What is Polystyrene Insulation and What are its Advantages?

Heating bills are certainly not getting any cheaper and with so many people feeling the pinch in different areas of their lives, it’s no surprise that home insulation has become a very popular way to cut down on heating bills. 

Insulating your home can help you save a good deal of money on heating bills since it essentially prevents heat from escaping through the walls during the winter and therefore reduces your need to heat your home. It also helps to keep your home cool in the winter since it blocks any heat from entering. 

There are many different types of insulation available, including fiberglass, expanding foam and polystyrene. Polystyrene insulation has become increasingly popular thanks to its relatively easy installation and reliable performance.

Below is a guide to polystyrene insulation, including the different types that are available as well as its advantages and downsides. 

About Polystyrene Insulation 

Polystyrene insulation can be used in both commercial and domestic properties and has some unique benefits that make it such a popular choice. Not only is it effective at keeping a property well insulated but it also helps to reduce noise. Also the fact that it’s waterproof means it lasts a long time – making it an excellent choice for almost any type of property. 

Types

Below are the two main types of polystyrene insulation – 

• Expanded polystyrene insulation – Expanded polystyrene is the cheapest option but also the least desirable in most cases. The reason for this is because it’s formed by pockets that are filled with air, it’s not a particularly effective insulator. 

• Extruded polystyrene insulation – Extruded polystyrene insulator costs more but is also a much better insulator. It is formed by combining solid polystyrene crystals with additives, both of which are then melted. The resulting liquid material can then be moulded and once it’s cooled, can be shaped and cut as required. The insulation you get from using extruded polystyrene is very smooth and reliable – making it preferable to many other types of insulation. It can also be shaped in many different ways, including foam sheets, blocks and concrete mould. 

Downsides

Using polystyrene insulation does come with some downsides. Because it is flammable, it has to be chemically treated before it can be used as insulation. This adds to the overall cost. Also the fact that it is water resistant means that moisture can accumulate in the walls where it’s used. 

The cost can be seen as the biggest downside of using polystyrene insulation. The materials used to produce it are not cheap by any means and the process used to manufacture and treat polystyrene insulation means that it can end up costing significantly more to use in comparison to alternative insulation materials. 

That being said, polystyrene insulation should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense. Whilst it may cost more to install initially, the benefits that you get from it – whether it’s for a commercial or domestic property – far outweigh the expense and will provide excellent cooling and heating properties for years to come.