Rigid-foam insulation packs a lot of R-value into a thin package, but not all rigid foam insulation performs equally. Choose you insulation materials wisely by educating yourself on the unique performance characteristics of each rigid foam insulation type. Review the insulation comparison table below, so you can weigh the benefits of using each type of rigid foam insulation side-by-side.
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For easy to share information on the benefits of using expanded polystyrene (EPS) as an alternative to extruded polystyrene (XPS), you can download our sell sheet below.
&#;The most versatile of the three rigid insulation options
&#;Used in Roof, Wall, Floor, Below Grade & Structural GeoFoam applications
&#;Used most widely in insulated concrete forms and structural insulated panels
&#;Highest average R-value per dollar (about 4.6 R per inch) &#; costs the least, while meeting or exceeding all required building and energy codes
&#;Approved for ground contact, below grade applications and can be treated to resist insects
&#;Does not retain water over the long term
&#;Should be used over house wrap, or with a product that incorporates a factory laminated option
&#;Available faced or unfaced
&#;Faced products are considered vapor retardant and specialty products are considered vapor barriers
&#;Warrant 100% of R-value over the long term since does not degrade over time
&#;Easily recognized by its blue, green, or pink color
&#;Falls in the middle of the three types of rigid-foam insulation in both cost and R-value
&#;Used most in walls or below grade applications
&#;Recyclable, and at about R-5 per inch, costs around 42¢ per sq. ft. for a 1-in.-thick 4×8 panel
&#;Comes unfaced or with a number of different plastic facings
&#;Unfaced 1-in.-thick has a perm rating around 1, making it semipermeable
&#;Thicker and faced is stronger and can have a lower perm rating
&#;Considered a vapor retarder, not a vapor barrier
&#;Absorbs more moisture than other insulation over the long term, and as a result its warranty doesn&#;t honor R-value retention over the long haul
&#;Most often used in roofing applications
&#;Average cost of 70¢ per sq. ft. for a 1-in.-thick panel (may vary based on region)
&#;Standard R-Value of R 5.8 per inch
&#;The manufacturing process starts with liquid foam
&#;Not recyclable
&#;Has to be sprayed against a substrate to form a rigid panel, so all ISO panels are faced
&#;Different facings affect the performance of the panel in both durability and perm rating
&#;Foil-faced panels are considered impermeable (because applying these products as sheathing creates an exterior vapor barrier, they never should be used with an interior vapor barrier)
&#;More permeable panels are faced with fiberglass and can be used without creating a vapor barrier
When it comes to building up a home&#;s insulation, rigid foam insulation is one of the preferred options to use. There are a variety of different traits of foam board insulation, from its accessibility to its effectiveness, that makes it a key construction component. With this said, there are a variety of different subsets of rigid foam insulation for homeowners, property owners, and construction companies alike to consider. Here is a comparison of all the different options on the table and the different pros and cons of each.
Table of Contents
First, let&#;s give a brief explanation of the purpose of rigid foam insulation. Generally, this serves as a continuous insulation layer, generally applied to the roof and exterior walls. This helps contribute to less lost energy through the framing members, which, in turn, leads to lower energy costs and a more comfortable area in general. In some cases, foam is also placed under basement slabs to lower heat loss via the concrete.
What separates rigid foam insulation from other types? It&#;s all in the name. Compared to, say, batt insulation or blown insulation, rigid foam is stronger and doesn&#;t shift out of place after installation. In addition, it is resistant to water and pests, which is why it is commonly used in crawlspaces and basements. It can also serve as an air barrier if the boards are properly sealed along the edges and joints. Another benefit of it is its versatility. This can easily be cut and glued to fit into areas that have unusual shapes.
An important term to bring up in this conversation is R-value or thermal resistance. R-value is a metric that determines an insulating material&#;s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the foam board insulation does at its job. This is generally based on the following factors:
Factors like aging, temperature, and the amount of moisture may also be calculated for certain insulation types.
