Delivery is one of the most important parts of ordering SIP panels, especially for custom builds, garden rooms, extensions and full-board SIP kits. A SIP kit can be quick to install once it is on site, but the delivery still needs planning: the vehicle needs access, the panels need safe unloading, and the customer needs enough people or equipment ready when the driver arrives.
This guide explains how to prepare for SIP panel delivery, what offloading normally involves, and how to estimate the weight of full-size 2440mm x 1220mm SIP panels. The aim is to make delivery predictable before the order arrives, not something that causes delays on the day.
Quick answer
UltraSIPs delivery is quoted from the delivery postcode, the shipment size, approximate weight and the vehicle required. Unless a separate offloading service has been agreed, unloading is handled by the customer. That means you should have suitable labour, lifting equipment, clear access and a dry storage area ready before the vehicle arrives.
A full 2440mm x 1220mm SIP panel can weigh roughly 43.5kg to 62.4kg depending on the insulation core and thickness. Smaller cut panels will usually be lighter, but large full boards should still be treated as a two-person lift at minimum, and heavier/larger packs should be moved mechanically where possible.
What is included in a SIP panel delivery?
The exact contents depend on what you order, but a SIP delivery can include full SIP boards, cut SIP panels, splines, timber pack, membrane, fixings, EPDM or roof accessories, and any additional items that have been quoted. Custom builds may also include labelled panels and a panel schedule so each panel can be identified on site.
Before delivery is booked, the important questions are: how big is the largest panel, how much does the total load weigh, what vehicle is required, and can that vehicle safely access the delivery address?
Approximate full-board SIP panel weights
The figures below are based on a standard 2440mm x 1220mm full SIP panel using two Sterling OSB3 faces. We have used 19.6kg per OSB3 face, so the two OSB faces together weigh 39.2kg before the insulation core is added.
The insulation weights are then added for one full-size PIR board. These are practical guide weights for delivery planning and manual handling. Actual weights can vary slightly due to manufacturer tolerances, moisture content, facings, batch variation and the final panel specification.
| PIR core thickness | Finished SIP thickness* | Celotex / Soprema GA4000-range core | Approx full SIP weight | IKO Enertherm core | Approx full SIP weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50mm | 72mm | 5.5kg | 44.7kg | 4.3kg | 43.5kg |
| 75mm | 97mm | 8.0kg | 47.2kg | 6.5kg | 45.7kg |
| 100mm | 122mm | 12.0kg | 51.2kg | 8.6kg | 47.8kg |
| 120mm | 142mm | 14.2kg | 53.4kg | 10.4kg | 49.6kg |
| 150mm | 172mm | 17.6kg | 56.8kg | 13.0kg | 52.2kg |
| 200mm | 222mm | 23.2kg | 62.4kg | 17.3kg | 56.5kg |
*Finished SIP thickness assumes 11mm OSB3 on each side of the PIR core, so the finished panel thickness is the PIR core plus 22mm.
How to use these weights on site
The weights above are for a single full-size panel. A full delivery can include many panels, and once panels are stacked together the pack weight increases quickly. For example, ten 122mm Celotex/Soprema-core full boards would be roughly 512kg before packaging, timber, membrane, fixings or any other items are added.
That is why delivery planning should be based on the whole load, not just the weight of one board. Even if one board can technically be lifted by two people, unloading a full pack by hand can be slow, tiring and unsafe if the team is not prepared.
Best practice for unloading SIP panels
For most SIP deliveries, the safest approach is to have a clear unloading plan before the vehicle arrives. The driver may not always be able to help unload, and driver assistance should not be assumed unless it has been specifically agreed in writing.
1. Have enough people ready
For full boards and larger cut panels, plan for at least two capable people per lift. For awkward panels, windy conditions, long carries or panels above roughly 50kg, more people may be needed. The goal is to keep each lift controlled, not to see how few people can carry it.
