It takes energy to save energy, and manufacturing insulation is arguably one of the more noble things we currently do with fossil fuels. I'm not 100% clear on your wall assembly but don't need to be, I think I can still help you choose -. Rated at R4 per inch; EPS foam insulation boards are more permeable to air and moisture than XPS, but it doesn't retain moisture to the same extent because of it's more closed cell structure and it's breathability which lets it dry out. The tires from cars and trucks are used by ISIS in Africa as an execution device. They both have a standard density of 2 lbs/sq.ft. Grenfell cladding does not seem to have an element on each floor to compartmentalize the fire. Even if the building had mineral wool it would've lit up like a dry Christmas tree, because the ACM panels were improperly designed with the improper core. As a versatile choice for commercial roofing applications, polyiso is designed to be part of any modified bitumen, built-up, or single-ply roofing system. The nature of fire! Polystyrene has a typical R-value of approximately 4.4 per 1″ thickness of material. I'm not the Mike Reynolds who invented the Ear…. If you look through the graphics in that article you posted, it shows the fire started on the fourth floor but didn't really start blazing badly until it was up several storeys. My project is a small scale dehydration lumber kiln, max operating temp 160 deg. Both core materials share several features which make them very effective insulating cores. XPS is a thermoplastic material which softens or turns to a liquid when heated. An error occurred. Rigid polyurethane foam has closed cell structure and has better insulation properties than many other insulation materials. I agree with some others that have commented, I believe spray foam is a very viable option. Hi Belinda, you have nothing at all to worry about. Who in their right mind would fail to see the dangers of wrapping a building in flammable poly-anything? At a glance, that is a very convincing looking page full of fancy graphs, but the info was total bunk. The product also is designed to perform well with mechanical fasteners, possibly under Green Roof membranes. I have also seen on TV that the substance used was PIR, though with so much information around it's a a job to remember where we heard what. Info@Dyplast.com www.dyplast.com 305-921-0100 Qwik-PIRvsXPS-0316 BACKGROUND Polyisocyanurate (PIR or polyiso) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) are each used in mechanical equipment applications such as chilled water, cooling water, refrigeration, and process applications operating at temperatures below … A common question we hear all the time is, “What’s the difference between Expanded Polystyrene Foam and Styrofoam Brand Foam?” Some times, people are looking for expanded polystyrene foam products, but mistakenly refer to them as Styrofoam Brand Foam, even though the materials are completely different. Something with a better adhesion and a bit of flex will help to ensure an air tight seal. In every recommended application, polyiso insulation delivers more R-value per inch of thickness than extruded polystyrene products. Service Temperature. Off-gassing of building materials becomes an issue with the cummulative effect through a home when thought is not put into air quality. Polyisocyanurate/ Polyurethane foam (PIR/PUR) Polyurethane (PUR and PU) is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. I think that’s a fine plan. Seems that many of the more fire-retardant plastics emit some really nasty stuff when they are forced to burn. Compressive Strength. It also provides better soundproofing, and being made with stone, it is fireproof. I will have hydronic heat embedded into the slab so I need good insulation value. Sponsored Links . you state that the board has foil on either side. Note: 1 perm and 60 ng are U.S. and Canadian equivalent rates of permeability, below that rate of permeability classifies a material as a type II vapour retarder, suitable for residential construction. As previously mentioned, either core will give you a  quality product. >Last I checked R value per dollar put polyisocyanurate and polystyrene >equal, the polyisocyanurate has foil both sides which has to account >for some radiant advantage. Dyplast recently issued a … If you've got a crawls space with damp, mold, odor & cold issues, here's how to insula…, Why are basements moldy? It sometimes gets as cold as -20 here and can be below 0 for weeks. EcoTouch PINK - Fiberglass Insulation for Insulating Walls and Attics from Owe…, EcoTouch PINK FIBERGLAS Thermal Batt Insulation from Owens Corning, iFLEXFOAM | Resistant and flexible underslab insulation panel, ThermaSill PH is an engineered solution for eliminating cold bridge or thermal …, ThermaSill PH Insulated Threshold Step by Legalett, Cellulose fibre insulation Climatizer Plus, Discover the highest performance lime formulated for Hemp concrete by Tradical, ROCKWOOL COMFORTBOARD 80 rigid mineral wool insulation board, Great that you are thinking this out carefully, but when it comes to the choice between XPS and EPS , yes there is a difference in permeability, but not as much as you may think. It may be a good use of a waste product (slag, glass, ceramic) but its production process is seriously energy-intensive. Saying it was a bad choice for all projects would be a gross overstatement. No, polyiso does not burn & is the best fire resistance out of the 3 types. Im looking to put a rigid board sandwiched between the corregatted metal floor of the van and the subfloor as it will need to handle a load. So, as you state, polyiso will be reduced by 25% to R-4.9/inch (still better than mineral wool, cellulose or fiberglass). The basic types of foam board insulation include: polystyrene, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. And then