If you’re considering an extension, it’s likely you’ll be considering three main criteria —size, cost and speed. But if speed is your priority, what’s the fastest way to get it built?
From the traditional triedand-tested method of timber frames to structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete formwork and modular kits, there are multiple options when it comes to extending your home quickly.
Size will influence how quickly your extension is built but the construction materials used will equally have an effect. With some manufacturers suggesting their method is quicker, we’re delving into the options to find out the fastest way to build an extension.
SIPS EXTENSIONS
If you’re looking for a lowimpact build method, you may be considering SIPs. According to the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA), SIPs “consist of an insulating foam core sandwiched between two structural facings, typically oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are manufactured under factorycontrolled conditions and can be fabricated to fit nearly any building design. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy-efficient and cost-effective.”
Sometimes referred to as timber frames without the timber, the panels are either manufactured offsite to bespoke sizes, or purchased off-shelf in set sizes. As they are pre-made with the insulation, using them can speed up the construction phase. However, they also come with restrictions.
“SIPs are a great system,” says architect Melissa Robinson, director of MW Architects, “but they are a very defined system. The panels come in set sizes, and although you can use your design skills to make them work, if you’re looking for bespoke panels, they have longer lead times and will cost more than a traditional off-the-shelf panel.
“They can also be very unadaptable in the long run,” she adds. “If, for example, you build a brick wall and then suddenly you decide you want a window, then that’s easy to do. But, if you’ve used SIPs, you can’t. The other benefit with SIPs is that you will definitely get a thinner construction size without compromising thermal performance and thus a slightly larger internal floor space.”
However, even though they may make constructing the walls quicker, Rick Fabrizio, director of Tholos Architects, says it’s important to remember there are still other stages involved. “If you are building with SIP panels or other methods, such as insulated concrete framework, you wi
