What is the R-value of XPS?
High-density XPS has an R-value of 5.2 per inch; low-density XPS has an R-value of 4.15 per inch. Styrofoam is a trademark name for XPS; the R-value of Styrofoam is 5.2 per inch since it is a high-density XPS.
What is the R-value of high density EPs?
Example: High-density EPS has a typical R-value of R-4.2 per inch. That means that 4-inch EPS has an insulation R-value of R-16.8. 8-inch thickness. Example: Phenolic rigid panel has a typical R-value of R-4.5 per inch. That means that an 8-inch phenolic rigid panel has an insulation R-value of R-38.
What is the R-value of EPS insulation?
To deliver the same in-service R-value, EPS needs to be 1.5 to 2 times thicker than XPS. The R-value of polystyrene insulation under roads and airfields in cold climates is critical to protect infrastructure from damage caused by frost heave and permafrost thaw.
What are the benefits of XPS insulation?
XPS insulation offers many benefits contributing to an eco-friendly, healthy, durable, and safe building envelope. XPS closed cell insulation, with an R-value of 4.6 and 5.0, gives it a high thermal resistance value, making it extremely energy efficient, by saving energy in buildings and reducing CO2 emissions.
What is the difference between EPS and XPS?
What is EPS insulation?
Is XPS a polystyrene?
Is XPS a good product?
Can EPS be made?
Does EPS depreciate over time?
Is EPS better than XPS?
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How much R-value does XPS lose?
An initially rated R-value 5.0 XPS product will eventually drop to closer to an R-value of 4.3. Since EPS is made up of only air and polystyrene, its R-value does not depreciate over time.
Is XPS a good insulator?
The boards have a closed cell structure and come in various compressive strengths, which makes them ideal for numerous applications. For example, XPS boards with a high compressive strength – such as XPS 500 and XPS 700 – are particularly suitable for insulating rooftop car parks and parking garages.
What is the R-value of rigid foam board?
Extruded polystyrene: Extruded polystyrene (XPS) rigid foam is usually blue or pink in color, with a smooth plastic surface. XPS panels typically aren't faced with other material. The R-value is about R-5.
What is the R-value of 2 XPS rigid insulation?
R-10.4XPS Thickness R-Value (Rigid Insulation Chart 3)ISO Thickness:R-Value:2 Inch XPS Foam BoardR-10.42.5 Inch XPS Foam BoardR-133 Inch XPS Foam BoardR-15.63.5 Inch XPS Foam BoardR-18.515 more rows
Does XPS insulation need a vapor barrier?
XPS is manufactured in both an unfaced form or with different plastic facings. However, XPS is considered a vapor retarder, not a vapor barrier....Privacy Overview.CookieDurationDescriptionYSCsessionYSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages.5 more rows•Sep 3, 2016
Does XPS insulation absorb water?
FOAMULAR® XPS products have an R-value of 5 per inch of thickness, and due to their closed cell structure they resist water absorption, maintaining a high R-value for reliable long term service.
What is the thinnest insulation with the highest R-value?
Thermablok® AerogelThermablok® Aerogel is a revolutionary advancement in thermal technology offering the thinnest insulation available to prevent thermal and cold bridging. Classed as a Super Insulation, Aerogel has the highest insulation value of any known material with the lowest thermal conductivity value of any solid (0.015W/mK).
What is the R-value of 1 inch thick Styrofoam?
R Value by MaterialMaterial TypeR ValueCost / sq. ft. per R valueClosed cell polystyrene spray foam (1 inch thick)6.5$0.25Expanded polystyrene foam board (1 inch thick)3.8-4.4$0.07Extruded polystyrene foam board (1 inch thick)5$0.10Polyisocyanurate foam board (1 inch thick)6.5$0.103 more rows•Apr 23, 2020
Which is better EPS or XPS?
In general, when comparing EPS and XPS board densities, the compressive strength of XPS is greater than that of EPS. For EPS to achieve the same compressive strength as XPS, the density of the foam would need to be increased, often resulting in a greater thickness of board being required.
What is the R-value of 3 inch foam board?
This product typically has an R value of 3.6 to 4.0 per inch of thickness.
What is the R-value of 1 inch spray foam?
Closed cell spray foam has an R-value of R-7 per inch. In comparison, open cell spray foam has an R-value of R-3.8 per inch.
How strong is XPS foam?
Products are available in a range of compressive strengths to meet different applications. XPS foam board can be manufactured up to 100 psi or more.
Is foam board a good insulator?
Foam board insulation provides good thermal resistance and reduce heat conduction through structural elements, such as wood and steel studs, according to the U.S. DOE.
What is XPS insulation used for?
XPS foam board is often used for above-grade insulation applications such as walls, ceilings, attics and roofs as well as for below-grade applications such as foundations and basements. When used above-grade, it can reduce thermal bridging and improve energy efficiency.
Which board is best for insulation?
Polyurethane (PUR) is one of the most efficient insulation materials on the market. PUR is available in the shape of insulation boards or foam. However, the boards have a better insulation value than the foam variant. Moreover, these boards guarantee a certain thickness in advance and nothing has to be taped over.
What is the best insulator?
Credit: Wikimedia. (PhysOrg.com) -- With its complete lack of atoms, a vacuum is often considered to be the best known insulator. For this reason, vacuums are regularly used to reduce heat transfer, such as in the lining of a thermos to keep beverages hot or cold.
Polyiso Insulation vs EPS Insulation - Rhoden Roofing
The two most common types of insulation for commercial roof systems are Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Both are available in a variety of thicknesses and can be used in multiple applications.
What is the thickness ratio of XPS compared to EPS?
