Why rigid polystyrene insulation is the perfect choice under concrete floors

February 15, 2023
Uncategorized

Energy efficiency is important in a new home or workplace, and changes to the Building Code will no doubt help the New Zealand Construction Industry to build warmer, drier places for kiwis to live. But how do you adhere to changes without dramatically increasing floor levels and client budgets by doubling up on Insulation? The simple answer is Expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS).

Insulating under concrete slabs with rigid polystyrene insulation is a highly effective way to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency in a building. Concrete slabs are known for their high thermal mass, which means that they can absorb and retain large amounts of heat. This makes them an ideal surface for insulation, regulating the temperature inside the building and reducing the amount of energy required to heat or cool it. In fact, without insulation up to 10% of heat loss from a building is through the concrete slab.

In this blog, we’ll go over the benefits of insulating under concrete slabs with EXPOL’s New Generation SLABX200 product. Delivering an uncompromised compressive strength of 200kPa @10% deformation this product is the perfect choice for residential and commercial projects for the following reasons:

High water resistance: The rigid nature of this insulation means that water will not permeate the insulation and seep up into the property.

Lightweight and easy to handle: The air-filled lightweight nature of Expanded Polystyrene makes it easy to transport around the building site and install quickly.

Sustainable: SLABX 200 can be easily recycled at the end of its life making it perfect for a sustainable building project.

Various thicknesses: The perfect fit for any project SLABX 200 is available in sheet lengths of 2400mm by 1200 mm and various thicknesses from 50mm to 600mm. R Value at 100mm is R 3.00 helping you meet the new building code requirements.

Durability and Longevity: Expanded polystyrene board is a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand the weight of the concrete slab and the impact of heavy foot traffic. This makes it an ideal choice for insulating under concrete slabs in high-traffic areas, such as a basement or a garage. It will not degrade over time like other insulation products.

Price: SLABX200 is manufactured in New Zealand making it the significantly cheaper alternative to XPS which is an imported product.

Environmental Sustainability: Insulating your home with rigid polystyrene insulation helps reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it an environmentally-friendly choice.

EXPOL SLABX200 truly has been engineered to lead the way in the future of Concrete Slab insulation. The perfect choice for the future of building projects nationwide.

How much do I need to specify?

To see how EXPOL Concrete Floor Insulation products are integrated into the new Building Code Changes due to be introduced 1 May 2023 check out the EXPOL Floor/Slab Insulation Calculator. The easy way to calculate how much SLABX200 you will need on your project.