Modern SIP Farm House Edgemont SD

Location: Edgemont, SD

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This is a custom home.

From Foundation to Finish: A Masterclass in High-Performance Living

What happens when a homeowner’s dream meets a builder’s obsession with efficiency? You get a custom home that doesn’t just look beautiful—it breathes, protects, and performs at a level most houses can only imagine.

At Erskin Construction, we don’t just "do" SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels); we live by them. In fact, we were hired for this specific project because of our exclusive commitment to SIP construction. The result? A home that feels as cozy as a cabin but functions with the precision of a laboratory.

The "Total Envelope" Strategy

Most energy-efficient homes focus on the walls and the roof. We took it a step further. This project features a SIP foundation, a fully engineered system that brings an R-32 insulation value to the basement with walls only 8 5/8" thick.

By using SIPs for the entire thermal envelope—foundation, walls, and roof—we turned the house into a seamless, insulated vault.

The Walls: 6 1/2" EPS foam core.

The Roof: A massive 12 1/4" EPS foam core.

The Result: A blower door test score of 0.12 ACH50. To put that in perspective, that is roughly five times tighter than the requirement for Passive House certification!

Comfort You Can Feel (and Afford)

The homeowner was immediately struck by the "feel" of the home. Whether you are in the basement or on the main floor, the temperature remains remarkably consistent. Because the envelope is so airtight, the mechanical requirements for the home plummeted:

Micro-Climate Control: The entire home is heated and cooled by just two mini-splits (42,000 BTUs total).

Fresh Air: To keep the indoor air pristine, we installed a Zehnder ERV Q600, providing balanced ventilation without losing heat.

Smart Distribution: We utilized a Rheia duct system to ensure that conditioned air reaches every corner of the open-concept design efficiently.

Faster Builds, Smaller Crews

Efficiency wasn't just about the utility bills; it was about the build process itself. We were able to install the SIPs with a smaller crew in significantly less time than it would have taken a larger team to stick-frame a traditional home. This allowed us to get the home dried-in and protected from the elements faster than ever.

Design Meets Durability

This isn’t just a "green box." It’s a stunning custom home featuring:

Timber Frame Accents: Beautiful "eyebrow" roofs shade the large windows.

Natural Shading: Expansive front and back porches that manage solar gain.

Future-Ready: While there are no panels yet, the standing-seam metal roof is fully prepped for a future solar installation.

Efficient Finishes: From Pella windows (U-Factor of .27) to a heat pump water heater and low-draw LED lighting, every detail was chosen to minimize the home's footprint.

“This home has large open rooms and yet feels incredibly cozy and comfortable. It’s the perfect marriage of a homeowner’s vision and high-performance engineering.”

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