Description and specifications of XPS insulation

The construction market is saturated with various materials with high thermal insulation properties. It can be polystyrene, rock wool or polyurethane foam. If none of the listed options meets the specified requirements, you need to choose something else. XPS insulation is considered a new and more advanced material.

Insulation overview XPS

The abbreviation XPS hides the concept of extruded polystyrene foam, which has become widespread among the materials used to insulate any buildings. In essence, it is expanded polystyrene foam obtained as a result of extrusion, as a result of which a fine-mesh material with a closed structure is obtained.

For its manufacture, the same raw materials are used as for foam, but the technical characteristics are somewhat different.

Main characteristics and properties

Houses or apartments insulated with xps polystyrene allow you to reduce costs during the heating season and improve the thermal insulation of the room, preventing the appearance of dampness and mold on the walls.

Color

In technical documentation, the standard color for expanded polystyrene plates is white. But if it is necessary to choose a material with higher thermal conductivity properties for warming a house, preference should be given to silvery plates of insulation, which contains nanographite, which is responsible for improving the quality of the material.

Structure

Subject to the technical production process, the output should be a material with a dense and uniform structure. When buying polystyrene plates, you need to pay special attention to this parameter. The presence of grooves, voids, seals or other defects indicates a poor-quality product.

Ideally, the mesh size is 0.05-0.08 mm. It is difficult for a person without experience to notice this difference. In a low-quality product, the size of the cells is increased, it is 1-2 mm.

The fine-pored structure of the XPS insulation is responsible for the minimum water absorption.

Weight and density

It used to be thought that the quality of insulation depends on the density of the insulation. The higher it is, the more effective the protection. This opinion is mistakenly imposed by small manufacturers who save on various components in the manufacture of quality material. Large manufacturers are interested in creating a heater with a lower density, but with the preservation of its thermal insulation qualities. For this, blowing agents, flame retardants, stabilizers, dyes, etc. are used. in the required quantity. XPS expanded polystyrene, made on modern equipment and in compliance with all technical standards with a lower weight, provides better thermal conductivity.

One example is TechnoNIKOL CARBON insulation, which contains nanographite. With a declared density of 28 kg / m³, the material is capable of withstanding loads of up to 300 kPA (this is about 30 tons per 1 m²).

If the presented material has a marking of 35 kg / m³, this is an indicator of a poor-quality material with low thermal conductivity.

The form

An experienced specialist, looking at the shape of the plates, can immediately tell about the quality of the insulation. The best insulation of the room can be carried out with polystyrene foam plates, the edge sides of which have an L-shaped edging. This ensures a tighter fit of the insulation sheets when mounted on the wall. Boards that do not contain such edging will have to be additionally insulated with foam, which will increase the cost in time and money.

Thermal conductivity

This is the main characteristic of penoplex, because of which it is chosen. Visual inspection will not say anything about this parameter, so you need to contact the supplier of the goods and ask for certificates. When comparing the data, you can choose the optimal type of insulation.

The thermal conductivity index for a quality product should correspond to 0.030 W / m-K. But these data can increase or decrease, depending on the type of finishing material and its composition.

Water absorption

This is another important aspect to consider when choosing a product. To evaluate it, you need a small piece of expanded polystyrene. It must be placed in a glass of water and left for a day. As a result, you can estimate how much water the sample has absorbed and how much is left in the beaker.

Sometimes a syringe with liquid is used to assess water absorption. With the help of a needle, an injection is made with water and, based on the size of the spot, conclusions are drawn about the quality of the insulation.

Strength

High-quality insulation should have high strength characteristics with low weight. This is very important in the finishing process, since no one needs additional problems during transportation and fastening to the walls. Even long-term storage of the boards should not affect the shape and structure of the material.

Environmental friendliness and safety

High quality extruded polystyrene foam is absolutely harmless insulation for humans and the environment. One of the types of expanded polystyrene was awarded the “Leaf of Life” quality mark, which confirms the environmental friendliness of the product.

The use of insulation is regulated by SNiP 21-01-97, which deals with the fire safety of buildings and structures.

Lack of labeling is a reason to familiarize yourself with the certificate for released products. If it does not contain information about the environmental friendliness of the product, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Material advantages and disadvantages

Extruded polystyrene foam has several positive qualities that justify the demand:

• high strength characteristics;
• thermal conductivity;
• heat resistance;
• fire resistance subject to marking on the G-1 package;
• chemical resistance;
• mold and mildew resistance;
• the ability to use at temperatures from -75 to +75 degrees;
• preservation of shape and structure during freezing and thawing.

There are several disadvantages:

• the possibility of fire (with the exception of insulation marked G-1);
• poor resistance to UV rays;
• despite resistance to chemicals, some species can damage the material: acetone, petroleum toluene, ethyl acetate;
• high cost - this drawback is fully compensated for by the final result of finishing.

The price of XPS insulation forces some craftsmen to give preference to the cheaper material - foam.

Comparison of extruded polystyrene foam with foam:

When assessing the characteristics of two materials, expanded polystyrene is in the lead. However, the final choice is always with the buyer.

Common sizes

XPS Insulation Boards are available in several sizes:

• 30x585x1185,
• 20x585x1185,
• 50x585x1185,
• 100x585x1185,
• 1200x600x50 mm.

Depending on the area of ​​insulation, it is easy to calculate which boards to use. Any panel can be cut if necessary.

The calculation looks like this:

• Knowing the length and width of the facade, the area is calculated.
• Find out the area of ​​one slab. For example, 1 XPS insulation panel, size 30x585x1185, is 0.693325 m2.
• It remains to divide the given area of ​​the facade by the area of ​​1 slab, and multiply the resulting number by 1.05-1.1 (taking into account the stock). Round the resulting number to whole integers.

Thus, it will be possible to find out the amount of material required to decorate the building.

Scope of XPS insulation

Low indicators of fire resistance of expanded polystyrene exclude the possibility of its use for interior decoration. Except when the premises are equipped with forced supply and exhaust ventilation and air conditioning systems.

When building houses, it is used for insulation:

• roof structures,
• foundation and plinth,
• gender,
• facade.

For the facade, insulation can be used when plastering a building and when finishing for siding.

Expanded polystyrene is also used on an industrial scale for insulation:

• tunnels;
• parking lots;
• garages;
• airports;
• runways;
• highways located on heaving soils.

The wide field of application is explained by the durability of the material, which is estimated at 50-60 years.

Popular manufacturers

The construction market is an abundance of products manufactured by domestic and foreign manufacturers. Among the general flow, the largest can be distinguished.

XPS extruded polystyrene foam is considered an excellent thermal insulator, widely used in the domestic and industrial field. The only drawback of the insulation is the price, but it is compensated by the quality of the work performed.