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The Benefits Of Closed Cell EPS Insulation

jacob@greenlightstudio.co (Mark Kearns) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:39:41 GMT

There's a reason EPS is overtaking other insulation options...

EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) is an extremely lightweight product that is made of expanded polystyrene beads. Originally discovered by Eduard Simon in 1839 in Germany by accident, EPS foam is more than 98% air.

When compared with commonly used insulating materials such as wood, cardboard, wool etc, polystyrene is the most cost-efficient as well as energy efficient and superior of them all.

Air is a bad conductor of heat, when compared with commonly used insulating materials such as wood, cardboard, wool, fiberglass, etc, EPS is the most cost-efficient and superior of them all. Air is a bad conductor of heat that makes EPS exceptionally good at blocking heat transfer. Its thermal resistance is way above all other insulators.

Small solid plastic particles of polystyrene are made from the monomer styrene. Polystyrene is normally a solid thermoplastic at room temperature that can be melted at a higher temperature and re-solidified for desired applications.

The expanded version of polystyrene is about forty times the volume of the original polystyrene granule.

Uses of Expanded Polystyrene:

Expanded Polystyrene foams are used for a variety of applications because of its excellent set of properties including good thermal insulation, good damping properties and being extremely light weight.

From being used as building materials to white foam packaging, expanded polystyrene has a wide range of end-use applications. In fact, many surfboards now use EPS as the foam core.

Building and Construction:

EPS is inert in nature and therefore does not result in any chemical reactions. Since it will not appeal to any pests, it can be used easily in the construction industry.

It is also a closed cell, so when used as a core material it will absorb little water and in return, not promote mold or rotting.

EPS is durable, strong as well as lightweight and can be used as insulated panel systems for facades, walls , roofs, under concrete and much more in building applications.

Packaging:

EPS has shock absorbing properties making it ideal for storing and transporting fragile items such as wines, chemicals, electronic equipment, and pharmaceutical products.

Its thermal insulation and moisture resistant properties are perfect for packaging cooked food as well as perishable items such as seafood, fruit, and vegetables.

Other Uses:

EPS can be used in the manufacture of sliders, model planes, and even surfboards because of its positive strength to weight ratio. The strength of EPS along with its shock absorbing properties makes it effective for use in children’s seats and cycling helmets.

It is also compression resistant, meaning that EPS is ideal for stacking packaging goods. EPS also has applications in horticulture in seedling trays to promote aeration of the soil and what is most always used on any aquatic application such as floating docks, pontoons and more because of it's incredible ability to wick away water opposed to absorbing it like XPS.

Why Is EPS So Advantageous?

High thermal insulation AND great R-Value.
INCREASES IN R-VALUE AS TEMPERATURES DROP! That is huge for insulating projects like pole barns or under steel siding.
Perfect for insulating most applications such as walls, ceilings, concrete, roofs, freezers and moist or wet areas
Compression resistant, GREAT FOR HIGH DENSITY APPLICATIONS!
EASILY RECYCLABLE!
Used on various commercial and residential applications.
Extremely lightweight.
Resistant to Moisture.
Extremely durable.
Versatile in strength.
Easily laminated with epoxy resins.
Manufactured into different shapes, sizes, and compression materials for such an array of applications.
Lightweight and very portable.
High shock absorbency characteristics.

EPS IS 100% Recyclable!

Polystyrene is an environment-friendly polymer. It is cent percent recyclable. It is usually recycled and melted to its 1/90th of its original volume. It is then converted to tight bricks.

Polystyrene can also be recycled using liquid hydrocarbons known as Limonene, which can be extracted from citrus fruits. Limonene literally dissolves the foam. These forms of EPS can be transported into factories for reusing. The easiest way to recycle polystyrene is by reusing it for other purposes.

With the highest recycling rates for any plastic and accounting for a non-substantial portion of municipal waste, expanded polystyrene is an environmentally friendly polymer. The EPS industry encourages recycling of packaging material and many large companies are successfully collecting and recycling the EPS.

EPS can be recycled in many different ways such as thermal densification and compression. It can be reused in non-foam applications, lightweight concrete, building products and remolded back into EPS foam.

FUTURE OF EPS IS HERE, DON'T WASTE TIME AND MONEY!

With the considerable number of applications, EPS is being used as a result of its excellent range of properties and extremely energy efficient and especially in colder climates.

The future of the EPS industry is bright and a top choice for insulating your walls, ceilings, crawl spaces, under concrete, roofing, behind siding, walk-in coolers and more.

EPS is cost-effective and the friendly polymer is also best for packaging. EPS is a dominant product with such an array of energy saving options that can't be beat! When going head to head against XPS, Closed Cell EPS will win each category every time.

IN FACT, EPS is long term nearly double the R-Value of XPS (AKA Blue & Pink Board) and wicks nearly 5 times the water away as XPS as well, making it dominate each and every time opposed to XPS.

