Polystyrene foam stands out among the insulation options for the facade of your home because of its effective and lightweight thermal characteristics. This substance, sometimes referred to as expanded polystyrene or EPS, has a number of beneficial qualities. EPS insulation is lightweight and simple to handle during installation, first and foremost. This feature makes it easier and less expensive to hire labor to insulate various areas of your house.
Furthermore, polystyrene foam offers superior thermal insulation, which contributes to year-round comfortable interior temperatures. It improves overall energy efficiency by efficiently minimizing heat gain in the summer and reducing heat loss during the colder months. Over time, this may result in appreciable savings on heating and cooling costs.
The moisture resistance of EPS insulation is an additional advantage. Polystyrene foam does not absorb water, in contrast to certain other insulating materials. Because of this characteristic, it is especially well-suited for areas with high humidity levels as it inhibits the growth of mold and mildew inside walls, preserving a healthier indoor environment.
But there are disadvantages to polystyrene foam insulation, just like with any building material. Its tendency to catch fire is one major worry. Since EPS is combustible, it may pose a fire risk if barriers or coatings resistant to flames are not used to adequately protect it. This is an aspect that needs to be carefully considered and followed in accordance with local safety and building codes.
Additionally, even though EPS is typically strong and resistant to deterioration over time, it may physically break during handling or come into contact with certain chemicals. To guarantee the longevity and effectiveness of the insulation, proper installation and precautionary measures are essential.
- Characteristics and properties
- The main disadvantages
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Characteristics and properties
Polistyle foam has a heat-retaining capacity. This is caused by tiny air-filled balls that have been compressed. The material bears the same name because they create a solid air cushion that is comparable to foam.
The material has a density of 0.028 to 0.034 Watt meters per Kelvin. The weather conditions indicator is dependent. In 2014, researchers established that mold mushrooms cannot survive on this insulation.
Every kind has a unique one. For instance, the extruded material foams instead of fully passing through steam, ranging from 0.019 to 0.015 kg per m/h/Pascal. The second variety is obtained by cutting from the entire block on the slabs of the desired thickness, which is where the difference appears. As a result, air can pass through the balls’ disrupted structure.
The vapor barrier and moisture absorption operate on the same principle. A thinner polystyrene foam can absorb ten times more water—4%—than whole polystyrene foam, which only absorbs 0.4 percent. Extruded is regarded as strong because of its dense structure; it can weigh between 0.4 and 1 kg per square centimeter.
Polystyrene foam will endure for many years without losing its benefits because of the anti-Opens that it contains. Solid polystyrene foam is superior to foamed because of all the attributes mentioned. He became the most well-liked person on the market and nearly drove out his rival.
The main disadvantages
Now think about the issues that arise from using this insulation. It is easily affected by direct sunlight. Its density weakens and becomes unstable to weather conditions under their pressure.
- Many believe that the thicker the layer of insulation, the warmer at home. Cold air penetrating between the plates will cause violations: waves and cracks. European standard – 3.5 cm thick. With such calculations, heat is well preserved, and in case of fire, the risk of poisoning secreted harmful chemicals will be reduced.
- Another disadvantage is the complete absence of sound insulation. Insulation is completely unable to isolate the room. You can increase the number of layers, but the sufficient result is not to achieve everything exactly. For noise insulation, it is better to use another material.
- At the construction stage (more precisely, after the installation of polystyrene foam), he emits a harmful chemist of styrene.
- If it is heated to 75 degrees, then vapors are allocated: ethylbenzene, toluene, carbon monoxide and benzene, which will harm the human body. Manufacturers are often trying to refute this fact.
- Even the highest quality insulation sooner or later can light up. This is confirmed – the assignment of labeling G3 and G4 GOST 30244−94 of the Russian Federation. Therefore, do not believe when, advertising polystyrene, they call it refractory. Moreover, when melting, it turns out so thick smoke that hands are not visible. Summing up, calling the polystyrene foam "refractory", implies its resistance to the fire itself, but not burning. However, the insulation never goes with the finish coating of the walls, it is additionally closed with facing structures, which prevents polystyrene from wear.
| Pros of polystyrene foam insulation: | Excellent thermal insulation properties, lightweight and easy to handle during installation, affordable compared to some other insulation types, resistant to moisture when properly installed, can help reduce energy costs. |
| Cons of polystyrene foam insulation: | Potential environmental concerns due to its manufacturing process and disposal, susceptibility to damage from certain chemicals, may emit toxic fumes if exposed to fire, can be less effective if not properly installed with gaps or improper sealing. |
Polystyrene foam insulation is a popular choice for home facades because it has a number of advantages. Because of its superior thermal insulation, houses can stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Over time, this can result in significant energy savings, which will lower the cost of heating and cooling.
Another advantage of polystyrene foam is its low weight, which, in comparison to certain other insulation materials, makes it less costly and easier to transport and install. This can minimize disruption to homeowners by lowering overall construction costs and speeding up installation times.
Furthermore, polystyrene foam has a reputation for being moisture resistant, which helps shield the facade structure from problems like mold growth and water damage. This quality can ensure that the insulation continues to function well over time and increase the building envelope’s longevity and durability.
But there are things to think about when selecting insulation made of polystyrene foam. The flammability of polystyrene foam is one issue; if it catches fire, it can release harmful fumes. Therefore, when using this type of insulation, compliance with building codes and appropriate fire safety measures are essential.
The effect on the environment is another possible disadvantage. Polystyrene foam is not biodegradable because it is made of materials derived from petroleum. If not handled properly, both its production and disposal may contribute to pollution in the environment.
In summary, polystyrene foam insulation is a sensible option for improving the comfort and energy efficiency of homes because it has many advantages, including superior thermal performance, ease of installation, and resistance to moisture. When assessing it for facade insulation projects, it is imperative to take its flammability and environmental impact into account.
Examining the pros and cons of polystyrene foam insulation can provide homeowners with important information about whether or not it is a good choice for improving home facades. Although polystyrene foam is an excellent insulator due to its low weight and low cost, there are issues with fire safety and environmental impact. The objective of this article is to give readers a fair and impartial summary so they can decide for themselves whether or not to use polystyrene foam in their facade insulation projects.
