush surface to attach onto.
The tops of the SIP wall may already contain timber beams or steel
bars for the structure above window/door openings. In these
cases, the top timber fit around or on top of it – ensuring to remain
flush with the top edge of the SIP.

Top timber being installed at the top of the SIP.

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 SIP Imagery Key
SIP Model Colour Key

Panel Thickness
SIP Size Range:
Colour Full/Cut Panel
(mm) 72mm SIP

White 72, 98, 122, 147, 172 Full 98mm SIP

Orange 72 Cut
122mm SIP
Yellow 98 Cut
147mm SIP
Blue 122 Cut

Green 147 Cut 172mm SIP

Stacks of SIPs in the Modular Group warehouse.
Purple 172 Cut

Side-to-side comparison
of 72mm SIPs.
72 mm

Side-to-side comparison
of 98mm SIPs.

98 mm

Side-to-side comparison
of 122mm SIPs. 122mm Photo
122 mm

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 Opening Details - From Floor
Top Timber Top Timber

OSB x 2 Opening Type A: Window / Door bar above.

DB / WB No. When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
walls and fix these in place.
Next, you should cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct
length. They should be cut to the distance between the height you
Timber want the opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates.
Opening Glue and screw your timber Opening Sides into place in the SIP
SIP No. Sides Full Wall rebate with 50mm screws.
SIP (WP)
Once the timber Opening Sides are secured, the Door Bar (DB) /
Window Bar (WB) can be glued and screwed into place above the
opening with 50mm screws.
Finish off the elevation by running the Top Timbers through the SIP
rebate up to the Door Bar / Window Bar on both sides.
For smaller Door Bars / Window Bars, the Top Timber may sit on
Sole Plate top of their core and fixed to their timber and OSB.

Top Timber

Opening Type B: SIP above.

Spline

Spline
SIP No.
When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
walls and fix these in place.
Next, you should cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct
length. They should be cut to the distance between the height you
Opening Top
want the opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates. Timber
Glue and screw your timber Opening Sides into place in the SIP Full Full
rebate with 50mm screws. Wall Timber Wall
SIP Opening SIP
The next step is to cut the Opening Top’s timber. It is cut so that it (WP) Sides (WP)
can sit across the two timber Opening Sides, each end inside the
SIP rebates. Glue and screw the Opening Top’s timber onto the
Opening Sides with 50mm screws.
Once the Opening Top is secured, the SIPs and Splines above it
can be fixed in place like normal.
Finish by running the Top Timbers through the SIP rebate. Sole Plate

Top Timber
Spline

Spline

SIP No. Opening Type C: SIP & Window / Door bar above.
OSB x 2 When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
DB / WB No. walls and fix these in place.
Next, you should cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct
length. They should be cut to the distance between the height you
Timber
Opening want the opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates.
Full Full
Sides Glue and screw your timber Opening Sides into place in the SIP
Spline

Wall SIP Wall

SIP No. SIP rebate with 50mm screws.
(WP) (WP)
Once the timber Opening Sides are secured, the Door Bar (DB) /
Window Bar (WB) can be glued and screwed into place above the
opening with 50mm screws.
Once this is secure, the SIPs and Splines above the Door Bar (DB)
/ Window Bar (WB) can be attached as normal.
Sole Plate Finish by running the Top Timbers through the SIP rebate.

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 Opening Details - Raised
Top Timber Top Timber
Opening Type D: Window / Door bar above.
OSB x 2 When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
WB No. walls and fix these in place. Make sure to fixed the SIPs and splines
that go below the opening in place before you build the rest of it.
Opening
To begin, first cut your timber Opening Bottom. It is cut so that it can
Sides sit across the opening with each end in the SIP rebate. Glue and
Opening
screw the Opening Bottom in place with 50mm screws.
Bottom Next, you should cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct
SIP No. Full Wall length. They should be cut to the distance between the height you
SIP (WP) want the opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates.
Glue and screw your timber Opening Sides into place in the SIP
rebate with 50mm screws.
Spline