As the most recent of three such studies, the Connor study confirms the higher thermal resistance of XPS compared to EPS, attributing it to the lower moisture absorption of XPS compared to EPS; furthermore, it recommends an EPS-to-XPS thickness ratio of 1.5 to 2.0.
Does EPS improve R value?
Newer EPS products did not translate to improved R-value performance evaluated after field extraction and years of exposure below grade.
Is resilience of XPS reaffirmed?
In summary, through scientific study and empirical evidence, the resilience of XPS has been reaffirmed.
Is R value per inch higher for XPS or EPS?
The new data points confirm previous results indicating higher R-value per inch for XPS compared to EPS. In fact, the new results indicate that the previous results underestimated the decrease in EPS thermal resistance over time.
Types of Foam Board Insulation & R Values
Foam board is commonly available in three variations, namely polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane. Let us have a brief look over their main characteristics, applications, and R-values.
Recommended R-value for Foam Board
If you’ve decided to insulate a building with foam board insulation, you’re probably curious about which rating to opt for. Here’s the thing: the recommended R-value for every area is different. The US is subcategorized into climate zones with each zone having its own R-value requirements for homeowners to follow.
Comparing Foam Board to Other Insulation Materials
Foam board insulation has its own pros and cons, but how well does it put up in competition with other popular insulation options such as fiberglass, rockwool, and spray foam?
Effect of Moisture on Foam Board R value
All products of foam board insulation come with special moisture-resisting abilities. For an insulation material, this can do wonders. Foam board insulation is almost completely impermeable. Due to this advantage, it is free from the need for a vapor barrier which is an additional cost.
Does compression affect R-value?
Compression can become a major issue during the installing process for insulation. In general, you’re not supposed to compress the material because doing so can negatively impact the R-value you’re trying to aim for. Foam board insulation cannot and should not be compressed. Hence, its R-value remains unaffected during the installation process.
Why Do R-values Differ in Foam Board Products?
You’re probably wondering how a single insulation material has different R-values. The answer to this question is quite simple. Since foam board comes in different variations with different compositions, each product has its own effectiveness in preventing heat energy loss. For instance, expanded polystyrene has a lower density and lighter mass.
Where to Use Foam Board Insulation
Deciding whether foam board insulation is right for you or not is an important decision. Foam board insulation is great at combatting moisture. Polyurethane, in particular, holds excellent moisture-resistant qualities that make it one of the best options for insulating areas where moisture would build up or pipe leaks might happen.
What is the R value of EPS insulation?
It has the lowest R-value rating at just R-4 per inch. However, its actual R-value of foam insulations varies, depending on the density of each sheet of insulation. The higher the density of the product, then the higher the R-value will be.
What is the difference between XPS and EPS?
But, that is where the similarities between EPS and XPS end and the differences begin. While they are both made of the same polystyrene resin material , the way these two types of insulation get made differs significantly. EPS uses steam and a blowing agent—a substance used to produce cellular structures via a foaming process—called Pentane to expand the resin beads and then remold them into blocks, to later cut into the necessary sizes.
How long does XPS insulation hold water?
Additional, researchers found that the XPS insulation held the water longer than its EPS counterpart. After 30 days of being left to dry, the XPS still had moisture levels of around 15.7 percent, whereas the EPS insulation had almost entirely dried, retaining just 0.7 percent of its original moisture content.
How much moisture is in EPS insulation?
The EPS insulation was found to have a 4.8 percent moisture content by volume compared to 18.9 percent found in the XPS portion. That equated to a massive four-fold difference in moisture content.
How to test XPS insulation?
Manufacturers of XPS rigid-foam insulation test their products by performing controlled, underwater tests. These tests occur by submerging the insulation material for short periods of time—usually somewhere between 2 and 24 hours at a time, depending on the type of XPS that is going through the testing process. When tested through this method, XPS is seen as the more resistant option, because it resists water absorption more than EPS. But, at the same time, while it takes in moisture at a slower rate, it also releases it more slowly. Meaning, any moisture that gets retained is present longer in XPS insulation.
What is XPS made of?
Image Credit – thoughtco.com. XPS, on the other hand, is made using a blowing agent known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have a very high Global Warming Potential. Not only that, but HCFC is fire retardant and burns very quickly, releasing dangerous gasses such as CO2.
Is EPS insulation cost effective?
Additionally, since EPS insulation has a lower cost per square inch and comes in multiple compressive strengths, it is a much more cost-effective option.
What is the difference between EPS and XPS?
The process to manufacture expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) means your final product is more consistent, more customizable and has a lower environmental impact when directly compared to extruded polystyrene insulation (XPS).
What is EPS insulation?
EPS is expanded polystyrene insulation manufactured using molds and integrated blowing agents that transform the material from a solid to a foam plastic.
Is XPS a polystyrene?
XPS is also a polystyrene product, but it is manufactured using an extrusion process.
Is XPS a good product?
XPS is a good product, but after a deeper comparison, EPS outperforms.
Can EPS be made?
EPS products can be made to order for any thickness or size, and, since the EPS manufacturing process uses molds and hot wire cutting, there are far more options available. Plus, customers can get an insulation product custom-made to their specific needs.
Does EPS depreciate over time?
Since EPS is made up of only air and polystyrene, its R-value does not depreciate over time. The R-value on day one, ten, twenty, even fifty years later is still the same, meaning EPS performs more consistently over the long term.
Is EPS better than XPS?
EPS is slightly better than XPS when it comes to global warming potential. But when looking at ozone depletion potential, EPS is significantly better than XPS and has a much lower impact on the ozone layer.
