Largely manufactured from recycled glass (e.g. windscreens) and mineral base materials such as sand and without the use of binding agents. The ingredients are melted into molten glass, which is cooled and crushed into a fine powder. The powdered glass is poured into molds and heated (below the melting point) in a "sintering" process that causes the particles to adhere to one another. Next, a small amount of finely ground carbon-black is added and the material is heated in a "cellulation" process. Here, the carbon reacts with oxygen, creating carbon dioxide, which creates the insulating bubbles in the (material). CO2 accounts for more than 99% of the gas in the cellular spaces.
Cellulose insulation is a material made from recycled newspaper. The paper is shredded and inorganic salts, such as boric acid, are added for resistance to fire, mould, insects and vermin. The insulation is installed either blown or damp-sprayed depending on application.
Wood fibre
The success of wood fibre insulation derives from an attractive environmental profile combined with a whole bag of functions including rigid insulation, sheathing and sarking for timber frames, roofs and flooring as well as flexible insulation for studs and rafters.
Wood of course is renewable, it sequesters carbon during its growth and product production is relatively free from pollution. The insulation value of wood fibre boards is not as dimensionally efficient as some of the orthodox petro-chemical materials - but it's no slouch either - typically coming in with a 'k value' range of between 0.038-0.043 W/mK depending on format.
Hemp
Hemp fibres are produced from hemp straw of the hemp plant. Most hemp is imported, but an increasing amount of home-grown crop is becoming available. Hemp grows up to a height of nearly 4 metres within a period of 100-120 days. Because the plants shade the soil, no chemical protection or toxic additives are required for hemp cultivation. The product is composed of, usually, 85% hemp fibre with the ballance made up of polyester binding and 3-5% soda added for fire proofing.
Straw
Straw is an agricultural by-product, the dry stalks of cereal plants, after the grain and chaff have been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of cereal crops such asbarley, oats, rice, rye and wheat.
EPS 70 Jablite is the most trendy large size EPS insulation made of 98% trapped air and only 2% plastic, making it an efficient insulator with a small amount of raw material. In fact, it is an ideal and widely available alternative to PIR Insulation products. The term EPS70 relates to expanded polystyrene which has a compressive strength of 70 kPa. Its compressive strength makes it suitable for use in all floor constructions. However, it can be used in a wide variety of other applications including walls, roofs and attic both domestic and industrial. It is compatible with all External Wall Systems and can be bonded or mechanically fixed to the wall. When it comes to the cost, Jablite EPS typically has the lowest price tag of the tree insulation types PIR, XPS and PUR. The material is versatile, light in weight, clean and easy to handle and provides cost-effective solutions to help contractors meet current UK Building Regulations. It is also the perfect choice as per U-value requirements for use under floor and between floors to provide a constant and lifelong insulation in any type of building. Jablite EPS is well known for its exceptionally high insulation qualities whilst remaining affordable at 20% less cost, Jablite EPS saves on both material and labour. It is also inert, non toxic, made to ensure fungi and bacteria cannot develop on EPS, however, it can attract termites and ants. Although Jablite has significant resistance to the passage of water vapour, it should not be regarded as a damp proof membrane or vapour-control layer and will not provide a barrier against damp penetration. Jablite EPS is unaffected by the normal range of climatic temperatures and can be safely used in cold stores and similar applications. During installation, and in service, contact with hot-water pipes or other surfaces where the temperature is likely to exceed 80 Celsius for continuous periods should be avoided. Where relevant, Jablite products are produced to the requirements of the BS EN 13163 'Thermal Insulation Products for Buildings – Factory Made Products of Expanded polystyrene (EPS) specification. The product features a Thermal Conductivity of 0.038W/mK.
JABLITE EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE PRODUCTION PROCESS
Jablite EPS begins as tiny beads of polystyrene, which look like grains of salt. The beads are sent into a mold and expanded many times their original size using steam and pentane until they completely fill the space. This produces a block of material, up to 7314mm long, which is then cut to size and/or shape. After cutting to size, the material may be faced or laminated with other materials to suit its application. Although typically white in color, Jablite EPS can feature additives such as colorings. More commonly, beads are molded into a large rectangular block and then cut into the final shape using hot wires. Jablite EPS is typically supplied as white and grey dotted boards in 4’x 8’ panels with coverage of 2.88m2.
JABLITE APPLICATION
Jablite EPS is a lightweight material suitable for a wide range of building insulation applications. It is an excellent insulating medium which exhibits consistent thermal performance over the range of temperatures normally encountered in buildings. Jablite sheets can be used in a variety of suspended floor applications, above damp-proof membranes, External Wall Systems and between joists on timber ground floors.
JABLITE GRADES
Other, higher density grades of Expanded Polystyrene are available:
EPS100 ǀ EPS150 ǀ EPS200 ǀ EPS250
Jablite Jabfloor floor insulation has excellent compressive strength, meaning it can easily cope with different flooring loads in different grades. Jablite 70 is used for standard domestic loads. Jablite 100 is used in offices and schools. Jablite 150 – 250 is used in heavy commercial, industrial settings.
Jablite EPS insulation boards are available in 4 thicknesses to suit your requirements:
25mm Expanded Polystyrene EPS70 Jablite Jabfloor Insulation Board is an economical, long lasting, thermally efficient, easy to cut and install universal EPS insulation board suitable for insulating floors, walls and roofs.
Expanded Polystyrene EPS 70 25mm is an excellent permanent insulating mate..
8ft by 4ft sheets (8' x 4')
Compressive Strength: <70kPa
Suitable above a concrete slab or a precast concrete
EPS70 is rot proof - unaffected by bacteria moulds or fungi
EPS70 is Moisture resistant - non irritant and odourless non-toxic
50mm Expanded Polystyrene EPS70 Jablite Jabfloor Insulation Board is an economical, long lasting, thermally efficient, easy to cut and install universal EPS insulation board suitable for insulating floors, walls and roofs.
Expanded Polystyrene EPS 70 50mm is an excellent permanent insulating mate..
8ft by 4ft sheets (8' x 4')
Compressive Strength: <70kPa
Suitable above a concrete slab or a precast concrete
EPS70 is rot proof - unaffected by bacteria moulds or fungi
EPS70 is Moisture resistant - non irritant and odourless non-toxic
75mm Expanded Polystyrene EPS70 Jablite Jabfloor Insulation Board is an economical, long lasting, thermally efficient, easy to cut and install universal EPS insulation board suitable for insulating floors, walls and roofs.
Expanded Polystyrene EPS 70 75mm is an excellent permanent insulating mate..
8ft by 4ft sheets (8' x 4')
Compressive Strength: <70kPa
Suitable above a concrete slab or a precast concrete
EPS70 is rot proof - unaffected by bacteria moulds or fungi
EPS70 is Moisture resistant - non irritant and odourless non-toxic
100mm Expanded Polystyrene EPS70 Jablite Jabfloor Insulation Board is an economical, long lasting, thermally efficient, easy to cut and install universal EPS insulation board suitable for insulating floors, walls and roofs.
Expanded Polystyrene EPS 70 100mm is an excellent permanent insulating ma..
8ft by 4ft sheets (8' x 4')
Compressive Strength: <70kPa
Suitable above a concrete slab or a precast concrete
EPS70 is rot proof - unaffected by bacteria moulds or fungi
EPS70 is Moisture resistant - non irritant and odourless non-toxic