Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Bridlewood Builders is the first member of the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) to receive the SIPA Certified Builder designation. All SIPA Certified Builders have received training on structural insulated panel (SIP) installation and displayed a proven track record of constructing energy-efficient SIP homes.
SIPA launched the Certified Builder Program in the summer of 2011 to help homeowners and general contractors identify trained and reputable SIP installers. SIPA Certified Builders can be located through the SIPA membership directory.
Husband and wife management team Terry and Robin Loughran of Bridlewood Builders adopted SIPs as part of their homebuilding business nearly 15 years ago. They have since attended the SIP School’s SIPs 301 Certified Installer Workshop and now construct SIP homes in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and the Washington DC area.
Take the first step in becoming a SIPA Certified Builder by attending the SIPschool’s SIPs 301 Installation for SIP Professionals workshop, October 24 – 27 in Charles Town, West Virginia.
This four day intensive hands-on workshop covers the entire process of installing SIPs. Students work with veteran SIP installers in the classroom and in the field erecting a SIP structure.
Successful graduates need only to submit a blower door test and inspection checklist from a completed SIP project to earn the SIPA Certified Builder designation. SIPA Certified Builders receive special recognition in the SIPA membership directory and can promote themselves as trained, qualified installers of structural insulated panels.
There are a number of different certification options available, including online training. Learn more about builder certification here.
Belfast, Maine-based design build firm G•O Logic received the prestigious EcoHome Grand Design Award for their ultra-efficient Passive House, dubbed The GO Home. Set on a 3-acre pastoral lot in Belfast, Maine, the 1,300 sq. ft. home was the 12th house in the U.S. to meet the rigorous Passive House Standard.
Passive House construction requires nearly a 90 percent reduction in heating and cooling loads over current building codes through the combination of passive solar design and a super insulated building envelope. The GO Home rose to the challenge with large south-facing windows for solar heating and a high performance SIP building enclosure. What little heating is required is powered by an evacuated-tube solar thermal unit and a 2.8 kW solar array–making the home near zero energy. Over 30 years, the home is expected to save $170,000 in utility costs, nearly equaling the entire cost of construction.
