Extruded polystyrene insulation makes a house a home

Dow Building Solutions has launched a new extruded polystyrene insulation board that it says will bring excellent strength, moisture resistance and long-term durability to a wider audience.

New Styrofoam 150-A has been added to the company’s Styrofoam insulation range to make the material more accessible to those working on smaller projects across the new build, refurbishment and self-build sectors.

The UK-manufactured, multi-purpose boards are designed to help builders achieve U-values required by building regulations, and can be used in a variety of applications such as: floors, perimeters, walls (internal and external) and pitched roofs.

“Rising fuel bills mean you’ll even hear energy efficiency talked about in the pub these days, and proven, easy to install insulation materials that can stand the test of time are really in demand on projects of all shapes and sizes,” said Matt Dyke of Dow Building Solutions.

“Styrofoam has a great track record in the commercial sector and features on some of the best-known landmarks in Britain, ranging from offices in Canary Wharf to the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.”

New Styrofoam 150-A boards are available in thicknesses of 50mm, 75mm and 100mm and measure 1250mm x 600mm. They are said to offer thermal conductivity as low as 0.033 W/mk, with additional benefits such as moisture resistance, strength, rot resistance and long term durability.

Dow says the polystyrene foam – which is produced in an extrusion process giving it its unique closed cell structure - is blown with carbon dioxide, giving it a Global Warning Potential (GWP) of less than five which is required by the Code for Sustainable Homes, for example.

The boards can be cut on site with a hand saw and are light enough for one person to install. With lower density and compressive strength than traditional Styrofoam boards, the insulation is designed for small construction projects.