The Ultimate Guide of XPS Foam Board

XPS (Extruded Polystyrene) foam board is a versatile building material with a wide range of applications, known for its insulation properties and durability. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a construction professional, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights into the features, uses, and benefits of XPS foam boards.

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1. What is XPS Foam Board?

XPS foam board is a rigid insulation board made from polystyrene resin through an extrusion process. It is known for its closed-cell structure, providing excellent thermal insulation. The manufacturing process results in a lightweight, moisture-resistant, and durable material suitable for various construction and insulation applications.

2. Key Features of XPS Foam Board

Understanding the key features of XPS foam board is crucial for its effective use. These features include high thermal resistance (R-value), resistance to moisture absorption, low weight, and dimensional stability. Additionally, XPS foam boards have high compressive strength, making them suitable for load-bearing applications.

3. Common Applications

XPS foam boards find applications in both residential and commercial construction. Common uses include insulation for walls, roofs, and floors, as well as in the creation of model scenery, signage, and craft projects. The material's versatility and ease of cutting make it a favorite among builders and DIY enthusiasts alike.

XPS Foam Boards

4. Installation Tips

Proper installation is crucial for maximizing the benefits of XPS foam board. Ensure a clean and dry surface before applying adhesive for secure attachment. Pay attention to joints and seams to maintain a continuous insulation barrier. Use compatible materials for sealing gaps and edges to enhance the overall insulation performance.

5. Advantages of XPS Foam Board

XPS foam boards offer several advantages, including high thermal efficiency, moisture resistance, and resistance to mold and mildew. Their lightweight nature facilitates easy handling and installation. The material's durability ensures long-term performance, making it a cost-effective choice for various construction projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can XPS foam boards be used for outdoor applications?

A: Yes, XPS foam boards are suitable for outdoor applications. They are resistant to moisture and provide effective insulation for exterior walls, roofs, and foundations.

XPS Foam Boards

Q: Can XPS foam boards be cut to specific sizes?

A: Yes, XPS foam boards can be easily cut to specific sizes using a utility knife or a saw. This flexibility makes them adaptable to various construction needs.

Q: Is XPS foam board environmentally friendly?

A: XPS foam board is not biodegradable but can be recycled. Check with local recycling facilities to ensure proper disposal and recycling of the material.

Armed with knowledge about the features, applications, and advantages of XPS foam boards, you can confidently integrate this versatile material into your construction projects, ensuring energy-efficient and durable results.

Kendall Cold Chain System XPS Foam Board or Extruded Polystyrene Foam Board is the end product of polystyrene resin, raw materials, polymers, and catalyst which are heated and mixed simultaneously. Then extrusion and molding of this mixture are cooled into a rigid foam plastic board. They exhibit remarkable features such as low water absorption, low thermal conductivity, high compressive resistance, and no aging these attributes make it extremely appealing in the market.

Looking for the perfect insulation material for your project? Using SOPRA XPS comes with many benefits. This product range performs excellently in terms of compressive strength, reliability, durability, climate-friendliness, and recyclability – among other characteristics. In what follows, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of XPS insulation in more detail.

Are you interested in learning more about XPS foam board production plant? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

1.    How Strong Is XPS?

Our insulation boards have excellent load-bearing capacities, making them the ideal choice for – among other applications – ballasted roofs, rooftop car parks, parking garages, floors of industrial buildings that have to bear the weight of heavy machines, and cold storage environments where both compressive strength and insulation performance are required. SOPRA XPS 500 and SOPRA XPS 700 perform well under high compression, with respective compressive strengths at 10% deformation of 500 and 700 kPa.

2.    The Thickness Of XPS

SOPRA XPS provides good thermal insulation even in boards with limited thickness. Our XPS boards with 300 kPa start from 30 millimetres; 500 kPa from 40 millimetres; and 700 kPa from 50 millimetres. The maximum thickness is 300 millimetres, depending on the panel. SOPRA XPS CW Artic and SOPRA XPS SL Artic go up to 200 millimetres in thickness.

3.    XPS Lambda Value / XPS Insulation Value

The closed-cell structure of XPS results in very low lambda values (ranging from 0.029 (for SOPRA XPS Artic) to 0.036 W/mK).

4.    A Durable Insulation Material

Soprema offers a forty-year SOPRACOVER Warranty on systems consisting of SOPRA XPS and DUOFLEX – a combination that is frequently used in inverted roofs, plazas and podiums. As this impressive warranty already makes clear: provided installation and maintenance instructions are followed, XPS boards have a very long lifespan and will not degrade over time.

5.    Is XPS Waterproof?

XPS insulation is highly resistant to water and moisture ingress due to its closed-cell structure, making it the go-to insulation material for foundation walls and other below-ground applications, as well as for inverted roofs.

6.    The Weight Of XPS Insulation

Because XPS boards are very light and easy to handle, they are easy to install. XPS is the ideal solution for blue roofs and green roofs which require insulation properties and a highly compressive insulant. It can be combined with DUOFLEX where the BBA states approval for blue and green roof applications.

7.    Sustainable Manufacturing

Thanks to its long lifespan, XPS is a more sustainable insulation option than insulation materials that need regular replacement and thus generate waste across the raw material, manufacturing and disposal cycle. But there are more ways in which our BREEAM A-rated SOPRA XPS products prove that plastics in construction can be sustainable.

While our Artic products are manufactured elsewhere, most SOPRA XPS boards are made in Tongeren with climate-friendly CO2 technology. In our Belgian XPS factory, we refrain from using chemicals like HFC and opt for CO2 as a blowing agent instead. Moreover, for raw materials we use the cutting waste of other XPS boards and new or end-of-life EPS, among other resources.

Of course, the fact that XPS insulation enhances the thermal performance of a building (thereby reducing its energy demand), also contributes to its sustainable character.

SOPRA XPS is approved by the Green Guide to Specification.

8.    Can You Recycle XPS?

After disassembly, XPS boards can be 100% recycled. It goes without saying that the extruded boards are a clever move towards a circular economy and a circular construction industry.

9.    A Wide Variety Of XPS Applications

XPS has an impressive application versatility. The insulation type is best suited for inverted roofs but has plenty of other applications as well – from floors to walls. For distributors, having one type of XPS panel at their disposal offers a wider scope as the product can serve multiple purposes. The boards also come with various edge profiles, from tongue and groove to rebate and straight.

10. Total Waterproofing And Insulation Solution

We have already mentioned that SOPRA XPS and DUOFLEX are often used together, but our extruded boards are compatible with the entire Soprema waterproofing range. Because we manufacture all system components, we can also ensure the product compatibility of XPS with, for instance, basement waterproofing or structural waterproofing systems. Partnering with a single manufacturer for both insulation and waterproofing also results in a single point of warranty and contact.

The Disadvantage Of XPS

Fire classification is a disadvantage of some insulation types. XPS insulation has a Euroclass E rating. Yet when XPS insulation boards are used in an inverted roof scenario, with a ballasted finish, the system can be classified as unrestricted in the UK, meaning that it can be used within any distance to other buildings. Similarly, while some cassette-packaged green roof systems will require independent BROOF(t4) testing, a fire test is not necessary to comply with UK guidelines in the case of:

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Gypsum powder factory. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• protected roof specifications, including an inorganic covering listed in the Annex of Commission Decision /553/EC;
• a roof garden covered with a drainage layer of gravel 100 mm thick and a soil layer 300 mm thick;
• irrigated roof gardens, green roofs, blue roofs, and brown and biodiverse roofs.

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