The Use Of Foam And Extruded Polystyrene Foam, Which Is Best To Use And Where

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Characteristics and properties of foam
• Properties of expanded polystyrene
• How to properly insulate
• Some manufacturers of EPS
• What needs to be done to improve adhesion and interaction with the adhesive
• Installation of plates, other types of installation
• Material selection errors

With the onset of the winter period, the heating season begins. This is where the time comes to think about saving. And in order for real energy costs to be less, as a rule, it is necessary to make insulation of external or internal walls and slopes. And again the question is which material to choose, expanded polystyrene or polystyrene, which is better. Warming is carried out by both, it all depends on the type of premises and operational loads.

With warmer foam or polystyrene, at a glance how hard. For an accurate calculation, you can use the tables of thermal conductivity and other technical characteristics, such as density, thickness and flammability class.

Characteristics and properties of foam

1. Thermal conductivity is 17 times less than that of a brick, namely (0.033-0.037 W / m * K)

2. Density is 12-15 kg per cubic meter (grade 15), respectively, grade 30 has 25-35 kg per 1 cu.

3. The compressive strength of one slab ranges from 0.04 to 0.05 MPa.

4. Absorption of moisture in one day no more than 1%.

5. Temperature range of application, minus 50, plus 60 degrees Celsius.

6. The flammability class of polystyrene is often found G ₂ / G ₁ (moderately flammable, slightly flammable).

The use of such a lightweight and fairly inexpensive material does not constitute any special complex manipulations. Technical premises, agricultural buildings, warehouses and technical buildings are just suitable for such a material. Insulation of floor slabs in the attic or partitions in the country will not be too time consuming. The low price and ease of installation is the undoubted advantage of foam. Moreover, cutting sheets (500 / 600 * 1000 mm, 1000 * 1000 / 1200 mm, and other sizes), thickness 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 mm and more are easy to find on sale.

There are several drawbacks to such a material, toxicity during combustion and with improper installation, the formation of mold on the walls, or rather fungus. In Europe, walls are not insulated with foam thicker than 3-4 mm, since the material is thicker when it fires on the facade, it emits many toxic gases. It is better to use it under screeds for insulation of attic and other enclosed spaces.

Failure to comply with the rules in installation, installation of polystyrene from the inside of damp rooms can shift the "dew point" inward, while the formation of mold is inevitable, there is no ventilation between the insulation.

When choosing materials for insulation, pay special attention to the density and flammability class, because the foam produces toxic gases during combustion.

Properties of expanded polystyrene

Such a sheet insulation, like foam, has a uniform structure. For example, the Penoplex brand, depending on the density and class, is divided into several grades: 31 (31 C), 35 and 45.

1. Durability over 50 years.

2. Compressive strength 0.5 MPa. Up to 18,000 kg per 1 sq. m.

3. The density of the extruded material is high enough than the usual granular (foam) and is 30-200 kg per cubic meter.

4. Moisture absorption up to 0.4-0.5% per day.

5. One of the lowest indicators of thermal conductivity (0.027 W / mk)

6. Temperature mode of use -50 + 75 ° С.

7. Flammability classes G1, G2, G3, G4, NG (NG - not flammable).

The fields of application of this material are varied. Insulation of foundations and a blind area around the house, which will prevent soil swelling and freezing of the base. Soundproofing of partitions and ceilings. Insulation of house facades. Recently, they are often used for floor insulation before screed. Cutting sheets, for example, for the Penoplex brand, is 600 mm wide, and 1200 / 2400 mm long. Thickness 30, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm. It will not be difficult for a qualified team to insulate a house or apartment in a very short time. Thereby saving you a lot of money for many years to come.

If we compare foam and extruded polystyrene foam, it turns out that there seems to be no difference between them. Yes, the basis is the same, but the production technology and density characteristics are different. And the main difference between foam and extruded polystyrene foam is the area of application. Polystyrene can be used to insulate the basement of buildings. A 20-30 mm thick expanded polystyrene plate is enough to soundproof the partition, and the foam will need to be installed 50 mm thick.

The disadvantages of expanded polystyrene include destruction upon contact with complex hydrocarbons such as siding. It is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation when applied open. When heated at a temperature of 25 ºС, 1 m ^{3 of the} material will contain 104 micrograms of styrene, which is quite a lot.