charged the public several million pounds for doing so? Hope that helps! Polyiso has a higher range of R-value per inch of thickness when compared to extruded polystyrene products. I was considering covering the XPS with plastic but did not want to cause a moisture issue. Rigid foam insulation uses one of three materials: high-quality, green-friendly polyisocyanurate; extruded polystyrene; or expanded polystyrene. It's pretty clear that the plastic cladding is burning with great enthusiasm, isn't it? That said, it is more of a problem when it is only a thin layer of foam. In contrast, the thermal conductivity of XPS decreases as the temperature drops, resulting in an R-value that is ultimately greater than R5.0 per inch. There is some evidence of panels shrinking, so to be safe I would go for a higher quality tape than the standard rolls of red tape you will find in building stores. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is the generic industry name for the white rigid material made by expanding polystyrene beads with steam and pressure to bond the beads together to form blocks or to shape molds. https://www.hunterpanels.com/docman-categories/technical-documents-wall-xci/baw-sheets/baw-2018-cg/1673-concrete-masonry-wall/file. Whether or not the manufacturers and contractors did this knowingly will be the sticking point of culpability and blame. foil is on EACH side Thanks, Yep, I meant to say EACH side! Also, rather regrettably for traditionally produced XPS, the hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) most commonly used as blowing agents are far more damaging to the climate than those used with other rigid foam insulation boards. See this page all about rigid insulation panels -, The difference between Polyiso, EPS & XPS Foam Insulation & Styrofoam. Example – Polyisocyanurate Foam Insulation. Polyiso insulation typically has an R-value ranging from R-5.6 to R-8 per inch, which is 45% more than mineral wool insulation. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) •Easily recognized by its blue, green, or pink color •Falls in the middle of the three types of rigid-foam insulation in both cost and R-value •Used most in walls or below grade applications •Recyclable, and at about R-5 per inch, costs around 42¢ … It is also something of a fool proof exterior board insulation when renovating, as it will not trap moisture from the interior inside the wall. Because we build walls so they can't dry. When laminated into a 1″ thick panel with standard 1/8″ substrates and aluminum skins, the polystyrene panel yields a total R-value of approximately 4.7 while the Polyisocyanurate panel will achieve an R-value of 6.4. Choose rigid insulation wisely, and consider the effect its characteristics will have on the performance of the your project, overall product cost, and the best way to get the bang for your buck. Temeprture ranges from -20c to + 40c but most travel will be in spring summer and fall. There are other great types of insulated sheathing (mineral wool, wood fiber and fiberglass to name three) and each will have their own benefits, drawbacks, carbon footprint and embodied energy through manufacturing, so even the greenest of the green will have some measurable impact. Aren't risk assessments supposed to be carried out? On top of that, the ACM cladding was created to emulate columns with large voids, and created a chimney effect. One thing I would point out, is that for the effort of going around the house with all the rigid boards, is that a 2 inch panel instead of 1 inch would boost your wall performance by somewhere are around 20%, but that's only if you can spare the space. Highlights the differences between polyiso and extruded polystyrene insulation products, including key material characteristics like fire resistance and thermal performance. It is a recycled product made with the stone dust from industrial blast furnaces. Polyiso was originally developed in the 1930s and was once used as insulation for beer barrels. As pressure builds, the beads are tightly fused together. There are three basic foam insulation board products on the market produced under several different manufacturer names. Before researching the differences I purchased The EPS and am now having second thoughts. Polyurethanes are produced by an exothermic chemical reaction between liquid polyol and polymeric isocyanate. Hey Mike Great article I learned a lot but still not sure which product to use. The PIR burnd slowly, but only while the outer plastic was alight; much of it was still there in the photos I've seen. When laminated into a 1″ thick panel with standard 1/8″ substrates and aluminum skins, the polystyrene panel yields a total R-value of approximately 4.7 while the Polyisocyanurate panel will achieve an R-value of 6.4. The primary difference between the 2 core materials is the insulating value (or R-Value). Thanks again. However, after doing some research  and reading on this site, I am now concerned with the off gassing that is occurring. The GWP of expanded polystyrene blowing agents is about 7 times worse than carbon, but that's a lot less than being 1430 times worse like standard XPS is. We needed extra storage for our furniture and belongings while embarking on a large house renovation. Hope I'm right but I have been wrong once before in my life. Expanded polystyrene is a type of foam made from polystyrene. Rigid foam performs well when subjected to moisture, and it does not change dimensions, split, or crack. ; it should be looked at in perspective really struggling to evaluate is insect damage adventure! Climates ca n't dry used by ISIS in Africa as an insulation it is fireproof super-insulated home the. Recommended using 2 1/2 inch ISO insulation on the market produced under several different manufacturer names and are suited... 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