With a basic explanation of the purpose of rigid foam insulation, we can talk about the various types. Each has its ideal applications, but professionals will need to often choose between one or another based on the project/customer needs.
Also known as EPS or beadboard, this is generally the best budget option for people who need rigid foam insulation. While it doesn&#;t have as much R-value as the other options here, you can expect a range of around 3.6 to 4.2 per inch. This makes it a good way to add R-Value in an attic, on top of a roof, or in wall cavities. But if there is a risk of water exposure, invest in a moisture-resistant coating or film.
Also known as XPS or blue board, this is the best fit for any applications below grade. Compared to XPS, it has better moisture resistance, even without coating or films. In addition, it has a higher R-value (roughly 5 per inch) and is denser and more durable. The only drawback is that it generally costs more.
Also known as ISO or polyiso, this is considered the eco-friendly option when it comes to rigid foam insulation. This contains roughly 9% recycled materials and has a higher R-value, at 6.5 per inch on average. For those concerned about safety and eco-friendliness, the flame retardant in polyiso is less toxic than the types used for other insulations. The drawback is that this is the most expensive of all the options covered here. In addition, it tends to absorb water, making it unsuitable for below-grade applications.
Also known as EPU, this is a specific type of rigid foam insulation that&#;s generally intended for insulated concrete forms. These serve as a replacement to the conventional wooden forms for fresh concrete. These are different from your conventional rigid foam insulation in that they are hollow form blocks, which get left in place as the concrete cures. This allows for insulation as long as the structure&#;s lifespan. This offers an average R-value of 5.9 per inch and is surprisingly durable.
For more class 1 insulation rubber foaminformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
This is quite different than all the other options mentioned to this point, largely because it&#;s not a petroleum-based foam product. Instead, mineral wool is a recycled item created with stone dust from blast furnaces. This gives it a few unique benefits. It&#;s completely non-toxic and won&#;t create any off-gas into your home as foam products do. This means that it won&#;t lose R-value over time and allows for better air quality. Other benefits of mineral wool are that it helps with soundproofing, is completely fireproof, and isn&#;t impacted by moisture. However, it isn&#;t an air barrier at all. In addition, it costs more than fiberglass.
At this point, we&#;ve covered the different facets of your rigid foam insulation options. In some cases, there&#;s an obvious case where only one type is appropriate for the job that you are doing. In other cases, though, the best choice is a bit more of a flexible decision. You can have two installations that meet the basic requirements, but your decision is more based on what it will cost you, what type of materials are available, or how long it will take to install.
In these cases, it&#;s important that you fully understand the data on your different insulation choices and what it takes for you to utilize them. The only way for you to gather the data you need for this is through
project management software such as eSub. Trying to figure out how long it will take? Track your employees, equipment, and manhours. Worried about financial costs? Look at your history of bids and actuals to make sure that your quotes still leave a profit for your business.
eSUB is a cloud-based project management platform built especially for subcontractors. It seamlessly integrates with leading construction software systems so you can easily switch from your current RFI process to a cloud-based system to upgrade RFI process.
eSUB organizes all of your project information in one place, allows for smooth collaboration, and streamlines communication through its intuitive interface. It also works on your mobile, so you can track projects on the go&#;no matter where or when&#;and stay up-to-date.
1. What is the purpose of rigid foam insulation in construction?
2. How does rigid foam insulation differ from other insulation types?
3. What is R-value, and why is it important in rigid foam insulation?
4. What are the different types of rigid foam insulation available?
5. Which type of rigid foam insulation is the most budget-friendly option?
6. What is the best rigid foam insulation type for below-grade applications?
7. Are there eco-friendly options among rigid foam insulation types?
8. What is unique about Expanded Polyurethane (EPU) rigid foam insulation?
9. What makes Mineral Wool insulation different from petroleum-based foam products?
10. How can project management software like eSUB assist in the decision-making process for rigid foam insulation installation?
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