What is geofoam insulation?

Geofoam – Structural Insulation InsulFoam® GF (EPS Geofoam) is a lightweight, geo-synthetic fill material used as an alternative to various fill-materials, as a soil stabilizer, and in various engineered applications.

What does EPS stand for geofoam?

Expanded Polystyrene
What Is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)? Expanded polystyrene, or EPS geofoam, is a cost-efficient insulation material used in the construction industry. It is extremely lightweight, but strong and durable.

How strong is geofoam?

One square inch of EPS geofoam can support 10 pounds even while compressed to 90% of its original thickness. One pound of EPS geofoam can sustain 3.5 pounds per square inch if you need to keep 1% or less deformation. Its durability and resistance to external damage are the results of its high compressive strength.

Is geofoam water resistant?

EPS is popular for roofing and foundation applications because it will absorb very little water, which is an advantage in geofoam applications as well. It will continue to insulate and protect even when completely submerged.

What is geofoam made of?

What is it made from? EPS Geofoam is made from a material called polystyrene polymer. This polystyrene resin “bead” is delivered in large containers and fed into a hopper for manufacturing. It is essentially a thermoplastic that can be shaped and reshaped repeatedly.

Where is geofoam used?

Geofoam is ideal for thermal insulation and can help reduce overall heating and air conditioning costs. It is often used to fill building walls and within roofing and ground structures for all types of residential and commercial buildings.

What weight can geofoam hold?

One square inch of Type I EPS can support 10 pounds; however, set a one square foot board on the foam and it can support 1,440 pounds.

How much does geofoam cost?

$55 to $100 per cubic yard
Recent cost estimates of geofoam vary from $55 to $100 per cubic yard, depending on a project’s required physical properties.

Is geofoam safe?

Geofoam is not biodegradable and once installed below surface there are no adverse effects on soil and groundwater quality. The manufacture of EPS geofoam does not involve use of gases that are known to be harmful to the environment.

Can you drive on geofoam?

A car weighs approximately 4,000lbs that’s 1,000 lbs per tire, one tire sits on about 6” X 8” or 48 square inches Type I EPS foam in 48 sq inches can support 480 lbs, however drive the car on to 2 sheets of 4 x 8 OSB, 2 tires on each, now 32 square feet of foam is supporting the ½ the car or 2000lbs, 32 X 144 = 4,608 …

What is Geofoam made of?

Is Geofoam porous?

Geofoam is a new porous light geo-material (e.g. cement treated soil with air foam) and has been widely employed to improve soft soil foundation of highway, airport and seaport, because of its light weight, low cost and high strength.