The Earthmother brand is known for making premium quality XPS floor insulation panels. In fact, the company has purchased three lines of XPS floor insulation panels in consecutive years, from 2017 to 2020. This premium brand is very popular in the US, where it is commonly used to insulate garage floors.
EPS
XPS floor insulation is made from a material called EPS, which is also called polystyrene foam. It is a good choice for floor insulation, as it is very affordable. It is available in a variety of compressive strengths, which make it ideal for use below grade or under a slab.
EPS has a lower compressive strength than XPS, but it does protect against clay heave, which can lead to foundation cracking and subsidence. The material is able to act like suspension on a car, stretching and contracting as the soil pushes against it. It is also water-resistant, with a closed cell structure.
EPS and XPS floor insulation are compatible with each other and offer great flexibility, compatibility, and thermal efficiency. However, their uses vary, so it is important to choose the right type for your project. The best way to choose the right type is to consult a professional, who can help you choose the right material.
EPS is more environmentally friendly than XPS. EPS can be constructed using recycled materials. Unlike XPS, EPS beads are prone to water absorption, which decreases its R-Value. This problem is compounded by the fact that water conducts heat.
EPS floor insulation is more affordable and aesthetically pleasing. It is also more durable than XPS floor insulation. It can also be used in commercial applications. Because XPS has great insulating qualities, it is often an excellent choice for many applications. You can even add a layer of it to an existing floor, to add more protection.
While XPS floor insulation is a popular option, EPS floor insulation is the least expensive. It’s also more efficient. Since EPS insulation is made from trapped air, it can help save energy. The trapped air slows down the movement of warm air from a room to a cold room. Moreover, it can slow the transfer of heat, thanks to its graphite particles. As a result, EPS floor insulation is more efficient than XPS or GPS floor insulation.
XPS and EPS are both made of polystyrene. Both are made from the same base resin, but XPS is a more durable product.
GPS
If you’re interested in using floor insulation in your home, you might want to consider GPS XPS. This type of insulation is made of graphite particles that are injected into the cell structure. Compared to conventional EPS, GPS offers a higher R-value per inch. This is due to its ability to let vapor and moisture pass through. Its permeable properties make it the ideal choice for high-moisture environments.
Compared to XPS, GPS provides a more reliable and longer-lasting thermal barrier for floors and walls. GPS is also more environmentally friendly, as it does not require deforestation or quarrying for raw materials. It is also 100% recyclable. It also requires fewer resources and thinner panels than XPS, resulting in a lower cost.
While GPS has a higher price than standard EPS, its higher R-value makes it a good choice for cold-climate residential construction. Its lightweight design makes it easy to ship and install. It also reduces installation time, eliminating the need to layer individual sheets of EPS. Furthermore, it is highly effective in lowering energy costs.
Graphite polystyrene (GPS) is produced using Neopor beads. These beads are a patented material manufactured by BASF. This material has a dark gray appearance, higher R-value than traditional EPS, and it can be shaped into different shapes. It is a relatively new form of insulation in the US, but it has become one of the most popular types in Europe.
Aside from having a higher R-value, GPS also has better moisture-expelling capabilities. The insulating qualities of GPS remain high even when it’s wet, whereas XPS loses r-value when the blowing agent leaks out of it. In addition, it can adapt to a variety of sizes and shapes, which makes it an excellent choice for a floor.
XPS
XPS floor insulation is a common choice for floor insulation in the construction of new homes. In addition to its high thermal resistance, XPS is moisture resistant. Compared to EPS, XPS has a higher perm rating of about 1.0, making it a Class II semi-permeable vapor retarder. However, moisture retention can reduce its overall R-value and reduce its effectiveness as an insulating material.
The closed cell structure of XPS provides superior strength. As a result, XPS floor insulation can support most types of flooring. In addition, it can withstand foot traffic and typical loads. Because of its high thermal resistance, XPS floor insulation maintains its dimensional stability even after several years.
XPS floor insulation is easy to install and can be easily cut to size. It also improves the efficiency of underfloor heating systems. It is ideal for use in conjunction with electric matting underfloor heating systems. In such a system, XPS floor insulation acts as an underfloor heating barrier by preventing heat from escaping through the floor structure. It is typically supplied in 6mm to 10mm thick sheets.
Once the board is placed, it should be secured with a 25.4-mm (1 in.) head plastic cap nail or a 16-gauge wire staple. To avoid damaging the insulation board, make sure that nails are not over-driven. The boards should be tightly butted together so that no gaps form between them.
Another benefit of XPS floor insulation is that it can be recycled. The density of EPS is higher than other types of insulation, making it ideal for underfloor insulation. The polystyrene cellular matrix makes it highly resistant to impact. It also has a high compressive strength, which is a good choice for wall insulation in residential buildings.
Compared to PIR, XPS has higher thermal conductivity. Because of this, it requires slightly thicker insulation. This also makes it a good choice for the ground floor.
Ravatherm XPS X
Ravatherm XPS X is an environmentally friendly, durable, and cost-effective floor insulation. It has a BREEAM Green Guide Rating of A and uses carbon dioxide as the primary blowing agent. It also has zero Ozone Depletion Potential and a low Global Warming Potential. It is also highly durable, has a high strength and dimensional stability, and can be easily cut with hand tools.
Ravatherm XPS X is available in a wide range of thicknesses and compressive strengths. It is also resistant to moisture, and is blown with CO2 to achieve a low global warming potential. Ravago Building Solutions manufactures the range in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, UK. The company has more than 7,000 employees and 49,000 customers worldwide.
Ravatherm is made from extruded polystyrene, a thermoplastic polymer first developed by Dow Chemical Company back in the 1940s. The extrusion process creates small, uniform cells, which give Ravatherm unparalleled properties. They are resistant to heat and cold, and have low water absorption.
Ravatherm XPS X insulation is ideal for below-grade flooring applications. Its 200 SB high-performance multi-purpose XPS board is specifically designed to provide thermal insulation for basement perimeter walls and domestic floors. Its moisture and vapour-resistance means it retains its initial insulation performance, even after exposure to outdoor conditions.
Ravatherm XPS X is an extruded polystyrene floor insulation that delivers superior thermal performance. It can be used for groundbearing or suspended floors. It is suitable for both wet and dry environments and has a high compressive strength and high impact resistance.