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Resistance to the flow of heat is measured in “R-value”, the higher the R-value, the harder it is for heat to get through. STYROFOAM extruded polystyrene insulation is rated at an R-value of 5.0 per inch at 75°F.
What is the R-value of 1 inch foam?
The polystyrene is expanded. Styrofoam insulation is the cheapest material. R-values can range from 3.6 to 4.2 per inch.
What is R-value of white styrofoam?
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the white foam you see in disposable coffee cups and beer coolers. Its nominal R-value is 4 per inch. It’s the main type of rigid foam board used in structural insulated panels and is also used as roof and wall sheathing sometimes.
What is the R-value of rigid foam?
Rigid foam R-values range from R-1 for 1/4-inch thick sheathing panels to R-15 for 3-inch thick panels. R-value is not entirely a function of the thickness of the material, as the facing material and type of foam used will affect the R-value of the material.
Is styrofoam a good insulator?
Styrofoam has millions of small air bubbles trapped inside the foam. Since air is a bad conductor of heat Styrofoam efficiently prevents heat transfer. Styrofoam reduces conduction and convection. In this way, it is one of the best existing insulators.
What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?
Brand Names. Both pink and blue foam boards are rigid insulation panels made from extruded polystyrene. The chemical composition, manufacturing process and insulating capability of the two products are similar; the principal difference between them is that they are manufactured by two different companies.
What is the R-value of 3 inch foam board?
This product typically has an R value of 3.6 to 4.0 per inch of thickness.
What is the highest R-value foam board?
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.
What insulation has the highest R-value?
Vacuum insulated panels have the highest R-value, approximately R-45 (in U.S. units) per inch; aerogel has the next highest R-value (about R-10 to R-30 per inch), followed by polyurethane (PUR) and phenolic foam insulations with R-7 per inch.
Can you leave foam board insulation exposed?
When exposed outdoors, foam board insulation can see damage from the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Tests have shown that these laminated boards can withstand UV ray damage for a reasonably long time. That said, it’s still advisable to cover any foam board insulation exposed to the Sun within 30-60 days at the most.
What is the R-value of 1/2 foam board?
STYROFOAM extruded polystyrene insulation is rated at an R-value of 5.0 per inch at 75°F.
Do you need a vapor barrier with rigid foam insulation?
Rigid foam insulation is it’s own vapour barrier in this application, so you don’t need to use the poly. Yes, you can go right over your existing blown in insulation with batt insulation, just make sure you butt the batts up tight against one another so there are no gaps.
What is the R-value of 4 inch Styrofoam?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). It provides an R-value of 4 per inch of thickness and is the cheapest type of foam board insulation. EPS is used under roofing, over foundation walls and beneath siding.
Does Styrofoam keep cold out?
Styrofoam is primarily made of air. This makes it a poor conductor of heat but an excellent insulator. While a Styrofoam cooler does a great job of keeping cold items cool for long periods of time, they don’t cool items that are already warm.
Why is Styrofoam bad?
Yes. Styrene is the building block for Styrofoam, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists styrene as a “probable carcinogen to humans”. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Styrofoam is commonly contaminated with flame-retardant chemicals that can leach into the environment and harm human health.
Is wood a better insulator than Styrofoam?
The wood blocked at least 10 degrees more heat than styrofoam or silica aerogel, which had been awarded the Guinness World Record for ‘best insulator’. The nanowood, which is white, also effectively reflects sunlight.
What is the pink foam insulation called?
Pink/Blue foam is actually EXTRUDED Polystyrene. This is a closed-cell extruded form of polystyrene that is commonly known by the trade name of “Styrofoam”. Just as most people call a vacuum-cleaner a “Hoover” Extruded Polystyrene is called “Styrofoam”.
What is the R value of pink Styrofoam insulation?
There are generally two types of foam board products available in the market today, pink and blue foam boards. They are both manufactured using polystyrene resin and perform virtually in a similar manner. They have an insulating R value of 5 per inch of thickness.
Is foam board insulation breathable?
The R-5 insulation value is very good, and this newer foam board insulation type offers a few unique advantages. Pros: Breathable and semi-permeable which helps reduce the risk of mold, rot and structural damage associated with moisture condensation.
Which side of foam board insulation faces out?
If you’re wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room.
Does foam board deaden sound?
Styrofoam Foam Sheets are lightweight and can be covered with acoustic fabric and used as sound blocking panels to reduce sound transfer. The material can also be used to fashion bass traps to absorb or deflect low-frequency sound.
How thick is R13 rigid insulation?
About R13 Insulation R13 fiberglass batt insulation, typically used in walls and floors, is 3 5/8 inches thick, according to Energy.gov. Insulation needs and the effectiveness of the insulation vary depending on climate and material.
What is a good 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.
Does stacking foam insulation increase R-value?
Multi-Layering of Polyiso Insulation Offers Efficiency Advantages. Polyiso is the insulation of choice for commercial roof applications because its closed cell characteristics create more R-value per inch than any other rigid foam board insulation product.
How thick should Styrofoam insulation be?
How Thick Is Rigid Foam Insulation Board? Rigid board insulation generally comes in standard thicknesses ranging from ½ inch to 2 inches. It is possible for homes located in extreme climates to order specialty thicknesses of up to 6 inches directly from certain manufacturers.
