EPS Foam sheets for garage

[pfarber]

I have a 24x40 steel garage and the EPS 4x8x1 sheets are $10 vs $15 for XPS sheets.

Has anyone run into any REAL water issues with the EPS foam? Its the same stuff they make coolers out of and they hold up pretty well.

With the price difference being 30%+ and the same R-value I'm thinking of EPS as the more economic choice.... unless someone has a real, definite reason (aka photos) that intermittent condensation will rot EPS foam.

 

[toyotadriver]

I'm not sure how you plan to use them but if they are protected from contact type damage, they should be fine.

If the foam needs to have some resistance to compression, then you should go with XPS.

 

[pfarber]

From reading posts here it seems that the EPS sheets were somehow susceptible to becoming water logged sponges if condensate gets on them.

I plan on spot gluing them to the steel wall.... so there should be some airflow between the metal and foam.

 

[toyotadriver]

I would say most likely they will be fine. I would want a bit more than one inch though.

 

[Highbeam]

Total wive's tale. The manufacturer of EPS rates their product for the same compressive strength as XPS. I used 25 psi EPS under my slab. The manufacturer of EPS rates their prodcut for use under slabs and in contact with moisture. I have seen huge blocks of EPS buried in the soil used as "lightweight" fill over gas mains or for railroad crossings where settlement is a big problem. We then built a roadway over it.

EPS does degrade or "rot" when exposed to UV and also when impacted with a hammer it feels easier to break apart but this is not how anyone should plan to use foam.

Enjoy the incredible cost savings of sticking with EPS. The real question is, why on earth would anyone spend extra for XPS? R-value is the same, strength the same, cuts just as easy, both made for underslabs, etc.

 

[toyotadriver]

It depends on the compression rating of the EPS. Most of the EPS that you can find would be the type with a low compression rating.

 

[Highbeam]

Not so. Look at the label. When I actually looked I found that Home depot foam is all 15 psi whether it is pink or white.

 

[toyotadriver]

Not so. Look at the label. When I actually looked I found that Home depot foam is all 15 psi whether it is pink or white.

Not where I'm at. You can get both 15 and 25 XPS at Home Depot where I am.

I don't know what the EPS compression ratings are around here but they are all unlabeled so I don't know. Based on how it compresses when I press on it, I doubt that the EPS compression rating is as high as the XPS.

I'm sure you can get higher compression EPS but it's not on any shelves where I live.

 

[cabman]

Menards has 4x8x1 EPS R4 for $4.99 on sale thru 11-18-12 it would be hard to beat at that price. That being said I used the 25psi XPS under my headed slab.
http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/panels/r4-1-x-4-x-8-expanded-polystyrene-insulation/p-1474292-c-5779.htm

 

[jvitez]

http://www.plastifab.com/homeowners/buildinghome/plastispan_duro/radiant_floor.html

Plastispan is a Canuck expanded polystyrene product which is approved for use underslab.

 

[Deltarat]

Menards has 4x8x1 EPS R4 for $4.99 on sale thru 11-18-12 it would be hard to beat at that price. That being said I used the 25psi XPS under my headed slab.
http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/panels/r4-1-x-4-x-8-expanded-polystyrene-insulation/p-1474292-c-5779.htm

That sounds like a great price.I have been looking for some to add to the insulation in my ceiling. We don't have one here in Ms., but I will be near one the week after next after the sale is over. Story of my life.

 

[cabman]

That sounds like a great price.I have been looking for some to add to the insulation in my ceiling. We don't have one here in Ms., but I will be near one the week after next after the sale is over. Story of my life.

You could call the store and see if they will give you a rain check at that price, I have had good luck in the past with that at Menards on larger orders. Just make sure that you have a good way it to get it home as many times I have seen those EPS sheets broken in half by a gust of wind as someone was trying to strap them to the roof of the SUV.

 

[Deltarat]

We will be in 2 trucks. I need 60 sheets. I was thinking 30 sheets per truck with a sheet of plywood on top and strapped down.

 

[Highbeam]

We will be in 2 trucks. I need 60 sheets. I was thinking 30 sheets per truck with a sheet of plywood on top and strapped down.

Foam travels well. Just strap it down like you mean it. This is me with 2" EPS 25 psi straight from the factory.

 

[rburke65]

I am installing the EPS foam sheets right now in my new shop.

 

[mdale]

any pics of eps installs? How well would it hold up to being nailed to the bottom of a roof line?

 

[Highbeam]

It is used almost exclusively in large roofing installs here in WA, that is, they don't roof with the XPS. Not nailed up but flat roof applications with a membrane above.

 

[mdale]

Any pics of eps installs on pole barn ceilings or walls?

 

[rburke65]

My new shop is 32'x56 with 13'+ ceilings. I made a "hot wire" cutter to cut my 4'x8'x2 1/2" sheets of styrofoam. Stuffed the 2"x6" studs. That left me with a 3" cavity and I have hired a local company to finish the remainder of the cavity with R-13 kraft faced Fiberglas. I also cut and stuffed the sheets into the bottom cord of the truss, will start my plastic sheeting vapor barrier tomorrow....Thank God......when I get the steel ceiling liner, the local insulating co. will them blow my attic with R-30 fiberglass. My styrofoam was free....I like free.....I had 225 sheets. I think I have 30 left. Attic was $900 and walls were $550...... $1450 with tax, out the door. Hell, my cost was $430 for the R-13 alone and that isn't getting it home, or staples. It would take a few trips to tote 40 rolls. It wasn't worth me doing it.

 

[got2lb]

Ok so I've been doing a lot of lurking on here trying to get some ideas for my new garage.

We're building a new house and I will have a 36x35 attached garage. The house and garage will both have radiant floor heat pex put into the concrete to be hooked up at a later date.

