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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.
What is pink foam board used for?
Pink Foam Products As with blue foam products, varieties of pink foam board are available for a range of specific applications, including interior and exterior wall sheathing, roofing, under-slab insulation and foundation wall insulation.
Is pink foam board waterproof?
Foam board insulation doesn’t absorb water, which essentially limits the amount of moisture build-up in your insulation. Polyiso and extruded polystyrene foam boards have the strongest waterproof properties.
What are the properties of blue foam?
Manufactured through a continuous extrusion process, STYROFOAM products possess a rigid closed cell structure (as shown above at 25X magnification) with unique properties such as low thermal conductivity, high resistance to water penetration and high compressive strength. It is lightweight and easily bonded.
Can you put rigid foam insulation between studs?
Even with its flaws—namely, its inability to perfectly mold to the bays between the studs—rigid foam insulation will be a better bet than no insulation. Using low-expanding spray foam sealant to seal those gaps further increases rigid foam’s insulating properties between studs.
How thick should foam board insulation be?
It comes in standard-size 4×8 sheets, and smaller sizes, in many different thicknesses from 1/4 inch to 2 inches. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available, but they may need to be special ordered. Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great DIY way to add some insulation.
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.
At what temperature does foam board melt?
Styrofoam is made from expanded polystyrene, and it does not withstand heat well. It will start to soften at 212 °F, and it will melt at 464 °F.
What is blue foam called?
Styrofoam is a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), commonly called “Blue Board”, manufactured as foam continuous building insulation board used in walls, roofs, and foundations as thermal insulation and water barrier.
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.
Which foam board insulation is best?
Foam board made from polyisocyanurate (polyiso) generally offers the best insulation capacity and 6.5 per inch. Water is the primary “blowing agent,” making it one of the most environmentally-friendly foams used.
What does pink foam mean?
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 blue foam made out of?
Saviro XPS Blue Board is a rigid, thermal insulation board made from extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam.
Does foam board need to be covered?
Rigid foam insulation, whether it is expanded or extruded polystyrene, does have to be covered if it is installed in the interior of a building. This wall covering must have a minimum fire rating to protect the insulation from quick combustion during a fire.
Where and why would you use blue foam?
When To Use Blue Foam Products Blue foam boards come with thin plastic films which protect the polystyrene core and also enhance the strength of the board. It’s no wonder they are commonly used for insulation on the exterior walls. There are blue foam boards that are designed for interior walls.
Can you leave foam board insulation exposed?
Q: Can FOAMULAR® be left exposed in interior applications? A: No. To comply with building codes, all foam plastics must be covered with a 15 minute thermal barrier.
Which foam board insulation is best for basement walls?
Rigid foam boards are attached to basement walls to seal and insulate the space. Rigid foam is ideal for the basement environment because of its water resistance and durability. Rigid foam won’t be damaged by leaks or mold, ensuring you have a long lasting solution for your home.
How long can foam insulation be exposed?
If FOAMULAR® insulation is not covered immediately, it is recommended that it be covered within 60 days. When exposed for up to 60 days, gradual color fading and/or dusting of the surface may occur. Fading or color loss, while noticeable, will not affect the performance of FOAMULAR® XPS insulation.
What does foam board look like?
Foam board usually consists of three layers, an inner layer of polystyrene or polyurethane foam that is clad with an outer facing on each side of either a white clay coated paper, cotton archival paper or common brown Kraft paper.
What do you cover foam board with?
When renovating a bathroom foam board insulation can be installed behind the shower or bath walls. Once the foam board is in place it can be covered with waterproof concrete board or specially treated sheet rock. These coverings will ensure a good long life for the foam insulation by keeping moisture from its surface.
Does foam insulation stop condensation?
Spray foam insulation minimizes moisture-related problems caused by random air leakage because it fills all the cracks and crevices where air enters. Spray foam insulation can effectively seal roofs and other spaces where condensation is more likely.
What is blue foam used for?
Also sold as buoyancy billet, blue foam is a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam normally used for constructing floating structures. As a prototyping material, blue foam is an easily shapable rigid foam useful for exploring complex shapes and forms.
Does foam board mold?
Foam building insulation, in both spray foam and foam board products, is resistant to mold growth but as we will explain here it is not absolutely mold-roof, and on occasion we do find mold growth on the surface of even closed-cell foam, in open-celled foam (rare), and on th surface of EPS and other foam insulating
Does foam board need a vapor barrier?
With traditional insulation, the moisture can quickly become a mold problem. In houses with spray foam insulation, however, vapor barriers are not necessary. Quality closed cell foam insulation acts as a vapor barrier and does not absorb moisture; at the same time, the insulation prevents leakage by closing air gaps.
