Comparison Data Sheet - 'R' Values of Rigid Board Insulation
Compares the R-values, which indicate thermal resistance, of various rigid board insulation materials at different thicknesses. It includes data for Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Rigid Polyurethane (RPU) across multiple thicknesses ranging from 10 mm to 50 mm.
Content article
This article presents a detailed comparison of the 'R' values of various rigid board insulation materials, focusing on their thermal resistance at specified thicknesses ranging from 10 mm to 300 mm.
Foam Sales offers a selection of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) products, including the SL Grade at 13 kg/m³, which has an R' value of 0.25 at 10 mm thickness, increasing to 3.75 at 150 mm. The EPS VH & VVHX38 Grade, which weighs between 28 kg/m³ and 38 kg/m³, shows an R' value of 0.29 at 10 mm and reaches 4.41 at 150 mm. The EPS VH at 28 kg/m³ has similar values, starting at 0.29 for 10 mm and also achieving 4.35 at 150 mm.
In contrast, the Saviro XPS Blue Board, weighing between 32 kg/m³ and 36 kg/m³, begins with an R' value of 0.36 at 10 mm and rises to 5.36 at 150 mm. Rigid Polyurethane (RPU) at 35 kg/m³ shows a significant increase in thermal resistance, starting at 0.43 for 10 mm and reaching an impressive 6.52 at 150 mm. Polyisocyanurate (PIR) at 50 kg/m³ starts with an R' value of 0.46 at 10 mm and achieves 6.97 at 150 mm. Finally, Phenolic Foam at 55 kg/m³ has an R' value of 0.46 at 10 mm, rising to 6.97 at 150 mm as well.
As the thickness increases, all materials demonstrate a consistent increase in thermal resistance. For instance, at 100 mm thickness, the EPS SL Grade achieves an R' value of 2.50, while the EPS VH & VVHX38 Grade reaches 2.94, and the Saviro XPS Blue Board achieves 3.57. The RPU shows a notable value of 4.35, whereas the PIR and Phenolic Foam reach 4.64.
Thermal conductivity values at 23°C vary across these materials, with EPS SL Grade having a thermal conductivity of 0.040 W/m.K, while the EPS VH & VVHX38 Grade and EPS VH both have a lower conductivity of 0.034 W/m.K. The Saviro XPS Blue Board has a thermal conductivity of 0.030 W/m.K, indicating its efficiency, while RPU stands out with a low conductivity of 0.023 W/m.K. The PIR and Phenolic Foam both have a thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/m.K, which contributes to their high thermal resistance.
For architectural and building plans, the specification names for these insulation materials include Foam Sales' EPS Expanded Polystyrene SL Grade 13 kg/m³, EPS Expanded Polystyrene VH Grade 28 kg/m³, Saviro XPS Blue Board 32-36 kg/m³, Rigid Polyurethane Board (RPU) 35 kg/m³, Polyisocyanurate Board (PIR) 50 kg/m³, and Phenolic Foam Board 55 kg/m³.
This comparison highlights the diverse range of options available for rigid board insulation, showcasing their varying thermal resistances and thermal conductivities across different thicknesses, essential for making informed choices in insulation materials.