What is pink insulation foam?

Extruded Polystyrene.

This foam board insulation is the rigid pink or blue panels that can be found at home centers in many different thicknesses. It is denser than EPS and provides more R-Value with a rating of 5 per inch of thickness.

What is pink foam made of?

Pink and blue rigid foam insulation boards are made from polystyrene resin that is melted and then forced through a die to form it into the desired shape.

What is the difference between pink and blue styrofoam insulation?

Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company.

Is pink foam insulation waterproof?

Foam board insulation products are generally considered water and mold resistant but expanded polystyrene foam boards (EPS) have air bubbles that can collect moisture and become wet. Moisture makes it hard to prevent mold from growing, making the foam board also prone to mildew growth.

What is the R-value of 2 pink foam board?

With an R-value of 13.1 for a 2" thick sheet only two 2" sheets are required to achieve R-25. 2. Extruded polystyrene or XPS (foam is usually pink or blue) XPS has an R-value of 5 per inch of thickness requiring 5" of insulation to achieve R-25.

Testing The Burn Ability Of Insulation In Wall

Which foam board has the highest R-value?

Polyisocyanurate: Known as polyiso for short, polyisocyanurate foam has the highest R-value per inch (R-6.5 to R-6.8) of any rigid insulation.

Does foam board insulation need a vapor barrier?

Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.

What is the difference between XPS and EPS foam?

EPS (expanded) and XPS (extruded) are both closed-cell rigid insulation made from the same base polystyrene resins and manufactured differently, EPS is beads that are molded or cut into various sizes and shapes while XPS is extruded sheets.

What happens if foam insulation gets wet?

You know your home has spray foam insulation if wall and floor cavities are filled with hard white foam. Though spray foam doubles as a moisture barrier and creates an air-tight seal, the leak is still problematic because water can damage the wood surrounding the insulation.

What is the best insulation to use in my attic?

Spray foam offers the best attic insulation performance available. Choose from two types: closed-cell and open-cell, aka 2-pound and ½-pound, respectively. They sport insulation values of approximately R-6.5 and R-3.6 per inch, respectively.

Is EPS foam the same as Styrofoam?

The foam that you formerly knew as styrofoam is actually expanded polystyrene foam or EPS. This material is made from polystyrene, a plastic that's often used to make clear products like food packaging or lab equipment.

Is foam board insulation toxic?

Most rigid polystyrene foam insulation boards, both the EPS and XPS types, contain the toxic flame retardant HBCD, which was banned by the European Union in 2015.

What insulation should I use in my ceiling?

Depending on where you live and the part of your home you're insulating (walls, crawlspace, attic, etc.), you'll need a different R-Value. Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces.

What happens when pink insulation gets wet?

Glassfiber insulation is made from strands of glass fiber and temporarily loses its thermal resistance when it gets wet. However, if it can dry out and has not become compacted, it will retain its insulating properties. Wet insulation in a closed wall cavity will usually not rapidly dry out.

Whats the difference between open and closed cell spray foam?

Open cell foam is full of cells that aren't completely encapsulated. In other words, the cells are deliberatly left open. This makes the foam a softer, more flexable material. Closed cell foam is made up of cells that are, as the name suggests, completely closed.

Is EPS better than XPS?

XPS, at about R-5 per 25 mm, has only a slightly better thermal performance than EPS. The thermal insulation performance of EPS and XPS in identical densities is quite close. However, EPS with the same level of density is less expensive.

Where would you use XPS insulation?

Manufacturers are now reporting the Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) of their XPS products to account for the reduction in r-value over time. XPS provides increased stiffness and rigidity, making it suitable for use on roofs, below grade, below slab, and other applications.

Is XPS more expensive than EPS?

EPS is more cost-efficient than XPS, running between 10% – 30% less per R-value equivalent as well as compressive strength.

Is pink foam board flammable?

“Rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams will, when ignited, burn rapidly and produce intense heat, dense smoke and gases which are irritating, flammable and/or toxic.

What goes first house wrap or foam board?

Simplifying the decision

If you are installing “innie” windows, your housewrap should go under the foam. If you are installing “outie” windows, your housewrap should go over the foam.

Do you put Tyvek over insulation board?

DuPont™ Tyvek® wraps can be installed UNDER or OVER exterior foam insulation.

What is the thinnest insulation with highest R-value?

Thermablok® Aerogel is a revolutionary advancement in thermal technology offering the thinnest insulation available to prevent thermal and cold bridging. Classed as a Super Insulation, Aerogel has the highest insulation value of any known material with the lowest thermal conductivity value of any solid (0.015W/mK).