Looking for the perfect insulation material for your project? Using SOPRA XPS comes with many benefits. This product range performs excellently in terms of compressive strength, reliability, durability, climate-friendliness, and recyclability – among other characteristics. In what follows, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of XPS insulation in more detail.
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Our insulation boards have excellent load-bearing capacities, making them the ideal choice for – among other applications – ballasted roofs, rooftop car parks, parking garages, floors of industrial buildings that have to bear the weight of heavy machines, and cold storage environments where both compressive strength and insulation performance are required. SOPRA XPS 500 and SOPRA XPS 700 perform well under high compression, with respective compressive strengths at 10% deformation of 500 and 700 kPa.
SOPRA XPS provides good thermal insulation even in boards with limited thickness. Our XPS boards with 300 kPa start from 30 millimetres; 500 kPa from 40 millimetres; and 700 kPa from 50 millimetres. The maximum thickness is 300 millimetres, depending on the panel. SOPRA XPS CW Artic and SOPRA XPS SL Artic go up to 200 millimetres in thickness.
The closed-cell structure of XPS results in very low lambda values (ranging from 0.029 (for SOPRA XPS Artic) to 0.036 W/mK).
Soprema offers a forty-year SOPRACOVER Warranty on systems consisting of SOPRA XPS and DUOFLEX – a combination that is frequently used in inverted roofs, plazas and podiums. As this impressive warranty already makes clear: provided installation and maintenance instructions are followed, XPS boards have a very long lifespan and will not degrade over time.
XPS insulation is highly resistant to water and moisture ingress due to its closed-cell structure, making it the go-to insulation material for foundation walls and other below-ground applications, as well as for inverted roofs.
Because XPS boards are very light and easy to handle, they are easy to install. XPS is the ideal solution for blue roofs and green roofs which require insulation properties and a highly compressive insulant. It can be combined with DUOFLEX where the BBA states approval for blue and green roof applications.
Thanks to its long lifespan, XPS is a more sustainable insulation option than insulation materials that need regular replacement and thus generate waste across the raw material, manufacturing and disposal cycle. But there are more ways in which our BREEAM A-rated SOPRA XPS products prove that plastics in construction can be sustainable.
While our Artic products are manufactured elsewhere, most SOPRA XPS boards are made in Tongeren with climate-friendly CO2 technology. In our Belgian XPS factory, we refrain from using chemicals like HFC and opt for CO2 as a blowing agent instead. Moreover, for raw materials we use the cutting waste of other XPS boards and new or end-of-life EPS, among other resources.
Of course, the fact that XPS insulation enhances the thermal performance of a building (thereby reducing its energy demand), also contributes to its sustainable character.
SOPRA XPS is approved by the Green Guide to Specification.
After disassembly, XPS boards can be 100% recycled. It goes without saying that the extruded boards are a clever move towards a circular economy and a circular construction industry.
XPS has an impressive application versatility. The insulation type is best suited for inverted roofs but has plenty of other applications as well – from floors to walls. For distributors, having one type of XPS panel at their disposal offers a wider scope as the product can serve multiple purposes. The boards also come with various edge profiles, from tongue and groove to rebate and straight.
We have already mentioned that SOPRA XPS and DUOFLEX are often used together, but our extruded boards are compatible with the entire Soprema waterproofing range. Because we manufacture all system components, we can also ensure the product compatibility of XPS with, for instance, basement waterproofing or structural waterproofing systems. Partnering with a single manufacturer for both insulation and waterproofing also results in a single point of warranty and contact.
Fire classification is a disadvantage of some insulation types. XPS insulation has a Euroclass E rating. Yet when XPS insulation boards are used in an inverted roof scenario, with a ballasted finish, the system can be classified as unrestricted in the UK, meaning that it can be used within any distance to other buildings. Similarly, while some cassette-packaged green roof systems will require independent BROOF(t4) testing, a fire test is not necessary to comply with UK guidelines in the case of:
Extruded polystyrene (XPS) closed-cell, rigid XPS insulation significantly improves the energy efficiency of unfinished exterior and interior walls for remodeling and new construction. In addition, the XPS boards provide thermal resistance with an R-value of 4.6 to 5.0, depending on their density, to create a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce utility bills. Moisture-resistant XPS panel insulation, with an absorption rate of 0.3 percent, resists moisture intrusion during and after application to help protect against damaging and unhealthy mold and rot.
Lightweight, versatile, and simple to install, extruded polystyrene sheets typically come in 8-foot and 5-foot lengths, ranging from 16 inches to 4 feet wide and ¾-inch to 4-inches wide. The sheets come unfaced, and are covered with a foil facing, or laminated with plastic. The facing adds water resistance, and the lamination offers strength, but neither affects the sheets’ R-value. XPS sheets come in an array of colors (typically blue, green, and pink), based on the manufacturer, not insulating quality.
Flexible XPS boards come in various compressive strengths, making them ideal for numerous applications in all areas of the building envelope:
Manufacturing XPS insulation involves combining polystyrene crystals with special additives and a gas blowing agent. Manufacturers feed the mixture into an extruding machine that blends and melts it into a thick liquid. The liquid then gets processed through a die, which expands it into foam, shapes, cools, and trims it into standard-sized rectangular or square boards, with surfaces according to the intended use.
Specially designed machines produce XPS boards in smooth, rough, and grooved surfaces.
