STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation
MANUFACTURER The Dow Chemical Company
Dow Building Solutions
PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation is an extruded polystyrene
board that meets the needs of the
commercial foundation and building
floor slab market. This insulation
can also be used for attics,
foundations/slabs and crawl
spaces in residential applications.
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square
Edge Insulation has more than 60
years of proven performance in wet
environments. The closed-cell
structure of STYROFOAM™ Brand
Square Edge Insulation resists water
pickup, enabling it to retain a high
R-value* over time – a necessary
property in wet, below-grade
commercial foundation applications.
BASIC USE
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation helps protect foundation
damp-proofing and waterproofing,
especially during backfilling. It also
provides a secondary barrier against
groundwater leakage. With
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation, freeze-thaw cycling of
the foundation wall is minimized,
reducing the potential for cracking.
And a warmer foundation can reduce
the potential for condensation.
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square
Edge Insulation can be used against
commercial interior walls and exterior
foundation walls in above- and
below-grade applications.
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation can be used under the
slab or over the deck or subfloor.
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation is suitable for use in
pervious, semi-pervious and
practically impervious soils.
SIZES
Square Edge
Width and length:
2' x 8' and 4' x 8'
Thickness:
.75", 1", 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3", 4"
Not all product sizes are available in
all parts of the country. Contact
your local Dow representative for
details.
TECHNICAL DATA
APPLICABLE STANDARDS
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation meets ASTM C578 –
Standard Specification for Rigid
Cellular Polystyrene Thermal
Insulation. Applicable standards
include:
- C518 – Standard Test Method for
Steady-State Thermal
Transmission Properties by
Means of the Heat Flow Meter
Apparatus
- D1621 – Standard Test Method
for Compressive Properties of
Rigid Cellular Plastics
- E96 – Standard Test Methods for
Water Vapor Transmission of
Materials
- D696 – Standard Test Method for
Coefficient of Linear Thermal
Expansion of Plastics Between
-30°C and 30°C with a Vitreous
Silica Dilatometer
- C203 – Standard Test Methods
for Breaking Load and Flexural
Properties of Block-Type Thermal
Insulation
- D2126 – Standard Test Method
for Response of Rigid Cellular
Plastics to Thermal and Humid
Aging
- C272 – Standard Test Method for
Water Absorption of Core
Materials for Structural Sandwich
Constructions
CODE COMPLIANCE
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation complies with the
following codes:
- International Residential Code
(IRC) and International Building
Code (IBC); see
ICC-ES NES NER-699,
BOCA-ES RR 21-02
- Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
(UL) Classified, see Classification
Certificate D369
- Factory Mutual Approved –
Subject to conditions of approval
as a roof insulation when installed
as described in the current edition
of the FM Approval Guide
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation exhibits the physical
properties indicated in Table 1
when tested as represented.
TABLE 1: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF STYROFOAM™ BRAND
SQUARE EDGE INSULATION
| PROPERTY AND TEST METHOD |
VALUE |
Thermal Resistance(1) per inch, ASTM C518, ft2•h•°F/Btu, R-value, min.
@ 75°F mean temp.
@ 40°F mean temp.
@ 25°F mean temp. |
5.0
5.4
5.6 |
| Compressive Strength(2), ASTM D1621, psi, min. |
25 |
| Water Absorption, ASTM C272, % by volume, max. |
0.1 |
| Water Vapor Permeance(3), ASTM E96, perm, max. |
1.1 |
| Maximum Use Temperature, °F |
165 |
| Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion, ASTM D696, in/in•°F |
3.5 x 10-5 |
| Flexural Strength, ASTM C203, psi, min. |
50 |
(1) R-values are consistent with criteria of ASTM C578 and the requirements of the FTC R-value rule (16 CFR Part 460).
(2) Vertical compressive strength is measured at 10 percent deformation or at yield, whichever occurs first.
(3) Based on 1" thickness. |
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation is reusable in many
applications.
FIRE PROTECTION
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation is combustible; protect
from high heat sources. A protective
barrier or thermal barrier may be
required as specified in the local
building codes. For more information,
consult MSDS, call Dow at
1-866-583-BLUE (2583) or contact
your local building inspector.
INSTALLATION
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation boards are easy to handle,
cut using a utility knife or serrated
blade, and install. The square edge
boards are designed to ensure
energy efficiency and minimize
on-site cutting and waste. Use a
polystyrene-compatible adhesive to
hold the boards in place during
backfilling. Apply caulk or mastic to
the top of the board to prevent
water infiltration behind the
insulation. To complete the installation,
parge the above-grade portions of
STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge
Insulation to protect from solar
radiation.
It is recommended that any
masonry irregularities or jagged
surfaces on the foundation
wall or slab be removed prior to
installation. Below-grade walls
should be protected from moisture
leakage and dampness prior to
installation of STYROFOAM™ Brand
Square Edge Insulation. Codeapproved
drainage systems should
be installed. Ensure foundation
drainage meets local codes.
Visit www.dowbuildingsolutions.com
or contact a local Dow representative
for more specific instructions. |
