Extract

Globally, it has been noted that construction industry uses non-regenerative materials that has significant impacts on the environment. This study is to find suitable alternative manufacturing process for structural insulated panels (SIPs). Although the conventional SIPs when compared to conventional timber framing (CTF) are eco-friendly, clean materials and energy efficiency very high. SIPs are made of two facing boards called oriental strand board (OSB) and the inner continuous insulating core of either expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) or extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) or polyurethane foam (PUR). Formaldehyde adhesive has been a common binding material for almost all furniture, building materials including OSB. EPS or XPS or PUR are non-renewable materials but by-product of fossil fuel that “present environmental impacts”. If SIPs manufacturers can consider alternative for inner core, it will increase the eco-friendly of SIPs. The research methodology is to compare the attributes of conventional SIP with biologically based structural insulated panel (Bio-SIP). Green Seal standards (criteria) is used to evaluate Bio- SIP with conventional SIPs to formulate matrix and SWOT analysis.

Keywords: Environmental impact; sustainability; conventional structural insulated panel (SIPs); biologically structural insulated panels (Bio-SIPs).

PDF

Download