If the delivery includes a large number of panels, a team of three or four people will normally be far more practical than one or two people trying to unload everything slowly. This is especially true where the panels need to be carried through a garden, around a property, through a gate or into a storage area.
2. Use mechanical help where possible
If you have access to a forklift, telehandler, pallet truck on suitable ground, site trolley, panel trolley or other lifting equipment, it can make unloading faster and safer. Make sure the equipment is suitable for the load and that the ground is firm, level and clear.
HIAB, Moffett or assisted offloading is not supplied as standard. If you need lifting assistance, tell us before ordering or before delivery is booked so we can discuss the available options. It is much harder to solve on the day once the vehicle is already there.
3. Check vehicle access before delivery
SIP deliveries are not always made on small vans. The vehicle depends on the panel sizes, total weight and whether the load will fit safely. That can mean anything from a van to a larger rigid vehicle or curtainsider depending on the order.
Before delivery, check the route for narrow lanes, low bridges, weight restrictions, tight turning areas, steep driveways, soft ground, parked cars, overhanging trees and restricted access. If access is difficult, tell us early so the delivery can be quoted and booked realistically.
4. Prepare a dry, flat storage area
SIP panels should be stored flat, supported and protected from prolonged weather exposure. Ideally, have bearers ready so the panels are kept off the ground, and have suitable waterproof sheeting available if the panels are not being installed straight away.
Do not leave panels sitting directly on wet ground. Keep packs stable, avoid twisting panels, and protect exposed edges where possible. If panels are being stored outside temporarily, make sure water cannot pool on or around the stack.
5. Think about the route from vehicle to build area
Unloading is not just taking panels off a vehicle. You also need to think about where they are going afterwards. Measure gates, side paths and access points. Remove obstacles. Check whether panels need to turn around corners. If the delivery has to be carried a long distance, allow more people and more time.
For garden rooms and outbuildings, the final build location is often at the back of the property. A narrow side passage can make manual handling much harder than expected, even when the vehicle can park close to the house.
Delivery for stock panels versus custom SIP kits
Stock SIP products are normally simpler to plan because the sizes are known and the product is already defined. Custom SIP kits can take longer because the panel schedule, build specification, openings, accessories and lead time all need to be confirmed.
Custom builds also need more careful delivery planning because one project may include a mix of walls, roof panels, gable panels, splines, timber, membrane and roof covering. If there are larger panels or unusual shapes, the delivery vehicle and unloading plan may change.
What information helps us quote delivery correctly?
The more accurate the information, the better the delivery quote. Useful details include the full delivery postcode, any access restrictions, whether the road can take larger vehicles, whether there is space to stop safely, whether you have unloading equipment, and whether the site has any time restrictions.
If the project is being priced from the configurator, the system can estimate size, weight and vehicle fit from the build. If the project is being quoted from drawings, we may need to estimate panel count, largest panel size and total weight before final manufacturing details are confirmed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the driver will unload the panels.
- Only having one person available when full boards are being delivered.
- Not checking if the vehicle can access the delivery address.
- Forgetting about narrow gates, side passages or long carries to the build area.
- Having nowhere dry and flat to store the panels.
- Leaving delivery planning until the day before arrival.
Our practical recommendation
For small deliveries, have at least two people ready and a clear route to a dry storage area. For larger SIP kits, plan for a small team and mechanical assistance where possible. If you are unsure whether your site can handle the delivery, speak to us before the order is placed so we can flag any likely issues early.
The delivery quote is only part of the job. A well-prepared unloading plan protects the panels, keeps the site safer and helps the build start smoothly.
Need help planning your SIP delivery?
If you are ordering SIP panels, a garden room kit, an extension package or a larger self-build shell, send us the delivery postcode and any access notes. We can help estimate the likely vehicle, panel weights and unloading considerations before you commit to the order.
You can also use the UltraSIPs configurator to build a kit and request a live delivery quote based on the size and weight of your project.