Pros and Cons of EPS and XPS

Installation of styrofoam insulation panel on facade

EPS (expanded polystyrene) and XPS (extruded polystyrene) are two common types of rigid foam insulation used in building construction. Both materials are made from polystyrene and have similar physical properties, but there are some differences in how they are manufactured and their performance characteristics. EPS is commonly used as insulation in walls, roofs, and foundations…

Read More

R-value Alone Does Not Measure Insulation Effectiveness

A stack of wooden boards on the display

R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. In theory, the higher the R-value, the greater that resistance. That’s fine as far as it goes. Unfortunately, R-Value has taken hold in the consumer’s mind as a universal method for comparing insulation – the higher the R-Value, the better…

Read More

Polyiso Insulation

A batch of wooden boards on the display

Polyiso is one of the nation’s most widely used and cost-effective insulation products and has been cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its responsible impact on the environment. Polyiso is a closed-cell, rigid foam board insulation.  Because of its high thermal performance in the home building market, it is the product of choice…

Read More

EPS and Recycling

A hand holding a plastic container

EPS is everywhere: It holds your food, secures items in packages, provides insulation in homes and industry and it’s even in your bike helmet. It’s also known as plastic #6, which you’ve seen used in plastic cups and CD and DVD cases. Can expanded polystyrene, EPS, be recycled? Even if your community recycles plastic #6,…

Read More

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle = Recycling

A truck loaded with boards on display

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, commonly referred to as Recycling is one of the most feel-good and useful environmental practices around. The benefits go way beyond reducing piles of trash — recycling protects ecosystem diversity with the added benefit of saving energy, reduced water consumption and resource savings, such as crude oil, trees and metal ores. Recycling…

Read More