EPS, XPS & Polyiso insulation | everything you need to know
EPS, XPS, and Polyiso insulation: we’re going to look into how they are made and compare their physical and chemical properties.
Chapters
0:00 EPS Expanded Polystyrene
2:25 EPS Advantages
3:39 EPS Disadvantages
4:20 XPS Extruded Polystyrene
5:30 XPS Advantages
6:16 XPS Disadvantages
6:52 Polyisocyanurate
7:52 Polyiso Advantages
8:40 Polyiso Disadvantages
EPS The monomer styrene is composed of a benzene ring (C6H6) and ethylene. They are both made by the petrochemical industry. Under heat or by an initiator like benzoyl peroxide, the double bond between the carbon atoms is converted into a single bond and a polymer chain called polystyrene is formed. This liquid polystyrene is dropped in water to form droplets or beads. Highest R value per dollar, closed cell foam makes it an excellent insulator, no thermal drift or loss or R value over time, no off gassing on site, no chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs or even hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs in the blowing process, 100% recyclable. Disadvantages are bromine fire retardant, can attract ants and termites, flammable, not bio-degradable.
XPS is Styrofoam. Chemically, it’s made of the same as EPS, it’s a hydrocarbon chain of styrene, but rather than being formed into droplets and then expanded, it is foamed up. Advantages: Inexpensive, closed cell foam makes it an excellent insulator, no thermal drift or loss or R value over time, moisture & mildew resistant, greater ocmpressive strength, 100% recyclable. Disadvantages: Uses HFCs as a blowing agent, bromine fire retardent, can attract ants and termites, not biodegradable.
Polyisocyanurato/polyiso is made by combining 3 main components, MDI or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, polyol and a blowing agent. When these components are mixed, along with small amounts of catalysts, an exothermic chemical reaction causes the liquid blowing agent to boil. This expands the foam, creating tightly packed gas-filled cells. This foam has to be sprayed against a substrate to form a rigid panel, so all ISO panels are faced with either foil or paper. Advantages. Highest R value per inch, stable over a large temperature range, low water absorption, not affected by chemicals, pentane blowing agent. Disadvantages. Most expensive of the 3, uses halogen fire retardant, doesn't work well in cold climates, least ecofriendly & worst thermal drift.
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#eps #insulation #polyiso #chemicals #foamboard #styrofoam
Hello Belinda, I've been in the EPS industry for over 35 years and this is one of the top three best explanations of polymeric foams I've seen on youtube. I haven't seen an open-top block fill EPS block mold as you've shown in your video since the late seventies / early eighties. Great Job!
Were those particular foam blocks for surf board blanks?
Hello, please I need reference websites that talks about EPS. My project is on EPS and google keeps giving me searches on styrofoams or XPS as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and it's so frustrating
Wow this is the best video I’ve ever seen comparing and describing EPS and XPS...could never fully understand the property differences and manufacturing processes..until now. Thank you!
She got the basics correct, but made several key mistakes that may mislead people.
@@videopipeline6419 could you please elaborate? Would help us viewers.. thank you! Edit: I saw you posted several other comments. If those are what you were referring to, then thank you and you can dismiss my comment!
@@Coolarj10 Yep, those are the key mistakes (feel free to "Like" them if they are helpful). The main source of the misleading info (reiterated by people who have a *little bit* of knowledge like the creator of this video) about polyiso having drastically reduced R-value is Owens Corning, which AFAIK doesn't manufacture any form of Polyiso foam. Also, not all materials cost the same in all parts of the US, because (especially with bulky materials like foam sheathing); it's highly dependent upon the location of the manufacturing plants, which are mostly in the eastern half of the US. Not all Polyiso is created equal. The example she chose, R-Max polyiso, which is stocked at some Home Depot stores in the western half of the USA, has much poorer cell structure consistency than Super Tuff-R or Thermax. Consumer grade polyiso sheathing like R-Max, Super Tuff-R or J-M AP Foil have FSK "Foil-Scrim-Kraft' facers, thus they have only a class C fire resistance rating. Commercial grades like Thermax have class A fire rating.
