In 2017 my wife and I designed and built our own ‘big’ tiny house using refrigeration panels. After the large 9 x 3 x 4.2m tiny house was completed, I was keen to push the boundaries to allow for even bigger and lighter designs. Living in NZ, the building material monopoly doesn’t allow for many alternatives, so I decided to research what was available overseas. This is how ALSIPS began.
ALSIPS are a new building material for tiny house builders, cabin manufacturers or DIY’ers embarking on their own travel trailer, toy hauler, house boat or camper project. They are comparably 5x lighter than traditional framing and cladding methods and 3x lighter than commonly used steel skinned SIPS (refrigeration panels). They consist of an EPS foam core sandwiched between and bonded to two layers of Aluminium sheet. Weighing between 3.23 & 4.24kg/m2 (depending on thickness) the panels are extremely light weight, making them perfect for structures built on trailers where weight is often a key factor.
Just because ALSIPS are extremely light, it doesn’t mean strength is compromised. ALSIPS panels, like any SIP’s, are extremely strong due to the makeup resembling that of an I-beam, where the aluminium skins act as the beam flange and the EPS foam core acts as the beam web. Jointing and assembling the panels use similar techniques to traditional refrigeration panels. Aluminium extrusions (channels and angles) are riveted together at internal and external corners to create a rigid and weather tight structure.
On top of the weight saving benefits, Al-SIP panels are a fast, cost effective and ‘easy for the DIY’er’ way to create structures compared to traditional framing, insulating and cladding methods. The panel is effectively frame, insulation, vapor barrier, internal and external cladding all in one, saving you valuable labour time and cost.
ALSIPS, understands that working with non-traditional materials can be a little daunting, so we are offering a free design service* for your tiny house or similar mono-pitched project if you choose to build with ALSIPS. The design service includes detailed working drawings, material lists and also individual cutting drawings for each panel of your project. You can also visit the website at www.alsips.co.nz and check out the resources page to learn about how the panels are used. If you’d like to learn more about how ALSIPS can help you be at the cutting edge of your business or project, contact us at sales@alsips.co.nz or give us a call! We are here to help!
*see website for further details