Log in Contact InsulfoamFind Insulfoam Rep Insulation Comparison Rigid-foam insulation packs a lot of R-value into a thin package, but not all rigid foam performs the same. Choose rigid insulation wisely, and consider the effect its characteristics will have on the performance of the your project, overall product cost, and the best way to get the bang for your buck. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) •The most versatile of the three rigid insulation options •Used in Roof, Wall, Floor, Below Grade & Structural GeoFoam applications •Used most widely in insulated concrete forms and structural insulated panels •Highest average R-value per dollar (about 4.6 R per inch) – costs the least, while meeting or exceeding all required building and energy codes •Approved for ground contact, below grade applications and can be treated to resist insects •Does not retain water over the long term •Should be used over house wrap, or with a product that incorporates a factory laminated option •Available faced or unfaced •Faced products are considered vapor retardant and specialty products are considered vapor barriers •Warrant 100% of R-value over the long term since does not degrade over time Extruded polystyrene (XPS) •Easily recognized by its blue, green, or pink color •Falls in the middle of the three types of rigid-foam insulation in both cost and R-value •Used most in walls or below grade applications •Recyclable, and at about R-5 per inch, costs around 42¢ per sq. ft. for a 1-in.-thick 4×8 panel •Comes unfaced or with a number of different plastic facings •Unfaced 1-in.-thick has a perm rating around 1, making it semipermeable •Thicker and faced is stronger and can have a lower perm rating •Considered a vapor retarder, not a vapor barrier •Absorbs more moisture than other insulation over the long term, and as a result its warranty doesn’t honor R-value retention over the long haul Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso, ISO) •Most often used in roofing applications •Average cost of 70¢ per sq. ft. for a 1-in.-thick panel (may vary based on region) •Standard R-Value of R 5.8 per inch •The manufacturing process starts with liquid foam •Not recyclable •Has to be sprayed against a substrate to form a rigid panel, so all ISO panels are faced •Different facings affect the performance of the panel in both durability and perm rating •Foil-faced panels are considered impermeable (because applying these products as sheathing creates an exterior vapor barrier, they never should be used with an interior vapor barrier) •More permeable panels are faced with fiberglass and can be used without creating a vapor barrier Download our EPS vs XPS Sell Sheet Insulfoam EPS Rigid Foam Insulation With an in house technical division, regional project managers and nation-wide sales consultants, if you would like more building project specific data, we are here to help your project best meet its insulation needs…. please contact us! ABOUT INSULFOAM – LEADER IN EPS INSULATION Insulfoam is a division of Carlisle Construction Materials, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carlisle Companies (NYSE: CSL), and is the nation's largest manufacturer of block-molded expanded polystyrene (EPS). For over 50 years, Insulfoam has been enabling building professionals to construct high-quality building insulation systems at a minimal cost. With the widest range of faced, laminated and standard high-performance EPS insulation products Insulfoam has the right products for your needs while still providing the highest R-Value per dollar over any other rigid insulation. RECENT POSTS Your Top 4 Questions About EPS Wall Insulation, Answered EPS: the practical roof insulation solution for residential projects Which type of insulation is right for your home? From top to bottom: DIY insulation shores up homes’ energy drains How EPS Performs as Below-Grade Insulation GET IN TOUCH Insulfoam Corporate Headquarters 19727 57th Avenue East Puyallup, WA 98387 Contact Us: Click here to contact the Insulfoam location near you. To receive insulation and Insulfoam updates, join our email list INDUSTRY AFFILIATION Search products, applications, and blogs: Log in Copyright 2021 Insulfoam Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Site Map | Insulnet