@@AdamA-pm3yn I'm sure that people who have chosen to be dumb*asses don't "GAF"
You have no idea how valuable this video is to me. Thank you Belinda!
Great video. It's nice to hear somebody talk about foam who isn't either an installer or a GC.
This is the second of your videos that I have watched. Thank you for your detailed description of these products and the pros and cons of each. Very helpful. Thank you. And, I am a new subscriber.
Best video on rigid foam insulation ever! Thank you!
I really appreciate your work. I send these to clients to help them make informed decisions. I love your delivery thank you
this video was well researched and intelligently presented. a few comments. one of the things that they do to deter insect intrusion into foam insulation these days is to apply a borate coating on the surface. it doesn't prevent insects from boring into the insulation, but when they ingest the borate, they dehydrate and die. that said, after enough insects have "paid the price", eventually the borate coating is breached. one other feature about the different types of foam insulation is the coefficient of thermal expansion. eps has the lowest, xps is a little greater and polyisocyanurate is the largest (by about 50% as i recall). so, a large board would noticeably shrink in cold temperatures, opening up voids between the panels. since the insulation would sit behind cladding, you wouldn't typically see that. the story about polyisocyanurate losing its thermal properties at low temperatures is sort of a half truth, that got picked up and turned into a "whole truth" along the grapevine. there was a paper written around 2007, or so, entitled "analysis of variables in the determination of lambda/k-factor of construction insulations". what they found was that polyisocyanurate with a felt substrate showed a trend of increasing k-value at low temperatures. they did not observe that trend for polyisocyanurate with a foil substrate. the ultimate conclusion of the paper was that there were general problems with test methodologies for the determination of k-values of insulating materials. any of these foam insulation types can be a vapor barrier, depending on how thick the sheet is. for example, as i recall, xps is classified as a vapor barrier when the thickness is greater than one inch. you typically don't want to put a vapor barrier on the exterior of your wall in a heating climate, but advocates overcome these concerns by declaring that the continuous insulation increases the dew point temperature at the sheathing, with the objective of keeping the sheathing temperature above the dew point temperature so that you don't get condensation at the sheathing (thereby reducing the risk of mold growth). there are some assumptions built into that rationale. as an aside, one of my nits is seeing trademarks getting violated. "styofoam" is not the generic name for either eps or xps. it is a brand name for the blue xps insulation product sold by dow chemical company. in your video, you will notice that only the xps board made by dow chemical bears the name "styrofoam" (for what it's worth, i also get annoyed when people generically call a reciprocating saw a "sawzall").
Picking up on your last point, going back to the late 70's a friend's mother used to call all computers IBMs.
These are simply excellent videos for the average DIY guy. Please keep them coming.
Thank you for all the excellent details. I am using XPS to insulate our home, and I am more glad now than ever. Seems like the best option for the money. Really appreciate all of your work.
Wow this is one of the better channels I've seen on KZhead. Definitely gained a sub 👍
Another great video, really useful background to insulants that I'm specifying all the time but the additional information you give is a real eye opener and I'll certainly be using this information.
It is a pleasure to listen to somebody who know their subject. Thank you for sharing.
This is the very first video I've watched of yours. I'm subscribing, simply because this is absolutely the best tutorial I've ever seen! Highly informative and entertaining, which my many years as a tutor have revealed are essential to the educational experience. You've got it!
Beautiful, articulate and knowledgeable. Thank you for the information and superior presentation.
Wow, I learned more about insulation in these 5 minutes than my whole life. Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Thanks so very much. This is the first video which explained all I needed to know about the different products. I've also watched your video on rock wool vs. fiberglass insulation. Keep up the good work. I love your videos and am a subscriber.
This is the second video I have watched and I already love you. So many things I did not know about materials I have been using for decades!
I found this video very educational. Your delivery of the information was on point and I absolutely loved the little jokes you threw in for fun. I can tell you really enjoy making these videos for others. Keep up your good work sharing the good vibes. Much love to you, dear.
Excellent video, been working as an architect for years, but never really understood the differences, thank you!
