SIP FAQ's
About Us
Green Abode was born out of parent building company Orkney Group Ltd, which was established in 2005 by Director Kevin Turley.
Passionate about building homes that far exceed New Zealand Building Code standards, it was only a matter of time until we discovered a way to build the strongest, most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective homes possible.
Using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), the talented builders and project managers at Green Abode are delighted to be able to share the countless benefits of this green technology with Kiwi clients looking to build homes that are not only kinder to the environment but also better for their health (and easier on their wallets!)
We build homes that are inspired by Passive House principles. Check out our FAQ's or Resources pages for more information.
Green Abode is proudly associated with:
Our SIP Features
Structures built with Structural Insulated Panels perform above and beyond traditionally built buildings in numerous ways:
Energy-Efficient
SIP structures are significantly more energy-efficient than stick-built/fibreglass insulation structures.
Quiet
SIP homes and buildings are significantly quieter than traditionally built structures. Studies have shown that a quieter home or office is a healthier place to be.
Durable
SIP buildings are stronger than stick-built structures. Exhaustive laboratory testing has found them to be superior in both sheer resistance and tensile strength. Worldwide, SIP buildings are frequently found to be the only structures left standing after natural disaster events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Superior Air Quality
SIP structures have reduced air infiltration. When ventilated properly, a SIP structure has superior indoor air quality when compared with traditional building methods.
Cost Savings
Did you know that building green can work out to be a very sound financial investment? In addition to the obvious long-term cost savings with both energy modelling and blower door testing, building a new home with SIPs has a host of cost benefits.
When you factor in labour, waste hauling, and energy savings, SIP structures are comparable in price to traditionally built homes. However, energy-efficient SIP homes generally have higher market values and often qualify for energy-efficient mortgages.
SIP structures are pre-insulated, which means there is absolutely no need to pay for additional insulation.
House is weathertight and dried in quickly, which means sub-trades can get to work much sooner, and you can expect fewer delays due to wasted 'crew' days.
Job-site waste is minimal due to precut panels (resulting in around 30% less waste being sent to landfills).
SIP buildings are prefabricated and precut when delivered to the job site, which means you save 20-30% on framing labour. This also means you pay less interest because the build is finished faster.
There is no need for roof venting (even for low-sloped roofing).
A tighter house means smaller HVAC systems (generating up to a 40% energy saving).
Electrical work is completed 20-30% faster.
Better indoor air quality and smaller or no air purification systems required in most climates.
Predictable and perfectly straight engineered panels mean homes are plumb and square, which results in faster installs for finish work (doors, windows, floors, and millwork).