Spline

SIP No. Once the timber Opening Sides are secured, the Window Bar (WB)
can be glued and screwed into place with 50mm screws.
Finish off the elevation by running the Top Timbers through the SIP
rebate up to the Window Bar on both sides.
For lower and shorter windows, the Top Timber may sit on top WB.
Sole Plate

Top Timber
Opening Type E: SIP above.
When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP

Spline

Spline
SIP No.
walls and fix these in place. Make sure to fixed the SIPs and splines
that go below the opening in place before you build the rest of it.
Opening
To begin, first cut your timber Opening Bottom and Top. They are Top / Bottom
cut so that they can sit across the opening with each end in the SIP Opening
rebate. Glue and screw the Opening Bottom in place with 50mm Sides
screws. Full Opening Full
Bottom / Top
Next, you should cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct Wall Wall
SIP SIP
length. They should be cut to the distance between the height you (WP) (WP)
want the opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates.
Glue and screw your timber Opening Sides into place in the SIP
Spline

Spline
rebate with 50mm screws. SIP No.
Once secured, glue and screw the Opening Top’s timber onto the
Opening Sides with 50mm screws. Once this has been put in
place, the SIPs and Splines sat above it can be fixed like normal.
Finish by running the Top Timbers through the SIP rebate.
Sole Plate

Top Timber
Opening Type F: SIP & Window / Door bar above.
Spline

Spline

SIP No. When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
walls and fix these in place. Make sure to fixed the SIPs and splines
OSB x 2
that go below the opening in place before you build the rest of it.
WB No.
To begin, first cut your timber Opening Bottom. It is cut so that it can
sit across the opening with each end in the SIP rebate. Glue and
Opening screw the Opening Bottom in place with 50mm screws.
Sides
Full Full Next, you should cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct
SIP No.
Spline

Wall Wall length. They should be cut to the distance between the height you
Opening
SIP SIP
(WP)
Bottom
(WP)
want the opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates.
Glue and screw your timber Opening Sides into place in the SIP
rebate with 50mm screws.
Once the timber Opening Sides are secured, the Window Bar (WB)
Spline

Spline

SIP No. can be glued and screwed into place with 50mm screws.
Once this is secure, the SIPs and Splines above the Window Bar
(WB) can be attached as normal.
Sole Plate Finish by running the Top Timbers through the SIP rebate.

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 Opening Details - Large
Top Timber Top Timber
Opening Type G: Window / Door bar with door posts.
OSB x 2
When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
DB / WB No. walls and fix these in place.
Next, cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct length. They
should be cut to the distance between the height you want the
opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates. Glue and screw your
Opening Sides into place in the SIP rebate with 50mm screws.
Opening Sides The Door Posts should be cut next. Their length should be the total
SIP No. Full Wall height of the opening. They should be cut from timber that is the
SIP (WP)
width of the SIP wall. Glue and screw the Window/Door Posts (DP)
onto the Opening Sides with 80mm. Ensure it is flush with the SIPs.
Window / Door Posts (DP)
Once the Door Posts are fitted, the Door Bar (DB) / Window Bar
(WB) can be glued and screwed into place with 50mm screws.
Finish off the elevation by running the Top Timbers through the SIP
rebate up to the Door Bar / Window Bar on both sides.
Sole Plate For lower and shorter Door Bars / Window Bars, the Top Timber
may sit on top of their core and fixed to the timber and OSB.

Opening Type H: Side SIPs as posts for the beam. DB / WB No.

For this type of opening, first ensure that the SIPs you are using as OSB x 2
posts have rebates deep enough to sit the beam into. Follow the
steps in the FAQ if you need to modify. Next, fix the walls in place. Foam is cut back to fit DB / WB.

Cut your Wall Edge Timbers and your Opening Sides. They are as Beam sits inside of the SIP rebate
long as the space between the top of your opening and the top of
the Sole Plates. Glue and screw these timbers into place in the SIP
rebate with 50mm screws.
SIP No.