Belinda, just came across your videos. I would say they are informative in depth and the very best I've viewed on KZhead . You've got me, subscribed. VERY WELL DONE.
Once again, loving the information density in your videos! Just as a side note: after about 10 years of using XPS I've often seen sheets of it get too much UV-Radiation and from my experience it does indeed suffer from photodegradation. The outer layers become lighter in color and dissolve into a dust which has an unpleasant chemical odour, sticks to your skin and resists washing off. So make sure to have some sort of UV barrier between it and any gaps in roofing material or it will start to wear out
PIR and PUR aren't that different in this particular aspect. Most polymers are vulnerable to UV.
Thank you for this! Very informative, and perfect timing as I am just now planning to use rigid insulation on my garage. Looks like XPS is the winner for me!
i've read and listened to numerous comparisons of these materials. This one is perhaps the most succinct and useful.
Thanks Belinda! I’m going to build an outbuilding and had considered different insulation options, but your thorough examination of a variety of insulation products has really helped me. Thank you!!!
Hi there, I am also working as an insulator but just from last 8 months in NZ, but from your videos i learn alot about the R value thing and pros and cons of materials thanks and keep it up its good for new comers.
Every one of your insulation videos is exceptional. Very informative, great everything.
One of the best videos on this topics. If you could/know to do a video on difference on paints (water, latex, oil...) and thinset in tile instalation it would be great. 👍
FINALLY some real objective information! After months of research this vid has had the best information to help my decision making. THANK YOU.
Outstanding performance! Information that every DYI installer should have before selecting materials. Had to view it twice to fully appreciate.
So informative! Thank you for putting these videos together.
Refreshingly technical and in-depth. Thanks!
watched a few of these, and they are all very informative.. your personality also shines through, so it doesn't feel like i'm listening to a text book. also really enjoyed the little memes you put in here and there. very nice. you got yourself a new sub. cheers!
What an outstanding presentation ! Thank you so much, I was looking for some detailed description in order to make my choice for my building foundations.
We really appreciate your nerd-outs, Belinda. This is a discussion well worth having. Thanks for making it so accessible.
These comparison are great. Now we know for real what the heck is all about this materials once for all ! BRAVO !
Great videos! Super informative and well balanced point of view. Also, your pronunciation of the chemical compounds is awesome. I would still be doing retakes to get them right...!
I am a person that believes in being very specific with detail. Old school, report who, what ,where, and when and sometimes why. Why is very important. Your doing a good job of reporting.
Hello Belinda, thank you very much! This is very helpful for me in my bee hive insulation materials research. Knowing the differences in material properties is valuable as well as the global impact when it becomes waste material.
Thanks for posting this. I learned so much just now! It really did answer a great deal of my questions.
This is definitely my new favorite channel
Great little video series, extremely helpful and straight forward, thanks
Thank you very much for this. This is super useful and interesting. I would really value your thoughts on what you would use for insulation, all things considered, if you were ever willing to share those thoughts. Thanks again for your great videos and all the research that goes into them.
Wow love your video and your voice gives me that euphoric feeling and very informative keep up the great work
Excellent review and thank you for the knowledge!!!
From a fellow Texan , thanks for all these great educational videos. I have learned so much and I’m gonna be utilizing some soon. Thanks again
Ok. I just like your work. Second video I have watched. Detailed research and great presentation.
please continue this analyzing other insulators like batts, blown in cellulose, and 🤢spray foam🤢
yes, as well as rock-wool
Yeah this would be fantastic
@@timskufca8039 already has!
@@JohnSmith-kf1fc damn, I missed out on them then
Excellent videos!!! What catches me off guard is you're like me with a good sense of humour but completely deadpan with delivery. Those clips like from South Park etc. so unexpected but good. Again enjoying your channel - concise clear information.
