Almost no product is as versatile, sturdy or reusable as polystyrene.
Polystyrene can be used for many purposes, from thermal insulation to props for cold storage, theme parks and movie sets, floats for pontoons and docks, the list goes on.
Even when polystyrene is formed into sheets, its versatility remains quite extensive, especially in the construction industry. This is why many engineering designs we see use extruded boards as building insulation solutions.
Extruded boards are widely used in a variety of building applications and are a versatile and well-proven building material. Light weight, high strength, clean and easy to handle, can provide temperature and noise insulation, and can be used as a base for rendering panels.
Polystyrene boards are very suitable for commercial and residential applications, including warehouses, factories, storefronts, office buildings, houses and apartment buildings, sheds, terraces and garages.
Weather resistance with excellent thermal insulation performance and low hygroscopicity, extruded board is the perfect material for isolating cold rooms, ceilings, floor slabs, walls and void formers under roofs.
Thermal performance
Expanded polystyrene boards can be used in warehouses or concrete walls and masonry buildings, providing an efficient and economical solution for insulation. Usually used on the outside of walls, it can keep the interior at a temperature close to room temperature, thereby reducing the characteristic of surface non-insulation. The thermal mass advantages of concrete and masonry walls are also improved.
Hydrophobicity of polystyrene boards
It is recommended to provide an effective vapor barrier in situations where a large amount of moisture content accumulation may occur. Polystyrene foam is generally moisture resistant, however, like all insulation materials, moisture content will affect its thermal performance.
There is a linear relationship between thermal resistance (R value) loss and increase in volumetric water content. For every 1% increase in moisture content (20% mc more by volume), the R value loses about 2.5%. A plastic board with a volumetric water content of 2% will have 95% of the dry R value.
Impact of polystyrene boards on our environment
The manufacture of extruded boards does not produce ozone-depleting gases, nor does it use harmful substances. Each kilogram of oil used to manufacture polystyrene insulation board insulation material can save up to 200 kilograms of heating fuel during the average service life of a house. In turn, this plays a positive role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and the impact of global warming.
Polystyrene foam does not degrade into harmful substances or pollute groundwater. There are also no reports of any harmful health effects that may be due to the material of the insulation board.
Importantly, polystyrene boards are 100% recyclable. Therefore, any remaining scraps, or waste generated during demolition, can be broken down and reused for future use.
The advantages and uses of extruded board materials are wide and diverse, making it one of the most versatile building materials on the market.
English