SIP No.
The Window / Door Posts should be cut next. This timber is as tall
as the opening and is as wide as the SIP wall. Glue and screw the Window / Door Posts (DP)
Door Posts (DP) in place with 80mm screws, ensuring it sits flush.
Once the Door Posts are fitted, the Door Bar (DB) / Window Bar Opening Sides
(WB) can be placed into the gap made in the SIPs and then glued
and screwed into place with 50mm screws. Wall Edge Timbers
You many need to finish off your elevation by attaching a Firring.
For Door Bars / Window Bars wider than the SIP rebate, the OSB Sole Plate
on the internal face may be cut out and if it is bigger than that, the
beam may be fixed on top of the SIPs rather than within them.

Top Timber Top Timber

Timber Packer
Opening Type I: Steel Beam above.
OSB x 2 When creating this type of opening, you should first build your SIP
Steel Beam No. walls and fix these in place.
Next, cut your timber Opening Sides to the correct length. They
should be cut to the distance between the height you want the
opening to be and the top of the Sole Plates. Glue and screw your
Opening Sides into place in the SIP rebate with 50mm screws.
Opening Sides The Window / Door Posts should be cut next. This timber is as tall
Full Wall Full Wall as the opening and is as wide as the SIP wall. Glue and screw the
SIP (WP) SIP (WP)
Door Posts (DP) in place with 80mm screws, ensuring it sits flush.
Once the Door Posts are fitted, the Steel Beam can be glued and
Window / Door Posts (DP)
screwed into place with 50mm screws and Steel Tappers.
Finish off the elevation by running the Top Timbers through the SIP
rebate up to the Steel Beam on both sides.
For lower and shorter Steel Beams, the Top Timber may be fixed on
Sole Plate top of either the steel or the timber packers. For Beams wider than
the SIP wall, modifications suggested in Type H may be needed.

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 Door Posts & Ridge Beams

Door Beam (DB)

Door Side
Wall
Door Post (DP)
Edge

Wall
Door Post (DP)
Edge
Door Side

Sole Plate Sole Plate

Diagram of door posts and beams installation.

Door Posts:
Suitable timbers for Door Posts should be as wide as the walls they are being
attached to, ensuring a flush finish. The timbers are cut to the height of the opening.
Once the SIP walls have been fitted, glue and screw the Door Posts into place using
80mm screws and attaching to either timber on an opening side or onto a SIP face.
Should any openings need to change size, door posts can be used to either pack
out or widen the size of an opening through modification.

Finished door & window openings.

Ridge Beam
Ridge Beam
Ridge Beam Firring
Firring

Ridge Beam
Area to trim

Area to trim

Ridge Beam
Ridge Post
Ridge Beam
Beam Post

Ridge Beam
Ridge Post
SIP No. Beam SIP No. Ridge Beam
Post Post

Sectional detail of a Steel Ridge Beam. Diagram of Ridge Beam structure. SIP walls with Ridge Beam inserted.
Modification areas highlighted.

Ridge Beams:
Ridge To prepare for the ridge beam you will typically finish all of the SIP walls first. Once
Screw Beam Screw complete, fix the Ridge Beam Posts into place by gluing and screwing at an angle.
The Ridge Beam Firring should be attached to the Ridge Beam before continuing.
Typically, the SIPs on top of the gable end of the building need modifying to fit the
Ridge Beam Post

Ridge Beam Post

beam. Scribe the end section of the Ridge Beam and its Firring on paper to use as a
Timber

Timber
Edge

Edge

SIP No. SIP No. guide to draft the area of the SIPs that will need to be cut out for the beam to fit in.
Cut the top SIPs as drafted, create a deeper rebate, if needed, and offset the timber.
Take care to follow proper health and safety procedures when lifting and fixing the
Screws to be fixed at an angle through the
SIP, edge timber and the ridge beam posts.
Ridge Beam into place. The Ridge Beam should be secured with screws fixed at an
Screw Screw
angle to the Edge Timbers on the adjoining SIPs and the Ridge Beam Posts.
The roof is secured onto the Ridge Beam and it may also fix any internals fittings.
Diagram showing how to screw at an angle.

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 Timber Firrings & Angled SIPs

Diagram of firring installation on top of finished SIP walls.

