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.
Which is better XPS or EPS insulation?
Compatibility – XPS vs EPS Insulation For contractors working with a building made of concrete, XPS tends to be the preferred form of rigid-foam insulation. However, EPS insulation has proven to perform just as well in such situations. Additionally, EPS is usually present in structured insulated panels.
What is the difference between expanded polystyrene and XPS?
When it comes to concrete and insulation, contractors tend to be most familiar with extruded polystyrene (XPS). Yet, expanded polystyrene (EPS) performs as well or better than XPS, and at a substantially lower cost.
What does XPS stand for?
Polyisocyanurate (PIR), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or Styrofoam?
Are XPS claims made by the XPS industry conflicting with EPS?
Claims made by the XPS (extruded polystyrene) industry are conflicting with that of EPS (expanded polystyrene) manufacturers. The validity of some claims is debatable. Specifiers, architects, and contractors must make well-informed decisions.
Is Styrofoam EPS or XPS?
As we said, Styrofoam™ is a Dow trade, blue in color, and is an extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam made for thermal insulation, construction and craft applications. EPS is an expanded polystyrene available in various densities for insulation, construction and craft applications and so much more.
Is XPS more expensive than EPS?
The thermal insulation performance of EPS and XPS in identical densities is quite close. However, EPS with the same level of density is less expensive.
Which is better expanded or extruded polystyrene?
If it's only handled a little, expanded polystyrene will largely do the trick. On the other hand, if this element needs to have a minimum resistance, then it will be better to opt for extruded polystyrene. As you can see, these materials may seem very similar, but they have very different qualities.
Is EPS waterproof?
EPS is resistant to water and moisture. This means that it does not absorb them and that its insulating performance is not compromised when in contact with these elements.
Which foam board insulation is best?
PolyisocyanuratePolyisocyanurate: Known as polyiso for short, polyisocyanurate foam has the highest R-value per inch (R-6.5 to R-6.8) of any rigid insulation.
Is EPS foam toxic?
EPS insulation has traditionally contained the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) which is highly toxic, persistent in the environment, and bioaccumulative.
Where would you use XPS insulation?
Manufacturers are now reporting the Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) of their XPS products to account for the reduction in r-value over time. XPS provides increased stiffness and rigidity, making it suitable for use on roofs, below grade, below slab, and other applications.
Does XPS foam 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.
Is XPS foam durable?
XPS foam board possess most of the key attributes of a “green” building material. It is energy-efficient, sustainable, has good thermal resistance and water absorption resistance, and is durable and long-lasting—up to 50 years.
What happens if EPS gets wet?
Foam board insulation products are generally considered water and mold resistant but expanded polystyrene foam boards (EPS) have air bubbles that can collect moisture and become wet. Moisture makes it hard to prevent mold from growing, making the foam board also prone to mildew growth.
Do I need a vapor barrier with EPS?
A: No, although EPS has a low water vapor transmission rate, EPS is not a vapor barrier. Rather it "breathes", and therefore does not require costly venting as do other insulation materials, which would otherwise trap moisture within walls and roof assemblies.
Is XPS heat resistant?
XPS foam insulation has a consistent long-term thermal resistance even in wet conditions and at low temperatures. It maintains its thermal and mechanical performance throughout the life of the building.
Is EPS insulation any good?
EPS is an extremely durable material Expanded polystyrene will last the lifetime of any building where it's installed. The thermal performance of EPS does not degrade over time, meaning the U-value you first achieve with EPS will not change.
Is EPS the same as Styrofoam?
The foam that you formerly knew as styrofoam is actually expanded polystyrene foam or EPS. This material is made from polystyrene, a plastic that's often used to make clear products like food packaging or lab equipment.
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.
How does XPS detect EPS?
EPS (expanded) and XPS (extruded) are both closed-cell rigid insulation made from the same base polystyrene resins and manufactured differently, EPS is beads that are molded or cut into various sizes and shapes while XPS is extruded sheets.
What is the difference between XPS and EPS?
EPS is better in terms of customization, allowing for all different shapes, sizes and thicknesses to be made. EPS has the potential to be made with a thickness upwards of 48″, allowing it to be used for crawl spaces, pre-cast concrete, wall furring, foundations, under a slab, sheathing, and many other applications. In contrast, XPS has a maximum thickness of 3″ to 4″. Furthermore, EPS can elevate to R-209 whereas XPS is capped at R-15. Add in the fact that lamination can be added to EPS and there is even more reason to choose this material.
Is expanded polystyrene better than XPS?
Expanded Polystyrene is superior to Extruded Polystyrene in the context of the environment as EPS has never and likely will never be made with HCFCs that compromise the environment. Furthermore, those looking to preserve our fragile planet favor EPS as it does not use any type of dye. Add in the fact that EPS can be constructed with recycled content and there is even more reason to favor EPS over XPS.