Call Plywood King for options and let us help steer you in the correct path for longevity, energy efficiency, availability and numerous options all paired with the best discounted pricing in the Midwest!

EPS vs XPS Insulation... Which one wins?

jacob@greenlightstudio.co (Mark Kearns) — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 06:47:52 GMT

Closed Cell EPS insulation is superior opposed to XPS (blue or pink board) in every category from long term R-Value, water retention, foil for heat and light reflection, 1/2 the price and more.

EPS beats out XPS because it...

Doesn't contain any dyes
Is made from 100% recyclable foam, thus making this very Eco Friendly.
Is Laminated facing to prevent water penetration and or damage and foil facing on the back side for reflecting heat and light.
Does not lose R-Value over time like ALL other types of insulation board.
Is the ONLY insulation board that gains R-Value as the temperature gets colder!
No thermal drift over the entire life of the product.
Easy to cut & install, so molding it in various shapes and sizes to fit your needs is not a problem.
The best water wicking product on the market! That being said, you will not have to worry about moisture damaging your insulation unlike XPS.
Proudly made in the USA, like every other product we offer.

Call Plywood King to check inventory or for any technical questions at: 812-876-4341. CALLS ONLY between 8am - 5pm Monday-Friday and Saturday 8am-1pm.

Check out our sister company Allsteel Building Supply for the best deals on residential/commercial steel roofing and building packages. Allsteel Building Supply can be reached at 812-876 4341-METAL.

HOW TO INSULATE A POLE BARN OR HOME CORRECTLY... FOR LESS

jacob@greenlightstudio.co (Mark Kearns) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 12:28:16 GMT

Are you looking for the best way to insulate your pole barn, garage or even house?

With many years of experience of do's and don't do's, we want all of our customers to achieve the ultimate insulated structure and save money in the process. If you follow these simple rules of insulating correctly you will gain the max energy efficiently, all while saving lot's of money....

Always install a thermal break

Many builders will just throw house wrap on the walls and roof (waste of time and money) or they will just add reflective bubble wrap to the roof only.

WE HIGHLY SUGGEST the foil faced bubble wrap, foil faced fan fold or 1/2"-1" closed cell insulation board (1/2" is most come in when using 4'x8' sheets).

This will work as a wind break and help obtain the ultimate R-value. This will also help with condensation while helping preserve the life of a wood structure.

Above is a picture of a barn recently done correctly using 1/2" Polyiso as the thermal break during the construction of the barn.

Insulate the interior with a closed cell insulation board

After a solid thermal break is applied, your next step is insulating the interior with a closed cell insulation board.

This process is much easier than most think. Follow these crucial steps for the ultimate insulated structure that will last a lifetime, even on the coldest winter nights.

INTERIOR WALL INSULATING:

ALWAYS insulate with a closed cell rigid insulation board such as a Closed Cell Foil Faced EPS (Delivers the most R-Value on the market for the money) OR Closed Cell Polyiso (AKA Closed Cell Spray Foam In 4'x8' Sheets).

Give it space

When doing this, it's critical with any closed cell product to give yourself a 3/4"-1-1/2" dead airspace. Dead air space will give you a R-Value bump and allow the walls and lumber to get the adequate air flow they need.

When doing the walls of a pole barn, it's important to not cut the foam and install between the girts (girts are installed horizontally and attached to posts). Instead, you'll want to cut the closed cell foam board such as foil faced EPS board or Polyiso board and install this OVER the girts, allowing the dead air space between the insulation and the outside wall sheathing (such as steel panels or plywood).

This not only makes the job easier to insulate (less cutting, less materials and saving time and money) BUT gives you correct dead airspace, WHILE allowing room for electrical, gas lines and or water lines to be placed behind the insulating board.

If you have any cracks or gaps between the wall and or insulation board we recommend a touch up of spray foam along those areas or a construction adhesive tape to slow the air movement down from being exposed.

INSULATING THE CEILING:

Use a closed cell rigid insulation board such as a Closed Cell Foil Faced EPS (Delivers the most R-Value on the market for the money) OR Closed Cell Polyiso (AKA Closed Cell Spray Foam In 4'x8' Sheets).

When insulating the ceiling of a garage or pole barn, there are a few crucial things to remember:

60% of heat will rise,
30% of heat will shed through the walls,
10% of heat loss will go through the floor.

Always put insulation under the concrete if at all possible before concrete is poured, you will thank us later!

BEST WAY TO KEEP THE HEAT IN THE CEILING:

Insulate in between the truss OR under the truss with once again Closed Cell Foil Face EPS or Polyiso. This will eliminate heat transfer running up the gable ends and straight out of the ridge cap.

In return it will take much less materials this way - way more energy efficient and put lot's of money back into your pocket.

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Plywood King Inc has the best deals on all of the insulation noted above. Please call Plywood King to learn more at 812-876-4341.