When it comes to insulating your building, there are many options on the market. You can use polystyrene insulation boards for floors, walls and roofs to keep the interior of your building at a comfortable temperature and save energy costs.
Unlike other insulation materials, polystyrene does not absorb water or provide food for mold, and it has an R-Value of up to 5.0 per inch of thickness. It also is made with only one material, making it more sustainable than its competitors.
Versatility
Polystyrene insulation boards are flexible and come in a variety of sizes. They can be used to insulate floors, walls and pitched roofs. They can also be placed in ducts to prevent heat loss or gain. They offer excellent thermal resistance and are lightweight. Polystyrene insulation is ideal for new constructions because it can reduce the amount of energy needed to keep the building warm or cool.
The material has strong moisture resistance capabilities that make it ideal for use in below-grade insulation. It has a water vapor permeance of less than 2.5 to 5 w/m2k. This is lower than that of glasswool insulation, which makes it an efficient choice for damp-area insulation.
Polystyrene insulation is made from recycled plastic waste, which helps to reduce the impact of this material on landfills. It is also a good choice for sustainable buildings, as it is reusable and recyclable. It can be crushed and turned into reusable plastic pellets by companies like Renueva. These are then used to manufacture new insulation materials.
Low-cost
The choice of insulation materials for a building project has a significant impact on the energy efficiency of the structure. This is especially true of the types of insulation used in roofs and walls. Choosing the right insulation is crucial to meeting today’s stringent energy standards and saving money on heating and cooling costs.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is inexpensive, lightweight, and offers high thermal resistance. It also resists moisture penetration and can help to reduce mold and mildew growth. Some manufacturers even infuse EPS with fire retardant to make it safer to use in homes and commercial buildings.
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) is more expensive but also offers good thermal performance. XPS is closed-cell and can resist moisture, making it an ideal insulation material for damp or wet areas. It also provides strong resistance to rot and fungi, and can last for a long time.
Safety
The polystyrene insulation boards are non-toxic, odourless and chemically inert. They also don’t release fibres during installation, which helps lessen on-site health and safety issues. They’re also easy to install, which makes them ideal for new and existing homes and buildings.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene foam insulation board (XPS) are two of the most popular and trusted insulating materials for walls, floors, roofs and crawl spaces. They’re used in Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and Insulated Concrete Forms, as well as for exterior insulation and finish systems.
EPS and XPS are made with plastic beads that can be manipulated with heat and blowing agents to encapsulate air to create insulation. Unlike wood or other products that are fire-resistant, EPS and XPS can burn when exposed to open flames and intense heat. However, they melt and drip rather than burning completely. Some manufacturers infuse EPS and XPS with fire retardant, such as HBCD, which poses significant environmental and human health risks, during production and disposal.
Energy efficiency
Polystyrene insulation is a good choice for achieving building energy efficiency, particularly in new construction. It offers high R-value per inch, and its low weight makes it easy to install in walls.
It is also not considered a fire hazard and can be infused with fire retardants to make it even safer. It is not prone to moisture retention, and the EPS product maintains its R-value over time. XPS, however, will lose its R-value when exposed to water.
Using polystyrene insulation boards for building walls, floors, and roofs is an effective way to promote energy efficiency and save money on heating and cooling costs over the years. These boards can also be used to wrap around HVAC ducts to reduce heat loss. They are also inexpensive upfront and durable over the long-term. In addition, they comply with environmental standards.