Pros and cons of Polystyrene Insulation Products

With energy bills always on the rise, many people throughout the UK are now looking for ways to insulate their home in a bid to cut down heating bills. Insulation achieves two things – Firstly it prevents the house from becoming cold in the winter by retaining heat and secondly it keeps the house cool in the summer by reflecting heat.

A very popular form of insulation is fibreglass but it’s not the only option available. Polystyrene insulation is another viable form of insulation that can be used in homes and other buildings. Before getting polystyrene insulation, it’s useful to know what the pros and cons of using it are. Below is an explanation of its advantages and disadvantages so you can make an informed decision. 

 

image credit : vertapak

Pros of  Polystyrene Insulation Products

#1. Easy to install 

 

A key advantage of polystyrene insulation is that it’s very easy to cut and install. This makes it perfect for use in buildings that might have an irregular shape. Fitting polystyrene insulation into ceilings and walls is usually not an issue and easy to accomplish.

 

#2. Inexpensive

 

Another advantage of using polystyrene insulation is that it’s relatively inexpensive. This means that it’s a very practical type of insulation to use in larger properties.

#3. Sturdy  

 

Polystyrene is also very sturdy and because of this it doesn’t sag or fall over time. Therefore there are no hot or cold spots that develop on the exterior walls.  This is very important when insulating a property and you want a reliable temperature inside the building.

Cons of Polystyrene Insulation Products

#1. Water resistant  

 

Being water resistant may sound like an advantage of polystyrene insulation but in fact it’s a negative. Because the smooth finish of the insulation boards is resistant to water, this means that moisture can build up within the wall without any way for it to be wicked off. 

 

#2. Not as insulating as fibreglass 

 

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of using polystyrene for insulation is that it doesn’t provide the same level of insulation as fibreglass. In fact, several layers of polystyrene must be used in order to achieve the same insulation as just one bat of fibreglass mat. That being said, polystyrene is still effective for use in many properties and does a good job of insulating and saving energy.

 

#3. Incompatible with electric wiring 

 

Another disadvantage of polystyrene insulation is that it’s incompatible with most forms of electrical wiring. The covering that’s used on electrical wiring will erode when it comes into contact with foam insulation. Not only is this problematic but also dangerous and can easily lead to a fire breaking out. There are companies that offer a special type of wire coating that will protect wires from the insulation but this extra expense can negate the benefits of getting polystyrene insulation in the first place.

The truth is that polystyrene insulation is not always the best option but when electrical wiring isn’t an issue and you have a property that you want to insulate at low cost then using polystyrene can often provide a good level of insulation that’s reliable and sturdy.