XPS POLYFOAM FLOORBOARD

XPS (EXtruded PolyStyrene) foam called ‘polyfoam floorboard’ insulation is an extra grade, extrusion skin panel designed especially for floor applications. Either Ravatherm, Soprema or Polyfoam brand offer highly resistant products to compression that can withstand both occasional and long term static floor loads. In fact, all boards are 4 times tougher than a standard EPS70 insulation board. This specific type of insulation is formed with polystyrene polymer using an extrusion process. Super xps floorboard are very readily available from all insulation boards suppliers in the UK. It has a high R-value ranging from 0.9-2.8m2K/W, good moisture resistance and high structural strength. Just like EPS, XPS is made of 98% air and just 2% plastic. Board has no thermal drift or loss of R-Value over time. It remains waterproof over the decades. Water simply is not going to seep into the product. Pretty much all XPS floor insulation boards are quite lightweight, so are easy to handle and manipulate on site. Being lightweight, they have low embedded energy and their ozone depleting potential is zero. XPS product is also known as a non-wicking, meaning that there is no water vapour permeance through the damaged areas. Its excellent compressive strength means it can easily cope with different flooring loads in different grades. Its closed cell structure resists both moisture and water vapour ingress. Due to its compressive strength, XPS is regularly used in applications where it is going to be under some strain, such as car park decks. It’s also great for use in basements. They have a compressive strength of 30 tonnes per square metre, making them a lasting component for underfloor heating installation, below concrete slab, overlay roof or sarking roofs. However, XPS can attract ants and termites even though it is not an organic material. A closed-cell insulation material like XPS foam can resist freeze-thaw cycles, ensuring long term durability at a relatively low cost. XPS foam insulation is capable of withstanding over 1000 freeze/thaw cycles. XPS is most commonly used as floorboard insulation. For more information on how to cut XPS board click here. If you are looking to find out what are the differences between EPS and XPS click here.

STANDARD XPS INSULATION SLAB PRODUCTION PROCESS

XPS Insulation is manufactured through an extrusion process. XPS insulation begins as polystyrene crystals, which are combined with special additives and a gas blowing agent. The materials are fed into an extruding machine, where they are blended and melted into a thick liquid. The liquid is processed through a die, expanded into foam, shaped, cooled and finally, trimmed. A homogeneous closed cell matrix is produced through the entire cross section of the foam. This matrix of closed cells resists water penetration and that is important because water penetration can reduce R-value if absorbed into the insulation. XPS continues to have a higher R-value at lower mean temperatures even when exposed to water. XPS water potential to absorb is very unlikely to happen. Because it doesn’t absorb water it maintains its insulating power in the presence of water because water can’t get into. For more info click here.

XPS POLYSTYRENE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH ǀ COLOURS ǀ APPLICATION

XPS is offered in different grades and colours of material that affect its thermal performance. However, all of them are well suited for multiple commercial and residential applications. Here is why. It has the industry’s only lifetime limited warranty for the life of the building or home. Only XPS has achieved GREENGUARD certification with strict certification for occupants with sensitivities. XPS is available in multiple thicknesses with straight tongue and groove and scored squared edging. Panels are available in various thicknesses (30mm, 50mm, 80mm and 100mm), so you can tailor the efficiency to suit your requirements. 

XPS COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation offers one of the broadest range of compressive strengths. This means it can be used in a wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial applications such as flooring. The compressive strength of XPS insulation, which ranges from 300-900 kPa, allows designers to select an appropriate strength that may not be available with other types of insulation. The closed cell structure gives the foam great rigidity and makes it highly resistant to compression. The impressive load-bearing capabilities of XPS make these insulation boards particularly suitable for insulating all types of floor, parking garages and other structures that need high compressive performance. Due to its excellent compressive strength properties (300 - 900 kPa), XPS is also the ideal insulation material for car parks to deal with high loads. Generally speaking, XPS boards can be divided into 4 compressive strength categories:

