WHITE POLYSTYRENE (EPS70)

White polystyrene (EPS 70) is a traditional, basic insulation material, very often chosen by investors. As one of the most popular thermal insulation materials, it is mainly used to insulate building facades. Thanks to the processing technology, manufacturers create products with various properties and applications. Boards are mainly used for insulation external walls, facades on high-rise buildings, ceiling, pitched roof, walls with a frame structure, cavity brick and block walls, prefabricated external sandwich panels (SIP’s) and insulation of floors and other applications where greater compressive strength of expanded polystyrene is needed. However, white sheet is manufactured to be the main component of external wall insulation systems and thin coat rendering. White render boards are available at reasonable prices that can effectively reduce heating costs and improve the appearance of the property. Moreover, white insulation block is durable and maintains its functional properties throughout the entire life of the building. EWI (External Wall Insulation) systems based on white polystyrene sheets are a proven solution that has been used in construction for over 50 years. In fact, it is one of the most popular thermal insulation materials used to insulate building facades using the ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) method. The term EPS70 relates to expanded polystyrene which has a compressive strength of 70 kPa. 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. It is also inert, non toxic, made to ensure fungi and bacteria cannot develop on EPS, however, it can attract termites and ants. Although White polystyrene 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. The product features a Thermal Conductivity of 0.042W/mK. This ranks it second compared to Grey (Graphite EPS) Expanded Polystyrene (0.031 W/mK). Boards come in easy to fit size 1000mm x 500mm, smaller than Jablite HP EPS 70 1200mm x 600mm sheets. EPS70 White Range includes the following readily available product thicknesses:
10mm ǀ 20mm ǀ 30mm ǀ 40mm ǀ 50mm ǀ 60mm ǀ 70mm ǀ 80mm ǀ 90mm ǀ 100mm

WHITE POLYSTYRENE INSTALLATION

The boards are very easy to install and do not require any specialist tools. During construction works, the outside temperature of the air, the substrate and the built-in material must not be less than + 5 °C and not more than + 25 °C. It is light and easy to handle. It is easily cut to size and requires no specialist trades to fit. Unlike Kingspan K5 phenolic board, it can be rasped to provide a flat finish across an elevation. The boards can be either adhered and mechanically fixed or applied within a TS Rail framework system fixed to the substrate. It is worth recalling that each polystyrene should be glued with the circumferential-point method. After applying the glue, it should be on at least 40% of the board surface. Dot and dab method should not be used anymore, but still many contractors stick polystyrene only to "dabs", insisting that they have been doing it for years and it is fine. White color reflects the sun better than grey, hence it is often not necessary to rasp the white EPS, saving several hours of work for an average installation. 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.

WHITE POLYSTYRENE APPLICATIONS

Boards can be used in conjunction with any render system supplied by providers across the UK. White EPS 70 is also suitable for use in ground supported or suspended concrete floor applications. It is the perfect choice as per U-value requirements for use under floor, between floors, walling and roofing applications. A large proportion of this product is also used in the insulating of cavity walls and roof insulation of commercial, industrial and domestic buildings.

Other applications

• Solid brick and block walls.
• Cavity brick and block walls.
• Balconies and loggias.
• Roofs and between rafters.
• Rims, lintels and reveals.
• Ceilings in garages and basements.
• Walls with a frame structure.

Related articles:

How to cut Styrofoam?

Best insulation boards

4 Alternative building insulation materials

How to insulate under concrete floor. The ultimate guide

External Wall Insulation Problems. The Ugly Truth?

Video credit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1juCG6adcI&t=234s