Insulation is a crucial component of any construction project, helping to maintain a comfortable internal temperature and reducing the cost of heating and cooling buildings. But with so many different options available, it can be tricky to decide which solution to use on a project.
So, to help you sort your PIR board from your mineral wool roll, we’ll be sharing a series of guides to the main insulation types – starting with a closer look at XPS.
There are a wide variety of insulating materials available on the market these days, each with their own benefits, drawbacks and performance capabilities. As with most things, the trick is in choosing the correct product for each application, based on the individual performance requirements.
What Is XPS Insulation?
XPS insulation – or extruded polystyrene – is made by extruding polystyrene granules into rigid, closed-cell insulation boards.
It’s important to note that this should not be confused with EPS, which stands for expanded polystyrene. Although EPS is made from the same base material, the different manufacturing process means it can’t offer the same performance characteristics as XPS solutions.
XPS Insulation – Properties and Applications
To put things very simply, XPS insulation board offers extremely high compressive strength, meaning it is typically specified in high load-bearing applications, such as green roofs, ballasted roofs, rooftop car parks, parking garages, basements and flooring installations.
The closed-cell structure of XPS makes it extremely resistant to water ingress., It boasts a water vapour diffusion resistance of 80-250, whereas EPS can only reach 30-70. Combined with its higher compressive strength, this makes XPS the go-to solution for below ground applications or spaces prone to humidity, such as floors, cellars and foundation walls.
However, its durability, strength and excellent thermal performance, make it well-suited to a variety of other applications too – including both external and internal walls and a wide range of load-bearing roof constructions.
Is XPS Insulation Sustainable?
With more and more clients examining their environmental performance, choosing products that boast excellent green credentials makes sound business sense. This is another area where XPS insulation takes the lead.
XPS is a highly sustainable choice given that it is 100% recyclable. What’s more, SOPREMA’s XPS products contain a high proportion of recycled materials, largely end-of-life EPS and cutting waste from other XPS boards. This makes them an ideal choice for projects operating with a circular economy or minimal waste approach.
Additionally, SOPREMA makes its XPS using CO2 as a blowing agent instead of HFCs or other harmful chemicals. This sustainable choice has helped SOPREMA’s SOPRA XPS boards earn a highly sought-after Environmental Product Declaration, which is available on the Irish Green Building Council’s website — where SOPREMA has been a Silver Member for many years.
SOPREMA’s has also published an international Environmental Product Declaration for its XPS products, offering clear and transparent info about the sustainable performance of these solutions. You can check it out here - https://www.environdec.com/library.
Key Takeaways
Overall, XPS is one of the most versatile insulation solutions you can choose – offering excellent thermal performance in a light and easily-handled board format., It offers high compressive strength and dimensional stability, and virtually no moisture or mould ingress.
To find out more about using SOPREMA’s XPS insulation, contact our team of expert technicians who can help you find the correct specification for any project.