Firrings:
The Firrings are a piece of timber that sits beneath the roof and on top of the Wall
SIPs. This creates the roof angle and helps bring water to the bottom of the building.
The screws used to attach Firrings are 50mm on the short end and 80mm at the top.
Typically, Firrings are delivered in two or more parts that make up their full length.
Some Firrings are rectangular rather than angled. When the roof is installed, these
Firrings may need to be packed out with spare timber in the roof angles gap.
Customer Instructions for kits will include information on where Firrings should go.
The firrings will usually come in two halves stacked
on top of the other. Simply fix these next to each other.

Area to be cut from the

A perfect corner is not SIPs is where it crosses
necessary for the top the Ridge Beam & Cap.
timber on angled SIPs.
& Ridge Cap
Ridge Beam

Modified Edge Timber

Modified Edge Timber

r To
be p Tim
im
pT be
To r

SIP No. SIP No.

Edge Timber
Edge Timber

Ridge
Beam The edge timbers next
Posts to the ridge beam should
also be modified to fit in.

Diagram of an Angled SIPs within a build. Sectional diagram of modifications on an angled SIP next to a Ridge Beam.

Angled SIPs:
The Top Timber On a steeper roof, SIPs cut an angle are typically used instead of Firrings.
would run through
the SIP rebate. The angled SIPs are used much like any other SIP. One difference is to be mindful
of how the Top Timbers are put in place. Any edge timbers or wall splines put in the
SIP wall should ensure that they will not intrude on where the Top Timber needs to
run across to be flush with the edge of the SIPs.
Typically, the gable ends of an apex roof will use angled SIPs. In these cases the
SIPs may need to be modified to give space for the Ridge Beam. For more
information on this refer to page 11.
Photograph of an Angled SIP.

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 Flat Roof Construction
1 2 3 Build Order:
Before beginning to construct a Flat Roof, ensure
that the Top Timbers and the Firrings have been
installed correctly and that they are secure.
4 Whilst constructing the roof, make sure that you
are using props to support the parts of the roof.
To begin the roof, put the first rows of SIPs and
Roof Splines in place. Use screws to temporarily
hold SIPs where required. When this is done, put
in the first Roof Beam and attach the SIPs to it.
Attach the next row of SIPs onto the Roof Beam
and repeat the previous process until the roof is
finished. Roof Edge Timbers should be used to
fill out the perimeter SIP rebate on the roof.
Some buildings will require Roof Facing Timbers
which extend the edge of the roof.
Finally, secure the roof down to the walls below.

Standard Roof Beam (RB): Timber is typically Begin 2nd row. Ensure to use
suitable props.
used for the Roof Beam. This runs through the SIP
rebate and is attached to adjoining SIPs & splines.
Composite Roof Beam (CRB): These are used
over larger spans. Additional timber strengthens
the beams and each edge sits in a SIP rebate.
Steel Roof Beam (SRB): Over the largest spans
steel might be used in SIP rebates instead. Repeat until the Add the roof
Roof Spline (S): The SIPs are joint together with roof is complete. edge timber.
these. They run perpendicularly with Roof Beams.
Roof Edge Timber (RET): The SIP rebate of the
roof perimeter is filled with this timber.
Roof Facing Timber (RFT): This timber attached
to the roof edge and used to extend the roof size.

Finishing the Roof:

Securing Down the Roof:
Ensure that the SIP roof is complete before you
Roof Edge
Timber begin to secure it down and that the props remain
Roof Edge in place until it fully secured.
Timber
When securing the roof, screw down through the
whole panel, top-to-bottom. The screws go to the
150mm
Screws
SIP wall attaching to Firrings or the Top Timbers.
Firring Membrane Wrap:
The SIP building is now ready for the membrane
wrap to go on it. Refer to page 16 for more details.
Overhangs & Battens:
Once the membrane wrap is installed, battens for
Firring the External Walls, EPDM Roof and Overhangs
can be screwed into place.
Diagram shows an example of how the roof is attached to SIP walls.

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 Apex Roof Construction
Build Order:
1 2 3 Before beginning an Apex Roof, ensure that the
Top Timbers, the Firrings and the Ridge Beams
are correctly installed and secure.
Whilst constructing the roof, make sure that you
are using props to support the parts of the roof.
To begin the roof, put the first rows of SIPs and
splines in place one side of the apex. Use screws
and props to temporarily hold SIPs in place and
4 5 then put the Roof Beam in and fix it to the SIPs .
Attach the next row of SIPs onto the Roof Beam
and repeat the previous process until the side of
the apex roof is finished.
When this is complete fix the Apex Ridge Cap in
place at the peak, screwing it into the SIP rebate.
The Roof Edge Timber & Roof Facing Timbers
should be attached in a similar way to a flat roof.
Secure the roof to the walls & Ridge Beam below.