Demanding applications, like below-grade installation, utilize smooth XPS panels. Smooth, closed-cell XPS panels protect against absorption and diffusion due to long-term water exposure.
Rough surfaces increase the adhesion of the facade plaster.
Grooves in the XPS panel enhance wall drainage and thermal insulation for foundations.
XPS insulation offers many benefits contributing to an eco-friendly, healthy, durable, and safe building envelope.
XPS closed cell insulation, with an R-value of 4.6 and 5.0, gives it a high thermal resistance value, making it extremely energy efficient, by saving energy in buildings and reducing CO2 emissions.
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100-percent recyclable XPS allows manufacturers to melt and reform the thermoplastic polystyrene resin into new XPS foam insulation.
XPS insulation’s high compressive strength allows it to withstand a high pressure of >300 kPa, so it can withstand more than lbs ft2 (30,000 kilos m2) with a maximum deformation of 10 percent, making it ideal for challenging applications:
XPS insulation provides water and freeze-thaw resistance, to protect the insulation’s thermal performance from damaging rot and unhealthy mold. In addition, the high permeability of XPS insulation makes it ideal for bathrooms and other high-moisture rooms.
Lightweight XPS insulation allows for easy application without irritating the worker’s skin.
Applying XPS insulation boards involves gluing the lightweight sheets to the substrate, which is much simpler than batts, blown-in fibers, or spray foam insulation. It is important to only use the manufacturer’s recommended foam-safe adhesive. The wrong glue can melt the foam. In addition, butt the sheets snugly together and seal joints with a manufacturer-recommended adhesive seam tape.
To insulate the stud, joist, and rafter cavities, cut the sheets to fit snug in the cavities, inserting them flush with the framing. To prevent airflow that can diminish the R-value, fill gaps along the edges with expandable insulation foam, safe for use with XPS. You can increase the R-value in two-by-six and larger dimension framing by inserting an additional layer of rigid foam insulation.
You can simply cut thin XPS sheets (less than 2-inches) by holding the straight edge of a utility knife along the cut line, scoring it about 3/4-inch deep. After scoring, lay the sheet on a table scored side up with the cut about 1-inch off the table. Firmly hold the sheet down and snap along the line. Trim the rough edges with the utility knife
For thicker sheets (greater than 2-inch), you will need a handheld drywall saw, or a table saw.
Installing 2-inch EPS boards on exterior sheathing requires additional furring strips or other structural supports. In addition, 2-inch XPS does not supply the strength needed to support the weight of the siding. Therefore, Sto strongly recommends that you check with your local building authority to determine the required type of additional support before installing 2-inch XPS as exterior sheathing.
Sto offers superior, simple-to-apply cladding solutions for applying XPS to an exterior wall system compared to XPS insulation boards: StoTherm ci XPS and StoPanel XPS ci. In addition, Sto XPS CI wall systems meet the requirements of fire, energy, and green building codes.
Sto XPS Wall Systems meets the requirements of NFPA 285 and NFPA 268 for use on non-combustible construction (Types I-IV).
Ch. 6: Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Atmospheric Quality (Section 606: Building Thermal Envelope insulation and Air Sealing) Alternative Compliance Path: ASHRAE 189.1-
Durable StoTherm® ci XPS, one of StoTherm® ci wall systems, is a drainable exterior insulation finishing system that incorporates high R-value XPS insulation into the wall system, and StoGuard® fluid-applied air and moisture barrier, with Owens Corning Foamular CI-C or Dow STYROFOAM™ Panel Core 20 insulation. StoTherm® ci XPS produces water and airtight air walls to ensure superior durability and thermal efficiency.
The unique, durable system sustains maximum curb appeal and lowers energy bills to save money. In addition, StoTherm® ci XPS can be finished with a variety of Sto textured finishes or specialty aesthetic finishes to accommodate your building’s design needs.
Lightweight StoPanel XPS ci prefabricated panels incorporate extruded insulation within the panel assembly, and create exterior wall cladding with excellent air and weather tightness, superior thermal performance, and long-lasting durability. In addition, architects and designers can choose from Sto’s numerous decorative and protective color and finish options.
StoPowerwall® ci energy-efficient stucco wall systems include StoGuard® air and water-resistive barrier, Owens Corning or Dow Type IV XPS insulation board, Sto DrainScreen, and Sto textured finishes.
StoPowerwall ci integrates continuous XPS insulation, air/moisture barrier, drainage, and Sto’s extensive collection of aesthetic surfaces in a hard coat stucco system.
Designers can use Sto’s unique Color System as a planning tool for choosing the colors for their architectural designs. The Sto Color System provides several benefits:
The Sto Color Collections include:
Sto’s extensive selection of finishes features pure white marble aggregate, acrylic polymers in various textures, and a wide range of color options to boost your design and harmonize with the surrounding environment. In addition, durable, high-performing Sto finishes resist dirt and water, protect the building’s facade, and enhance its curb appeal. Sto high-quality finishes include:
StoCast Finishes
Specialty Aesthetic Finishes
StoSignature
Sto Traditional Finishes
iQ Technology
Sto offers superior, sustainable, simple-to-apply, multiple code-compliant cladding solutions for applying XPS to an exterior wall system compared to XPS insulation boards. Drainable StoTherm® ci XPS and StoPanel XPS ci create high-performing, sustainable, and attractive cladding systems, improve indoor comfort and air quality, save both money and energy, and ensure long-term durability:
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