FAQ

Using this unconventional building method allows you to save on the most expensive part of any building work, labor. Due to swift production you are able to save between 25-40% compared to conventional building methods while maintaining the convenience of staying at home. Our company is currently the only business in Ireland providing this service using this method.

Yes, during the construction process homeowners can remain on the property. We will ask that the section of the house that is being renovated will not be used during this process.

The workspan ranges between 3-5 weeks onsite, depending on the options chosen. The whole process takes approximately 10 weeks from signing off on the plans until completion. Our extensions are usually completed up to twice as fast compared to conventional extensions.

The way M&M Extensions work is through a multi stage process. 1 Fill out our online pricing tool.

2 Receive a free visit to discuss materials, designs and measurements for the extension.

3 The extension will be produced in a factory.

4 Construction begins six weeks later.

5 The foundation and walls are constructed.

6 Handover occurs approximately four weeks later.

1 SIPs save money in every phase of their lifecycle – building with SIPs benefits homeowners with an overall 35% savings compared to conventional building methods thanks to the following features:

● Automated production delivers precision, saving time and resources

● Reduced man-hours in assembly and installation

● Heavily reduced energy consumption throughout their entire life

● High-quality and strength of the panels result in an extended product life

● Eliminate the need to vacate the property and spend money on accommodation during construction

2 Engineered and constructed to suit any building, we can create SIPs that completely align to your architectural and design vision – gaining all the mentioned benefits without compromising on appearance to create a space that’s uniquely yours.

3 SIPs are unparalleled in their insulation and airtightness – halving the energy consumptions of traditional timber frames. Buildings that utilise the incredible feats of SIPs are LEED aligned and net-zero-ready structures, so you’ll be contributing to a sustainable future while being less affected by outside weather conditions.

4 SIPs are among the most sustainable and eco-friendly building systems available, remaining so for the rest of their lives. Not only do they heavily reduce energy consumption in the home and reduce CO2 levels in the environment, but their materials use less energy in production, and their factory construction method wastes fewer resources than on-site construction.

The extension can easily withstand almost all weather conditions and remain in great condition for over 100 years if well cared for. Extension walls need to have new sealers added to the wood after 40 years to ensure the extension remains in good condition.

SIP Energy U-Values U-values are one component in your building Energy Rating (BER). Final u-values on SIP Energy buildings depend on a combination of panel thickness and type of internal lining (plasterboard) chosen. Coupled with your floor insulation and window/door choices, SIP construction is the easiest way to achieve high BER scores. A summary of panel values are shown as follows:

Internal Lining / Panel Thickness 130mm 155mm 180mm
Standard 12.5mm Plaster Board 0.26 0.23 0.16
37mm Insulated Plaster Board 0.21 0.18 0.15
50mm Insulated Plaster Board 0.18 0.16 0.14
62mm Insulated Plaster Board 0.16 0.14 0.13


Remember: it is possible to achieve very high energy ratings (A, B), even with modest panel u-values, due to the inherent airtightness. SIP Energy & Airtightness Performance – the Industry leader Airtightness of a building has been estimated to account for between 20% – 30% of your building’s energy requirement. By virtue of building with SIP Energy panels, you are already on the path to not only exceed Airtightness requirements, as laid down in Building Regulations, but also to exceed Passive standards.

There is a 10 year guarantee which applies to the roof work on the extension.

The sound resistance of a SIP wall depends on the thickness of the gypsum drywall applied, the exterior finish applied and the thickness of the insulating foam core that is used. SIPs are especially effective at blocking high frequency noise, and most homeowners notice the quiet comfort of a SIP home. However, low frequency sounds are not as effectively stopped by a SIP building envelope. For multifamily and commercial buildings, a universal sound transmission coefficient (STC) is used to specify the sound resistance of wall assemblies. Assemblies with a range of STC ratings are available, including options with a STC rating greater than 50 for party walls in multifamily buildings. SIP manufacturers can provide more information on these assemblies.

Yes, you can choose any combination of windows and doors you might like. We work closely with a few key suppliers making sure price and service is unparalleled.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are high-performance building panels used in floors, walls, and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings. The panels are made by sandwiching a core of rigid foam plastic insulation between two structural facings, such as oriented strand board (OSB). Other skin materials can be used for specific purposes. SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions and can be custom designed for each project. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, energy-efficient and cost effective. Building with SIPs will save you time, money and labor.

Structural insulated panels are one of the most environmentally responsible building systems available. A SIP building envelope provides continuous insulation, is extremely airtight, allows for better control over indoor air quality, reduces construction waste, and helps save natural resources. Life cycle analysis has shown that SIP homes have a tremendous positive environmental impact by reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the home’s life cycle. SIP designs can save 45% more CO2 with a 5.1 year energy payback and a 3.8 year greenhouse gas payback compared to stick framing examples.

The structural characteristics of SIPs are similar to that of a steel I-beam. The OSB facers act as the flange of the I-beam, while the rigid foam core provides the web. This design gives SIPs an advantage when handling in-plane compressive loads. SIPs are used for high wind designs in excess of 280 kmh. The load-bearing area of SIPs is equivalent to building with 2 x 10 framing at 40 Centimeters on center.

Like all wood frame buildings, SIPs present a manageable fire risk when their construction meets the fire precautions listed in the building code. Residential codes typically require the application of a 30-minute fire-resistant thermal barrier on the interior for all residential structures, accomplished by applying 1/2-in. thick gypsum board or a material of equivalent thermal performance.

SIPs are compatible with almost any building system. Wall panels can sit on a variety of foundation materials, including poured concrete, blocks, or insulated concrete forms. SIPs are sized to accept dimensional lumber and are seamlessly compatible with stick framing. Builders may choose to build with SIP walls and a conventional truss roof or with stick walls and a SIP roof with little difficulty. SIPs are also popular as a method of providing a well-insulated building enclosure for timber frame and steel structures.

Electrical wires are pulled through pre-cut channels inside the core of the panels called “chases.” Chases are added during the manufacturing process according to the electrical design of the home. Electricians can feed wires through panel chases without compressing the insulation or drilling through studs.