I've been reading up on the extruded vs. expanded debate. And for the cost savings the expanded is definitely a huge plus!

I just want to make sure I'm looking at the right stuff. Would this be appropriate to use under my slab?

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...d-polystyrene-insulation/p-1934680-c-5779.htm

Thanks!

 

[Highbeam]

The menards ad does not provide all of the specifications. It is most desirable to have the 25 psi stuff which matches the XPS but even the lower density 15 psi EPS is sufficient, you'll just need to be more careful when you're walking on it before the pour.

Concrete only weighs 0.5 psi and once it is in place acts to distribute loads very well so the 15 psi foam is sufficient for normal loads. Oddly, even 15 psi stuff is stronger than most soils under the foam.

I used 2" EPS under my slab. I bought, from the factory, 25 psi EPS for a small additional cost over 15 psi stuff.

 

[bfarroo]

Has anyone found out the specifics on the Menards or Home Depot EPS foam? I see the 2" 4x8 sheets of EPS at Home Depot for $12 or so a sheet versus 28 for 25 PSI XPS. I got a quote from a local EPS foam manufacturer for 15 and 25 PSI. They quoted me 15.35 for 15 PSI and 20.42 for 25. This is quite a bit cheaper than XPS but not as cheap as the EPS at Home Depot. I couldn't find anyone that knew any specifics on it so I'm going to stop in there this weekend.

 

[got2lb]

I actually contacted the manufacturer of the foam I linked to at Menards and they told me that it wasn't a suitable product for using under a slab. It has too much regrind in it and wasn't rated for that kind of load.

 

[bfarroo]

That's what I was thinking. The local manufacturer supplies the ESP for light fill in construction. They sell up to 6 foot thick blocks and it's all designed for in ground insulation. I guess I need to decide if I'm going to go with the 15 or 25. I figure I'll need about 175 sheets so 5 dollars a sheet adds up.

 

[StupidSheet]

Bringing back an old thread.

So who has used this with success?

This thread has a lot of different views on what insulation to use. I have searched and read many different threads and still am unclear on what to use.

I was looking at these 2 products.
http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...50-rigid-foam-insulation/p-1384801-c-5779.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...50-rigid-foam-insulation/p-1384803-c-5779.htm

I need more insight PLEASE!

 

[rburke65]

Well let's do a little math here, shall we.....At 15 psi, a square foot....144sq. in......That's 2160 lbs. a square foot. What in the he'll are you placing on your floor that weighs that much. Spend your money anyway you like......

 

[Highbeam]

Well let's do a little math here, shall we.....At 15 psi, a square foot....144sq. in......That's 2160 lbs. a square foot. What in the he'll are you placing on your floor that weighs that much. Spend your money anyway you like......

Pretty much. The concrete only weighs 0.5 psi and the concrete is rigid so it distributed the weight of, say, a tire over many square feet.

If you choose not to use EPS, do it for a reason other that strength. That's a foolish reason. What other reasons are there? Why would you use a more expensive material like XPS? The burdon of proof is on the XPS.

 

[StupidSheet]

Pretty much. The concrete only weighs 0.5 psi and the concrete is rigid so it distributed the weight of, say, a tire over many square feet.

If you choose not to use EPS, do it for a reason other that strength. That's a foolish reason. What other reasons are there? Why would you use a more expensive material like XPS? The burdon of proof is on the XPS.

I spent a good part of the weekend online looking through Home Depot and some other stores and can't seem to find the one you used or anything even close to it. I guess I will try going into the store and seeing if I can find it in person.

 

[Highbeam]

You couldn't find regular insulfoam/carlisle Expanded Poly Stryrene (EPS)? The stuff is white, looks and feels like the old styrofoam, and I have touched it at home depot though it is the 15 psi flavor. I ordered and picked mine up in the 25 psi flavor with no facing from the factory. I figured that the extra strength couldn't hurt.

 

[SiGmA_X]

I spent a good part of the weekend online looking through Home Depot and some other stores and can't seem to find the one you used or anything even close to it. I guess I will try going into the store and seeing if I can find it in person.

This is 13psi EPS (cite), found on *the first* search I did of HD's site... R-Tech 2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. which is $20.37 a sheet in Portland, OR as well as Oak Harbor, WA.

 

[StupidSheet]

This is 13psi EPS (cite), found on *the first* search I did of HD's site... R-Tech 2 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. which is $20.37 a sheet in Portland, OR as well as Oak Harbor, WA.

Thanks but I'm in Canada and was trying to find something local. I may make a trip to North Dakota and pick some up at Menards. Still looking.

 

[SiGmA_X]

Thanks but I'm in Canada and was trying to find something local. I may make a trip to North Dakota and pick some up at Menards. Still looking.

Oh shoot, I missed that part! I bet the selection is different up there... But I'd expect you'd have MORE selection frankly, more demand for slab insulation and all?

Have you seen if there is a semi-local manufacture? I'm guessing you already did and struck out. Best of luck sir.

Edit: What about this stuff? PlastiSpan HD EPS Rigid Insulation 96Inch X 24Inch X 3 for $22.65/ea. 16psi (cite) and sold near (ish) to you!

 

[StupidSheet]

Oh shoot, I missed that part! I bet the selection is different up there... But I'd expect you'd have MORE selection frankly, more demand for slab insulation and all?

Have you seen if there is a semi-local manufacture? I'm guessing you already did and struck out. Best of luck sir.

Edit: What about this stuff? PlastiSpan HD EPS Rigid Insulation 96Inch X 24Inch X 3 for $22.65/ea. 16psi (cite) and sold near (ish) to you!

Yes thanks, that's the stuff I found as well. I was kind've looking for feedback for someone that may have used it. It's either that or drive south to grab some at Menards.