And of course, facades with a high degree of exploitation require a denser material, when reinforcing foam and polystyrene, the second one showed the best results for mechanical stress, of course, the choice of materials depends entirely on the characteristics of the surfaces to be insulated and the types of buildings. For a cottage, it is the best option.

How to properly insulate

The selection of heaters in the markets is quite large. A wide variety of proposals from mineral wool, high density, to extruded polystyrene foam. What to choose? What insulation technology, brand of glue and mesh for reinforcement to buy? There are many questions, but the answer is one. What exactly is required to be insulated? Take the facade, for example. Installation of expanded polystyrene plates is best suited for this.

For mineral wool, the consumption of the mixture for the shelter will be 15% more than for expanded polystyrene. Since the first base layer is applied on a relatively uneven surface, it is impossible to trim the cotton wool with an electric plane, unlike expanded polystyrene boards. On extrusion polystyrene foam plates and we will turn our attention to you. Let's break down the whole process on the shelves.

Slab properties, specification

1. Compressive density at 10% linear deformation, not less than 0.25 MPa.
2. Static bending strength 0.4-0.7 MPa.
3. Water absorption per day 0.1% by volume.
4. Resistance to fire (flammability class) G 1, V 2, D 3, RP 1.
5. Thermal conductivity at +25 Celsius W (m ° C) - 0.028.
6. The ability to pass steam Mg \(m h Pa) 0.018.
7. Operating mode -50 + 75 ºС.

Some manufacturers of EPS

Manufacturers of Technonikol, URSA, Primaplex, Penoplex, IZOBOX, Polispen trade marks produce modified extrusion boards of fairly good quality. Application for heat and sound insulation of ceilings, roofs and basements are suitable slabs with greater strength of the SPB-C 35, 45 grade. The smaller grade 30 has proven itself well in the installation of a "warm floor".

The size from the manufacturers of such material in the markets is about the same, 600 mm by 1200 mm and longer. There are plates of other sizes for the TechnoNIKOL trademark, CARBON ECO SP 2360 * 580 * 100 mm. With or without perforation, with or without locks. The choice is great.

What needs to be done to improve adhesion and interaction with the adhesive

1. Sand the slabs with sandpaper over the entire surface, in general, apply scratches for improved adhesion of the glue.

2. Remove dust and mortar residues from wall surfaces and slopes.

3. Prime the surface with deep penetration primer for facade work.

4. Measure the walls with a plumb line, level uneven areas with plaster or glue.

5. Monitor the temperature for the entire installation period, a mode less than 8 degrees Celsius is not acceptable, and above 30 is not desirable.

Having stopped the choice on expanded polystyrene sheets with a thickness of 50 mm, it should be borne in mind that the overlap at the corners will be more than 50 mm, taking into account the thickness of the glue. Therefore, the marking should be done with allowance for the thickness of the adhesive and overlap. And it is better to choose the material with locks for ease of installation and structural strength.

Adhesive for expanded polystyrene boards should be chosen according to several main criteria. Elasticity after drying, presence of microfibers, operating temperature (frost resistance, heat-insulating characteristics) and high adhesion qualities to expanded polystyrene extrusion plates.

Council; Apply glue evenly over the entire surface of the board, and not in places in the form of small dimes.

Installation of plates, other types of installation

It is better to start mounting plates with locks on both sides of the corners, it facilitates the arrangement of the angle and measurements. You should also follow the "run-off" of the seams, the corners of the slabs of the first row should not coincide with the corners of the slabs of the next row. And so on to the very top of the wall or corner. And the installation of fungi or umbrellas (fastening dowels) must comply with the technology, namely 7 pcs. At corners 8-9.

When insulating plinths, the installation of plates can be done on bitumen, the melting temperature of expanded polystyrene allows you to do such work quickly, plus the bitumen will serve as waterproofing and glue, and will not allow moisture to penetrate through the base, the “dew point” will go out. In the thermal insulation of residential, attic rooms, 100 mm material is mounted, between two vapor barrier membranes. Instead of glue, you can use assembly foam, an example of how to do this.

Important: getting glue on the seams between the plates is unacceptable!

After installing the slabs, you can proceed to the next stage of work, reinforcing with mesh and applying a decorative layer of facade decoration. Design that will delight you for years to come.

Video on what to choose foam or expanded polystyrene