I'm studying for the AREs and your videos have been so incredibly heplful! Thank you :)
Belinda, thank you for your explanation of the three foam products that are being used in so many different applications. I got my start in molding EPS foam blocks 59 years ago in Grand Rapids, MI. I recall the block molding machine (Kurtz) that Steve Buchanan commented on that represented old technology compared to today. It was one of the best available in the '70s and was so far advanced from our home-built block molds. By the way, in the 25 years that I was in this business, all our EPS was impregnated with n-pentane as the blowing agent. Wish you well. Mike Allen
Thanks for an informative explanation of these. Video saved; You got yourself a new subscriber 🙂
I've commented this before - I'd love to see you do a whole video on thermal drift in insulation materials. I think this is an under-appreciated topic among Architects and many are fooled by the high initial R-value of materials like polyiso. Thanks this is great!
Yes!
agree. Can you do this? I would like to know Polyiso over 5 winter/summer seasons what the R value is in the 5th summer.
@@RJG772That would be very interesting. Essentially a rate of R value decay. It would also be interesting to know if polyiso reaches a thermal drift steady state, and if so, how long it takes to reach the steady state.
I enjoy your commentary and find you very informative looking forward to other videos
Excellent presentation of information, straight to the point... Thankyou
Very Informative. It helped me make the best decision when I insulated my ceiling.
Very well made video, concise and informative. Thanks!
Love your humor and thanks for the education. Great video
the best explanation ever! thank you Belinda
amazing information with a good study of chemical composition, your homework is shown on the video, thank you a lot for your efforts.
You are brilliant Belinda
Thanks for these informative videos. It would be interesting to compare these to natural insulators such as cork. I realise that there is not enough cork grown for industrial construction worldwide, but would still be of interest on specialised builds and reworking old buildings that only contain natural materials.
such an informative video...thank you for your knowledge!!
This was a GREAT explanation and video. Loved it! Thanks for sharing. Jan.
You are brilliant. I love your explanations. Super informative.
Your videos should be part of curriculum for real life application relatability and inspiration - I could see some being used for both highschool and college and trades. This is great. keep making great content!
Very well explained and very informative. Thank you.
Wonderful Work Young Lady! Please keep it coming. Subscribed
That was a great video. You are well versed in this stuff. I can better decide which insulation to use.TY
I think us architect's should get education credits for watching your channel!😍
Excellent and clear presentation
Excellent, concise information. Thank you!
Great videos, especially you educating me during isolation, and making me laugh. Insulation is such an important factor for our future: saving energy vs creating toxic landfill. Could you please do one comparing polystyrene and phenolic foam?
Amazing informational video; well done and thank you!
GREAT! Thanks for the info! saved me time doing comparison!
Just a fantastic video in every way. Thank you so much
Another excellent video. Well done! Thank you again!
I love the information, and the way it's presented. That South Park clip just helped me choose to subscribe. We're buying our first house, and just trying to get hip to the lingo and way things are made. Thank you!
Great information. we’ve used all of that and of course Spray Foam on site foams are really crazy we can do a lot of funky things with them thanks for the explanation and the breakdown.
Wow you are the best to explain these product.
Very good content. Much better than I expected!
Good presentation, thanks for the clear explanation.
Such a professional presentation!
Amazing video exactly what I was looking for
Great informative video. I think it would be good to see a chart at the end of the video to compare the three foams across all criteria.
Great information! Keep the videos coming. 👍
Thank you for another informative video. Great job.
Your nerdiness makes me happy.
Wow. I was aware of everything BUT polyiso not working below 50°f. That's a real eye opener for the build I was planning. Thank you!
'Not working' was overstating it. Something like 25% less effective at 50 than at 75.
Would love to see more videos on these and similar materials and their uses, and properties.
fantastic video! pristine organization, just enough of the actual material science to make further digging easier, simple explanations, and a sprinkle of south park. i love it lol
Just found your videos and I'm thoroughly enjoying them!
Wow. Thank-you so much for your great tutorial.
Very, very informative. Thank you very much, Belinda.
EXCELLENT PRESENTATION!
Awesome video! Always wondered the difference between these products when working on various projects. Thanks
I just love your channel! Thank you for making great content.:)
Excellent presentation, thank you!
Love your videos Belinda so much useful information!
Thank you!
Great video! Sending love from Tasmania!