A factory producing US-style structural insulated panels (SIPs) is to be built in the UK to cater for what is expected to be rising demand for this new form of timber construction.
Angel Design & Development, which operates five structural insulated panel production plants in the US, employing 160, is looking to open a British site within the next two or three months.
The plant, likely to be located in the Lichfield area and employ 30, will produce a range of SIPs for UK builders including 8x4ft and 12x24ft sizes.
Unlike conventional UK timber frame – which involves the supply of a timber skeleton and extensive on-site finishing work – structural panels are supplied to the site ready insulated and finished with window and door apertures already cut.
The panels can be assembled rapidly on site with only joinery, ducting and, if needed, brick cladding or scree finishing remaining for the builder.
Traditional roof trusses can be replaced by large SIP panels up to 12in thick.
Angel believes the time is right to build the facility in the UK given the steep rise in demand for timber frame over the past year. Until now SIP construction has been used to a limited extent in the UK, mostly for the swift erection of commercial buildings such as fast food outlets and hotels. Angel Design predicts its new plant will benefit from increasing use in residential and other commercial applications.
Raymond Durber, principal at Angel Design & Development, said: ‘There has been huge interest over the past six months. We think it is going to prove popular because SIP construction takes timber frame a step further – it improves on timber frame. It is not just a skeleton it is a complete section of wall.’
According to Mr Durber, none of Angel’s SIP building projects has encountered any planning obstacles.
