When it comes to insulation, there’s nothing quite like expanded polystyrene insulation. It has a high R-value and holds that value for the lifetime of the product. This makes it a great choice for above and below-grade applications. Another benefit to this type of foam is its ease of cutting with a hot wire or utility knife. And because it’s so easy to cut, it can be used for both above and below-grade insulation.
EPS is a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam
EPS is a closed-cell extrudded polystyrene foam made from a plastic material. It is used as a barrier between water and a building. It has high strength and is lightweight. It is widely used in insulation and construction, as it is highly resistant to rot and warping. EPS is also recyclable, and there are more than 200 collection centers in the United States.
To manufacture EPS, small beads of polystyrene are sent into a mold and expanded using steam or pentane. The resulting foam is then trimmed to the desired size and shape and then removed from the machine. The beads may also contain additives to improve their fire behavior. EPS is available in white, black, or blue colors.
EPS is available in a variety of strengths and sizes, from extremely high to low. Its high compressive strength makes it an excellent choice for heavy-duty load-bearing applications, while low-density EPS is suitable for void-forming applications. EPS’s flexibility and strength characteristics make it an excellent material for packaging goods. It can be recycled to make solid polystyrene pellets for use in coat hangers, picture frames, and foodservice packaging.
The differences between EPS foam are in its properties. While expanded polystyrene is generally more flexible, it retains its structural integrity when exposed to extreme temperatures. EPS is also resistant to moisture, but EPS is a better choice in areas where higher insulation is required. This makes EPS a better choice for roof insulation. It is a lightweight closed-cell insulator.
EPS is a lightweight, closed-cell polystyrene foam. It is available in single sheets for small projects or in economical 4-packs for larger jobs. Custom-cut EPS is also available from Foam Factory, which offers a variety of custom-cut sizes. Polystyrene foam is a practical and versatile material. It can be used for a wide range of applications.
EPS is made of styrene, a hydrocarbon compound that is also found in nature in small amounts. This chemical compound is not toxic in small amounts, and it has even been used in food packaging. The FDA has deemed it safe for food-related applications and is a great insulator. A few questions still remain, but the polystyrene foam has been proven to be a good choice for insulating material.
It has a high R-value
When it comes to insulating your home or business, the R-value of expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an important factor. This type of insulation is known for its excellent thermal properties, but it can degrade over time due to moisture absorption. The Connor study provides updated comparative assessment data. Expanded polystyrene insulation has an excellent R-value and can significantly reduce the costs of insulated buildings and other structures.
The Connor study was conducted at the University of Alaska’s Transportation Center and added new data to the findings of two other similar studies. The researchers examined R-values of EPS insulation removed from various below-grade applications, including roads and airport runways. The duration of the studies ranged from one to 31 years. The combined data was analyzed to compare the R-value of EPS and XPS in such demanding applications.
To determine whether a product has a high R-value, you must understand how heat flows through it. It flows through space and air through three different channels – conduction, convection, and radiation. The way the product withstands each of these factors will determine its R-value. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation will be in reducing heat loss.
While EPS and XPS have comparable initial R-values, XPS has a higher R-value per inch. However, when the added blowing agents are removed, the XPS product loses its heat-resistant properties. In other words, a 5.0-R-value XPS product will lose its R-value in five to ten years. By contrast, EPS performs consistently over time.
EPS is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable way to insulate your home or business. EPS is made from 98% trapped air, and only 2% of the material is plastic. This makes it an extremely efficient product for a minimal amount of raw material. If you’re wondering if XPS is right for your home or business, check out the video below.
Extruded polystyrene insulation has fewer open cells than EPS. Because of its closed-cell composition, it is more dense and more effective at preventing heat loss. Extruded polystyrene is stronger and durable, and can increase your R-value by up to five per inch. It is usually sold as rigid insulation foam boards.
It is cost efficient
When compared to other types of insulation, expanded polystyrene is a highly cost-efficient option. It is lightweight, strong, and durable, and is perfect for a variety of building projects. Some common uses for EPS include slope stabilization, stadium seating, underground utilities, landscaping, and home insulation. It is also very easy to use and requires no special skills or tools to install.
The primary advantage of EPS insulation over other building materials is its cost-efficiency. For example, a single inch-thick panel of the material costs only $0.31 per square foot. This makes it more economical than other types of insulation, which cost more than double the material. For those who are concerned about their budget, EPS is an excellent option. It can reduce your energy bills by up to 30%.
EPS insulation is cost-efficient because it helps reduce heat flow. Its structural systems increase heat flow resistance and create a more tight construction. Studies conducted by the Northwest Territories Housing Corp. show that EPS provides better thermal insulation than polyurethane. EPS is also flexible, meaning that you can customize it to fit your needs. It is an excellent option for homes that require high-quality insulation.
EPS insulation is made from solid polystyrene. The process begins by molding foam beads in a mould. Heat or steam is applied to the foam beads, which expand and fuse together. EPS insulation is an excellent choice for cost-efficient home insulation. The material is resistant to mold, moisture, and fire, and it also has a high R-value. In addition to being cost-efficient, EPS insulation is easy to install.
In addition to being cost-efficient, EPS also has some additional benefits. The product is easy to install and requires only minimal training. Unlike some other types of insulation, EPS is also easy to install, and it requires only a brief period of training. After the training period, your team will be familiar with EPS. Additionally, EPS is unique in that it can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, geofoam is another type of insulation that can save you money.
It is environmentally friendly
The manufacturing process for expanded polystyrene is eco-friendly and uses minimal water. It is also a renewable resource, producing only 0.1% of the total amount of municipal solid waste. Its main ingredient is styrene, which is a known carcinogen. This material is made of 2% polystyrene cellular matrix and 98% air.
The EPS production process begins with the pre-expansion of EPS beads using steam to increase their volume by up to 40 to 50 times. The expanded beads are then injected into an aluminum mold where they are heated with steam until they fuse together. Afterwards, the EPS part is cooled using a vacuum and ejected from the mold. EPS is an environmentally friendly building material and is recyclable, resulting in minimal waste. The manufacturing process is also energy-efficient, with a conventional gas boiler providing the energy needed to process EPS.
This type of insulation is extremely effective in reducing energy bills and achieving energy efficiency. While it is not as effective in attic insulation, it provides good performance for below-grade applications. This material also has excellent fire resistance. Because of its durability and affordability, it is widely used in the construction industry. Its benefits make it an excellent choice for a variety of buildings. In North America and around the world, polystyrene is a popular choice for insulating below-grade areas.
As an environmentally friendly building material, expanded polystyrene insulation is an ideal choice for many construction projects. In addition to insulation, it can be used as a lightweight, durable material for pipes, vehicles and loose-fill packaging. This material can be molded into various shapes with an injection moulding process. It is also used to produce signs and packaging for a variety of products.
The EPS industry recycles polystyrene, which means that it doesn’t contribute to air pollution or marine animal deaths. The EPS industry has a 15% recycle rate, which is higher than most other plastics-family packaging materials. In fact, over 136 million pounds of EPS was recycled in the United States in 2018 alone. This material is more environmentally friendly than you might think!