Is EPS insulation a closed cell?
When people search the web for “insulation companies near me”, they key in on those that provide materials that are elite in terms of moisture management. EPS has comparably rigid insulation that is closed cell with an elevated tolerance that ensures moisture is resisted. In fact, field studies show EPS absorbs less moisture than anticipated.
Does polystyrene have a higher R value?
Expanded Polystyrene insulation has a higher R-value retention as compared to Extruded Polystyrene. While Extruded Polystyrene is characterized by off gassing, the gasses eventually escape, meaning the initially high R-value gradually decreases. Insulation R-value is lost in unison with the gas escape. In short, EPS outperforms XPS in the context of R-value across the long term, ensuring the structure in question is climate controlled exactly as desired.
Is EPS or XPS better?
However, those who would like to do an objective comparison between the two often insist that EPS is the better option. To begin with, both materials share a similarity in the sense that they are both created with polystyrene resins, and the result is Geofoam. In addition, both are closed-cell and rigid forms of insulation. The difference comes in as XPS is an extruded sheet whereas EPS comprises numerous beads that have been molded or cut into specific shapes and sizes.
Is XPS a dye?
In contrast, XPS typically contains dyes along with branding elements. In terms of the use of recycled materials, XPS is comparably inconsistent. The specific XPS product and manufacturer determines the level of recycled material used.
Is EPS foam better than XPS?
EPS foam features a surface that allows for timely and thorough bonding. Alternatively, XPS bonding is much more challenging. Ask anyone who works in the Structural Insulated Panels and Exterior Insulated Finish System industries about these two materials and you will find the overwhelming majority favor EPS’s elite bonding capability. Furthermore, the packaging industry relies on EPS as its superior component bonding proves quite helpful.
What Is Polystyrene?
A common base material found in insulation, polystyrene is a versatile polymer used in making a range of plastic materials. Polystyrene is very moisture resistant in nature, and regardless of its manufacturing process, its moisture resistance stays the same.
XPS vs. EPS
EPS and XPS insulation both use a polystyrene base. The key difference is the process in which these insulation products are made.
When Does Moisture Matter?
So, when does moisture resistance really matter in terms of insulation?
Moisture Testing
With an industry-standard test lab test measuring water content change by volume, the results are generally less than 2% change for EPS insulation when immersed in water for 24-hours. However, it’s important to note the insulation dries back to less than 0.3% change 24 hours after the insulation is removed from water.
EPS Is the Right Insulation Choice for Your Next Project
EPS is a great insulation product that is comparable to XPS in real-world applications. For most purposes, including for walls, roofs and below-grade, EPS is an ideal insulation choice for a high R-value at a good price.
What is the difference between XPS and EPS insulation?
What’s the difference between XPS insulation and EPS insulation, other than a single letter? For installation on concrete foundations and under floor slabs, the rigid foam insulation you choose can make a difference of tens of thousands of dollars on a project. A careful evaluation of these materials’ performance attributes against the project’s needs can dramatically shrink labor and material costs. The savings could mean the difference between a profitable job and one you just have to chalk up to experience.
Which retains less moisture: EPS or XPS?
A number of studies show that EPS retains less moisture than XPS. A case in point is a side-by-side analysis of the two rigid foam types installed on a commercial building foundation in St. Paul, Minn.
Is EPS insulation better than XPS?
Using an unnecessarily high-strength insulation, you end up paying for something you don’t really need. Since EPS is lower cost per inch than XPS, and is available in a range of compressive strengths (from 10 to 60 psi), using it belowgrade and under slabs can save on insulation costs.
Does EPS foam have thermal drift?
In addition to higher moisture resistance, EPS also is not subject to thermal drift. This means that its R-value stays the same over time. By comparison, the manufacturing process for XPS uses blowing agents that diffuse from the foam’s cellular structure over the life of the product, thereby reducing its thermal performance. EPS manufacturers typically warrant 100% of the published R-value for 20 years or more, while common XPS warranties cover just 90% of the published R-value.
Is EPS better than XPS?
Yet, expanded polystyrene (EPS) performs as well or better than XPS, and at a substantially lower cost. Three important factors to consider when comparing these two insulations for any belowgrade or under-slab application are compressive strength, moisture retention, and insulating capability.
Is EPS insulation cost effective?
As insulation becomes increasingly common on foundations and under slabs, understanding the performance and cost factors of the different materials is important for successful bids and profitability. EPS offers a number of advantages over the more commonly installed XPS, including having the highest R-value per dollar among rigid insulations, making it a cost effective choice for many jobs.