300 kPa ǀ Flat and pitched roofs ǀ Floors 

Manufacturers: KINGSPAN STYROZONE N300R & H350R ǀ EFYOS XPS SL 300 ǀ DOW STYROFOAM FLOORMATE 300 SLA ǀ RAVATHERM XPS X 300 SL ǀ SOPREMA 300 ǀ KINGSPAN GREENGUARD GG300

500 kPa ǀ Retaining Walls ǀ Basement Floors ǀ Car Park Decks ǀ Commercial Floors ǀ Cold Storage Facilities ǀ Swimming Pools ǀ Heavy duty inverted roofs ǀ Load-bearing slabs 

Manufacturers: HYTHERM XPS ǀ XTRATHERM XPS 500 ǀ RAVATHERM XPS X 500 SL ǀ SOPREMA XPS 500 ǀ KINGSPAN GREENGUARD GG500 & 500R ǀ POLYFOAM FLOORBOARD SUPER ǀ CELLECTA HEXATHERM XPOOL

700 kPa ǀ Floors ǀ Walls ǀ Roofs ǀ Basements ǀ Swimming pools

Manufacturers:  XTRATHERM XPS 700 ǀ SOPREMA XPS 700 ǀ KINGSPAN GREENGUARD GG700  ǀ CELLECTA HEXATHERM XFOOR 700

900 kPa ǀ Heavy weight decks such as reinforced concrete with a ballast layer of gravel or concrete slab 

Manufacturers: DOW ETHAFOAM 900 

COLOURS

Brands of XPS are generally recognizable by the color of the insulation. XPS is typically supplied as blue, pink, green or yellow colored boards in 2’x 4’ or 4’x 8’ panels. Blue XPS is made by Styrofoam and Dow Company, green XPS called GreenGuard is made by Kingspan and yellow XPS is made by Soprema. While they are all the same, the colour helps distinguish manufacturing companies on job sites.

APPLICATION

XPS foam boards are the most popular when it comes to high quality insulation for roofing, below grade applications, commercial and recreational vehicle insulation and more. This is because it features a closed-cell construction. XPS might need a slightly increased thickness to reach the same intended U-value, but can offer a more robust and flexible solution as it can be positioned above or below the DPM and is resilient if exposed to moisture. It is available for a variety of applications including sheathing, foundation, under slab, re-siding, commercial roofing, under road plaza deck and commercial walls. It also is suitable for use under high load pavement, such as floors. XPS is usually avoided in areas where materials with less density are needed or where the material, which is not produced below a certain density, is not applicable.

FLAT ROOFS

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) closed cell insulation boards, suitable for many demanding and varied insulation applications including flat roof applications given the minimal moisture absorption.

FOUNDATIONS

XPS is frequently used in basements as well as foundation walls. In these environments, XPS provides proven performance. The product’s closed cell structure prevents moisture-absorption, making it the perfect choice for installation below-ground, where it keeps out mould and retains its excellent lambda values year after year.

FLOORS AND CAR PARKS

Floors, car parks and such environments require insulation boards that meet yet another important prerequisite. High compressive strength is key here. Depending on your needs, XPS 500 (max. 500 kPa) or XPS 700 (max. 700 kPa) offers sufficient load-bearing capacity. These products not only make for excellent thermal insulation. They are pressure-resistant and dimensionally stable, too. The insulation boards are often loose laid, because sufficient ballast would be added later on. You are guaranteed to get a perfect result using XPS.

Other applications:

 Below Grade Insulation
 Below/Between Slab Insulation
 Radiant Heat Floors
 Roof & Wall Insulation
 Plaza Deck
 Block-outs & Concrete Forming
 EIFs & Cavity Wall
 Landscape
 Structural Void Fill
 Siding Underlayment
 Pre-cast Wall Panels
 

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE

Thermal conductivity is defined as the amount of heat transferred through a square area of material of given thickness due to a difference in temperature. The lower the thermal conductivity of the material the greater the material’s ability to resist heat transfer, and hence the greater the insulation’s effectiveness. Typical thermal conductivity values for extruded polystyrene are between 0.025 and 0.040W/mK.

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Video credit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfmPkSdEhM&t=16s