The Best Rigid Foam Insulation Product
InSoFast EPS continuous insulation panels eliminate the potential for thermal bridging and provide superb durability, energy efficiency and moisture resistance in a cost-effective product. Could InSoFast contribute to your next new or retrofit construction project?
Differences Between Rigid Foam Insulation Products
There are three types of rigid foam insulation – polyisocyanurate (ISO), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and expanded polystyrene (EPS) – and each has different performance attributes.
- ISO insulation is primarily used in roofing applications. The panels provide up to R-6.5 per inch of thickness but degrade slightly over time. Their R-Value rating is determined at the mean temperature of 75 degrees and loses R-Value as the temperature drops. ISO panels performance is temperature dependent. ISO panels are expensive, do not have an environmentally friendly manufacturing process, and cannot be recycled.
- XPS insulation is mostly used in walls and below grade applications. XPS panels provide about R-5 per inch of thickness, but the hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent leaks out over time, depletes the ozone and the R-Value degrade slightly over time. XPS panels are recyclable, and fall between ISO and EPS in cost, but XPS absorbs moisture than other insulations over time.
- EPS insulation, like InSoFast, has the highest average R-value per dollar of the rigid foams (about R-4.6 per inch) and the R-value does not degrade over time. EPS is the most versatile of the rigid foam insulations because you can use it anywhere in the building envelope, inside and outside, from roofs to walls to floors, and even below grade.
About Thermal Bridging
A thermal bridge occurs when a penetration of the insulating layer takes place along your walls, allowing heat and cold to pass through undisturbed. With fiberglass and wood framing, each wood stud represents a thermal short circuit where moisture-filled, heat-transferring air can pass through the barrier. The stud area accounts for 15% to 25% of the wall surface and significantly reduces the R-value of the fiberglass.
The integrated, non-conductive polypropylene studs in InSoFast panels are fully encapsulated by the insulating material and eliminate the potential for thermal bridging to occur. Interlocking grooves also create a tight seal at the intersection of each panel.
InSoFast Insulation Panels
The InSoFast UX 2.0 panel is 2-inches thick with a flat surface that exposes the face of the embedded studs. The continuous R-value of 8.5 outperforms traditionally framed R-13 batt walls. The UX 2.0 panel is sufficient for most interior applications.
The InSoFast EXi 2.5 panel (with electrical raceways) and the InSoFast EXe 2.5 panel (without electrical raceways) are 2 ½-inches thick. Both sides feature ORSC, Section R703.1.1-approved rain screen and drainage technology on both sides. Their continuous R-value of 10 outperforms traditionally framed R-15 batt walls.
It’s easy to increase your R-Value beyond R-10 code minimums while maintaining the engineered benefits of continuous InSoFast panels. Use either UX 2.0 or EX 2.5 panels over the base panels to develop an InSoFast PLUS wall, which gives you the ability to go from R-8.5 to R-21.
InSoFast, LLC, established in 2006, manufactures closed-cell, injection-molded EPS foam insulation panels that have become the preferred DIY insulation method.
Edward Scherrer, President of InSoFast, has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He worked with continuous exterior sheet insulation and Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) before developing InSoFast continuous insulation panels to simplify on-site installation for contractors and homeowners.
Call InSoFast today at (888) 501-7899 to learn more about our thermal insulation panels. We love to answer your insulation questions!