Apex Ridge Cap (ARC): The ARC is a composite 6 7

timber beam designed to serve as the peak on an
apex roof and join both sides of the roof together.
Ensure that proper health and safety procedures
are followed when lifting and installing the ARC.

The second side of the roof should be started by

attaching the first SIP to the Apex Ridge Cap and
screwing and gluing it into place.
The SIPs and splines for the rest of the row should
be put into place and then the construction of this 8 9 10
side of the roof can be completed similarly to the
first side, making sure to connect each rows
starting SIP to the Apex Ridge Cap .
Once complete this side of the roof should also be
secured to the SIP walls & Ridge Beam below.

Finishing the Roof:

Securing Down the Roof:
Ensure that each side of the SIP roof is complete
Roof Edge before you begin to secure them down and that
Timber
the props remain in place until it is fully secured.
When securing the roof, screw down through the
whole panel, top-to-bottom. The screws go to the
SIP wall attaching to Firrings or the Top Timbers.
150mm Membrane Wrap:
Screws The firrings sit on
top of the SIP wall The SIP building is now ready for the membrane
wrap to go on it. Refer to page 16 for more details.
Overhangs & Battens:
Once the membrane wrap is installed, battens for
the External Walls, EPDM Roof and Overhangs
can be screwed into place.
Diagram shows an example of how the roof is attached to the SIP walls.

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14
 Membrane Wrap Installation

Step One: Cover the Openings

The first step requires you cut an adequate amount of
the breathable membrane to cover the edges of the
openings.
Fix these cuts of the membrane into place over the
opening’s edges so that the internal timbers sitting
between the OSB is covered.
The membrane wrap can be fixed by stapling it to the
OSB on the SIPs.

Step Two: Cover the Building

Once all of the openings have been covered sufficiently,
the building can be covered with the membrane wrap.
You should cut out holes for the openings – ensuring
that enough is left over to fold the wrap around the
corners of the opening whilst doing so.
Staple the breathable membrane to the SIPs to fix it in
place. As you work the membrane wrap up the building,
make sure the top sections of the membrane overlaps
the section below by at least 150mm.

Step Three: Finish the Openings

The leftover membrane wrap from cutting the openings
should be used to wrap around the corners of the
opening as intended.
Pay careful attention to make sure that all the corners
have been wrapped properly.
If building has been wrapped correctly, the opening
should resemble the images to the left.

15 TEL . 01254 957251 © Direct Sips 2024

 Example Build Images

Timber subframe on ground screws.

Floor SIP being attached to a timber subframe.

SIP roof being finished.

Constructions of wall started from a corner.

EPDM rubber roof installed.

SIPs built to shell on a chassis. Battens put onto membrane wrap.

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16
 FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQ’s & Troubleshooting

Expanding Foam - Is used to fill any voids created
when building. It can be used on every joint if you wish
to create an air tight structure.
Timber Splines - Timber can be used as an alternative
to splines when joining panels together.
Splines and timber - Can be used as joined sections.
Structural timbers should be single length, if possible.
Small or light damage - If found on corners and edges
it will not affect structural integrity of the build.
Panel edges - If needed, SIP edges can be cut to
make edges square during build.
Polyurethane glue - This will stain hands and
clothing. Gloves should be worn for protection.
Sole plates - Can alternatively be laid as full lengths
for each elevation and doorways cut out after SIP
build.
Modifications - Builds can be modified by moving full
panels around. The SIPs can be cut after installation to
make windows and doors. Edges will either need to be
rebated, or cut larger and plated.
Rebating foam for clearance - The best method is to
cut SIPs or OSB with a handsaw or multisaw and use a
claw hammer to chop out the foam when rebating the
SIP. Polyurethane foam does not cut with a hot knife.

17 TEL . 01254 957251 © Direct Sips 2024