I was interested in using SIPS for my new house, but am seeking any information on off gasing. DO any SIPS manufacturers use more friendly glues to sandwich the structure.

Also, if anyone has any information on pitfalls with using SIPS. So I heard it is problematic to use if the foundation is not level - how common is this #%?

Thanks

See www.sipweb.com and www.sips.org

Outgasing? Hmmm. Never heard much about this topic in my years of research on SIPs. Damn near everything has some manner of outgasing and so many products use glues - OSB, plywood, engineered lumber, MDF, LDF.

One thing I can be satisfied with is that my climate requires the film barrier on the inside (as moisture would be trying to escape to the outside and penetrate/deteriorate the SIP OSB), which should prevent any outgasing from being that big an issue.

sipweb has good resources. try them!

Also...keep in mind the amount of glues, caulks, sealants that are used in building the house (i.e. Take a second and determine whether your question is paranoia or reality.). I'm not saying you don't have a point, but you sound like me back 7 years ago when I was asking the same questions.

good luck

old style polyurethane SIPs (I don't know about EPS ones) used CFCs in manufacture. Newer ones don't use CFCs and the only way they can off gas anything is if sunlight breaks down the polyurethane. Since the Polyurethane is sandwiched in OSB sunlight can't reach it and so, no problem. The only thing you have to worry about is whatever comes out of the OSB which would be the case with a regular house as well.

I used SIPS in my house. They can be a pain, but they also have many benefits. The main drawback is they take a lot of planning for wiring, plumbing, shapes (need set of pnl dwgs). You are correct, the foundation has to be dead-on. If the negatives are overcome, they SIPS work well. Otherwise, they can lead to a downward spiral where they need extensive modification to fit an unlevel or inaccurate foundation, the Plumber comes on site a hates them, the electrician comes on site and hatest them, the HVAC guy hatest them, your neighbors are sick of foam all over their lawns, etc...