MGO SIP
vs stick built.
Not a marginally better wall — a different way of assembling a building envelope. Here is how the two compare, line by line, and what the difference costs over the life of a home.
Eleven ways they differ.
| Feature | MGO SIP panels | Stick built |
|---|---|---|
| Fire resistance | Excellent | Poor |
| Mould resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Rot resistance | Excellent | Poor |
| Airtightness | Excellent (0.3 – 2.0 ACH) | Moderate (2.5 – 5.0 ACH) |
| Energy efficiency | Up to 60% better | Standard |
| Build speed | Fast — up to 80% faster | Slower |
| Labour requirements | Lower | Higher |
| Maintenance | Low | Higher |
| Indoor air quality | Healthier — no VOCs | Can have VOCs |
| Structural strength | Up to 5× stronger | Standard framing |
| Insulation | Continuous, no thermal bridging | Interrupted at every stud |
You are not paying more.
You are moving money out of labour, waste, delays and inefficiencies — and into long-term performance.
What it actually costs.
Estimated cost comparison for a 1,500 sq ft home, stick built against a Titanwall MGO SIP envelope.
| Category | Stick built | Titanwall MGO SIP | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy (annual) | $2,800 | $1,400 | $1,400 / yr |
| Labour | $30,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
| Build time costs | $35,000 | $19,000 | $16,000 |
| Total build cost | ~$65,000 | ~$54,400 | $10,600 |
Run the numbers
Scaled from the 1,500 sq ft estimate above — a rough guide, not a quote.
- Build cost saving
- $10,600
- Energy saved
- $42,000
- Estimated total
- $52,600
- Energy savings are annual and compound over the lifespan of the home.
- Labour savings come from reduced crew size and faster assembly.
- Contractor overhead is lower because fewer subtrades are needed — framing, insulation and drywall steps are reduced.
- Build time savings include carrying costs: financing interest, site overhead and rentals.
Frost wall vs poured concrete.
The same panel system works below grade. Compared with a poured concrete foundation, the MGO SIP frost wall removes most of the wet trades from the critical path.
- ✓No forming
- ✓No concrete pumping
- ✓No cure time
- ✓Installed in 1 – 2 days
- ✓Fully insulated system
- ✓Cleaner job site
- ✓Reduced weather delays
- ✗Excavation and forming required
- ✗Concrete pump trucks
- ✗28 day cure time
- ✗Multiple wet trades
- ✗Weather dependent
- ✗Soil retention required
- ✗Prone to cracking and settlement
Installation vs cure time
Climate-resilient housing.
Titanwall applied MGO SIP envelopes across the Caribou Homes development, designed for extreme northern climates — homes that withstand heavy snow loads, high winds and extreme cold while delivering energy efficiency and resilience.
2023
The Paskwa wildfire
Approximately 300 structures were lost in the surrounding region. Homes built with the Titanwall MGO SIP envelope system remained standing and undamaged — demonstrating the fire-resilient performance of this building method, and its importance in protecting communities.
Grow facilities.
MGO SIPs suit facilities requiring strict environmental control, where the panels provide mould resistance, thermal efficiency and structural integrity while maintaining stable humidity and temperature.
Mould resistance
MGO SIPs are inherently resistant to mould and mildew, supporting a sterile environment essential for plant health and compliance.
Sterility & hygiene
Panels provide cleanable surfaces that prevent bacterial growth, critical for GMP and regulatory standards.
Consistency
Panelised systems allow for precise environmental zoning, reducing contamination risks across grow spaces.
How the panel is built.
The Panel System
Five-layer construction, hydraulic pressing, electrical chases, full technical specifications, thermal and ASTM E84 fire performance.
See the engineering →Inside the Build
How a Titanwall building goes together floor by floor — wall, top plate, joists, sheathing — from the frost walls to the ridge beam.
See inside →Projects
Commercial, residential, affordable housing and custom builds delivered with Titanwall MGO SIPs.
See the work →