General Description
POLYFOAM expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid thermoplastic, with a cellular structure, comprising closed cell polystyrene beads fused together to form a block of approximately 98% by volume of air and 2% solid polystyrene. POLYFOAM is ideally suited to meeting the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code Acceptable Solutions Energy Efficiency. With characteristics compatible with virtually all building materials POLYFOAM provides the versatility, design and cost advantages that other materials can not offer.
Click on the brochure to view Ten Great Reasons to use POLYFOAM.
- Exceptional insulation properties
- Puts the breaks on heat transmission
- Increase household comfort
- Value for money
- Reduces condensation
- Prevents mildew and moisture
- Durable
- Safe and enviromentlly friendly
- Better for the planet
- Compatible with other building systems
Excellent insulating qualities, highly suitable for insulating concrete slabs. Easy to handle, cut and install. Chemically neutral. End of Life Recycling.
Brochures
Uses in Construction
Concrete slab-on-ground floors
POLYFOAM in various thicknesses can be used as an insulation material in slab-on-ground concrete slabs.
Best practice suggests that a minimum of 60mm S grade POLYFOAM sheet is laid on top of the DPM, sand blinding and hardfill before the reinforcing is laid and concrete is poured. The R value of 60mm S grade POLYFOAM is approximately 1.6 plus the additional R value of the concrete.
When to use Poyfoam in a concrete slab?
Adding Polyfoam insulation into a concrete floor is particulary important:-
for small floor slabs (<80m2),
when heating elements are incorporated into the slab,
when the water table beneath the slab is less than 1 m below the surface,
when the slab is designed to act as a thermal store for solar heat gain
Architectural Shapes
POLYFOAM is very easily cut into architectural shapes that can be used to enhance the look of your home.
Cavity Insulation
POLYFOAM is an ideal insulating material for the cavity in timber framing construction or as a core in insulated panel. It can also be use as a core in concrete tilt slab panels or in the ceiling spaces.
Exterior Insulated Finishing Systems (EIFS)
POLYFOAM has is an excellent cladding for EIFS rendered plaster finishes.
Lightweight construction material
POLYFOAM is great for formwork.
It can be used as protective sheet anywhere
Protection from backfill and water run off
A layer of POLYFOAM will protect blockwork and applied waterproofing mebrames from potential damage.
The impervious nature of EPS will assist in deflecting water and runoff away from the building.