If you are planning to use EPS or XPS floor insulation, here are some of the important things you should know. XPS offers superior thermal performance than EPS. It is also lightweight and durable. The following are the pros and cons of using XPS. Read on to find out more. Weighing in at around one pound per square foot, XPS can be easily installed under your floor and has a long life.
XPS floor insulation has better thermal performance than EPS
Despite the fact that the two types of polystyrene are similar in size, XPS exhibits better thermal resistance. During tests that compared the two types of insulation, XPS was subjected to below-grade conditions for five, twenty-one, and thirty-one years. The study found that XPS retained 94% of its specified R-value, while EPS lost almost half of its thermal resistance.
XPS floor insulation has a slightly higher thermal resistance than EPS, but EPS requires much more material for the same level of insulation. XPS can be installed in basements, but is not as dense as EPS. For basement walls that reach 9’4″ high, one large piece covering the entire height would provide better thermal performance. XPS is not available in such high-density areas, but EPS is ideal for those who are concerned about costs.
XPS and EPS are similar in the amount of water they can absorb. The main difference between the two is moisture. Both materials hold moisture. EPS, on the other hand, has a higher water absorption capacity. The XPS insulation had 15.7 percent water after 30 days, while EPS had dried up to nearly zero. A lower moisture content is beneficial to the building. The moisture-proofing properties of XPS floor insulation mean that it will last a lot longer than EPS.
Extruded polystyrene, or XPS, is a type of polystyrene that is extruded from compressed foam. XPS is a superior thermal performer. Its water resistance and firmness makes it the better choice for flooring. It is also 100 percent recyclable and can be salvaged after a building is demolished.
It is easy to install
XPS floor insulation is a great choice for any home, office, or retail location that needs additional thermal insulation. Unlike traditional insulation materials, XPS is extremely easy to install and is available in various lengths. Extruded polystyrene comes in varying sizes and is available in four to five feet in width. The sheets come in foil-facing and unfaced versions. Whether you choose one or the other is entirely up to you.
To install XPS, you will need to place the board on a sturdy, flat surface. A set of sawhorses will work well. If the work area is at waist height, place the board on top. Use a utility knife to cut the board along the edges. Once the board is cut to the desired length, you can snap the edges together. Then, use a straight edge and adhesive seam tape to seal the joints.
If you are installing XPS floor insulation for the first time, you must first remove the existing subfloor. After that, you will need to remove any existing floor tiles or rugs. You may also want to use a flexible tile adhesive. Make sure that you have a full bed of adhesive. Once you have a clean, dry surface, you can begin fitting the insulation. For high point loads, you will need to install a compound. The compound will protect the insulation from the weight and spread the weight over a large surface. The final step is to level the floors as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
XPS floor insulation is lightweight and easy to install. XPS floor insulation is easy to cut and can improve the performance of underfloor heating systems. XPS floor insulation can also be installed in conjunction with electric matting underfloor heating systems. The electric matting is then installed above the insulation. The XPS floor insulation also reduces heat loss through the structure of the floor. The panels are cut to a thickness of six to ten millimeters.
It is lightweight
Compared to other forms of floor insulation, XPS is lightweight and durable. Its core is made of XPS, which offers excellent thermal resistance, a low K value, and zero ozone-depleting potential. The XPS product is also known as non-wicking, and its closed cell structure resists moisture ingress. These features help make it a suitable choice for flooring. Furthermore, its low permeability makes it ideal for void filling.
XPS insulation is available in the form of a board or plank. The latter is typically used for floor applications. The closed cell structure provides extra support to the flooring, ensuring a long-lasting performance under normal foot traffic and loads. This material can also be easily recycled. XPS floor insulation is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install. This is another key benefit. XPS floor insulation is easily recyclable.
XPS floor insulation is made of an ultra-strong polyfoam material. It has an average lambda value of 0.033 W/mK and is easy to install. The lightweight polymer board is also moisture resistant and can be installed in wet concrete. Besides its lightweight nature, XPS floor insulation can also be easily cut and shaped to fit the room dimensions. This makes it ideal for floor applications.
XPS board is a high-performance thermal insulant. Unlike most other types of insulants, it is lightweight and durable. It can be used under slabs and is also suitable for internal and external walls. Besides floor insulation, it can be used for roof and panel infill as well. This type of insulation is also waterproof, and can withstand different levels of moisture. So it is ideal for buildings with different levels of moisture.
It is durable
Large corporations use XPS to insulate their floors. Available in several colors, such as green, blue, and pink, XPS was once used for fast-food packaging. In the 1970s, XPS used CFC gases, which were banned for human health, and then replaced them with HCFCs, which were also banned for their high ODPs. Today, XPS is typically manufactured with HFC gases with low ODPs. However, these gases have hundreds of times the global warming potential of CO2 and thereby negate much of the insulation’s GWP reductions.
XPS foam is durable and helps with moisture management. It resists absorption of water and freeze-thaw cycles, which compromise traditional insulation. Moreover, XPS foam helps in reducing energy loss in buildings. This lowers the amount of energy needed to maintain comfortable living environments. XPS foam’s widespread use can help the environment, as it can be recycled and used again. Further, the environmental benefits of XPS foam flooring are significant.
Another advantage of XPS floor insulation is its low cost. The price of EPS is more affordable than XPS per square inch, and its high compressive strength means it can be used below slabs or below grade. These properties make it ideal for under-slab and below-grade insulation. You can even install XPS flooring under slabs to add more insulation to your floor. A side-by-side comparison of EPS and XPS floor insulation revealed that EPS maintained 94% of its specified R-value after just one year, while XPS lost nearly half of its insulating ability.
XPS floor insulation is durable and easy to install. It is also moisture-resistant. The material is made of liquid polystyrene and additives. These products have excellent compressive strength, and are suitable for car parks, floors, and foundation walls. The materials are pressure-resistant and dimensionally stable and are incredibly durable. XPS floor insulation boards are often installed loose-lay and ALSAN liquid parking solutions are available to help ensure the durability of the insulating material.
It is tolerant of wet conditions
Unlike EPS, XPS floor insulation is tolerant of moisture, a factor that is especially important for below-grade and under-slab applications. Wet products typically offer less thermal resistance, so it is essential to find a floor insulation that is resistant to wet conditions. In a side-by-side comparison of EPS and XPS, EPS retained 94% of its specified R-value, while XPS lost nearly half of its insulating ability.
Soil insulation is prone to a number of challenging conditions, including exposure to water for extended periods, high soil humidity, and freeze-thaw action. Therefore, an ideal insulation material should be inert to soil action and not degrade its insulation properties. XPS floor insulation is extremely moisture-resistant, making it a great choice for below-grade applications. This property makes it ideal for floor slabs.
XPS floor insulation is also ideal for areas with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms and showers. Its high R-value makes it a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet-area applications. The insulating qualities of XPS also make it a perfect choice for conventional warm flat roofs and basements. Furthermore, it is compatible with underfloor heating systems, and can also be used as external wall insulation below damp-proof courses.
The most common and cost-effective energy-saving floor insulation for a variety of commercial applications is FOAMULAR(r) XPS. Unlike asphalt board, this material is highly durable and moisture-resistant. It also provides greater protection for below-grade waterproofing, and it can be stacked to create custom shapes on plaza decks. Foamular(r) XPS insulation is lightweight compared to asphalt board and is easy to install by one person.