Polystyrene Bead Insulation R Value

Expanded polystyrene insulation is similar to the foam used for packing peanuts and it s typically used for insulated concrete forms also knows as icf s.

Polystyrene bead insulation r value.

Perlite and vermiculite granular fill offer an r value of up to 2 4 per inch according to the u s. Expanded polystyrene foam eps is the cheapest and least used foam board product on the market. Department of energy while inspectapedia reports the r value of polystyrene beads at 2 3 per inch. Recent concerns have been raised about the brominated flame retardant hbcd hexabromocyclododecane for the organic chemists among us see flame retardant used in polystyrene to be banned by eu that is found in all polystyrene insulation both extruded.

Also called styrofoam insulation this is the least expensive material. If the puffed beads fill the cavity the space can obtain r values close to that of fiberglass insulation. Material costs are about 0 31 per square foot for each inch of thickness plus installation costs. Insulation is a critical component of buildings.

Polystyrene loose fill or bead insulation typically has a lower r value compared to the foam board. Another application in construction for polystyrene beads is retrofit insulation of un insulated exterior walls. It provides r values that range from 3 6 to 4 2 per inch. In this application the puffed beads are poured into the wall cavity between the studs by drilling a hole in the top of the wall.

Select 2 to 4 items to compare. Expanded polystyrene made from expanded foam beads that are molded into shape expanded polystyrene or eps is ideal for above grade applications such as exterior walls and offers an r value of 3 6 to 4 2 per inch. Products with a higher r value have a higher cost but have an increased capacity to resist heat flow and therefore provide greater insulation. Loose fill polystyrene is a hazard.

This product typically has an r value of 3 6 to 4 0 per inch of thickness. Each type comes with unique advantages. Additional r value for a masonry wall constructed using these materials needs to add the insulating value of additional wall components typically included such as 1 solid foam polyisocyanurate r 8 extruded polystyrene r 5 expanded polystyrene r 4 or 1 of perlite r 2 7 and for an exterior air film winter no wind r 0 17 an interior.