The floor heating insulation layer plays a very important role in the floor heating system. At present, most of the insulation materials for underfloor heating are expanded polystyrene board (EPS board) and extruded polystyrene board (XPS board). However, for ordinary consumers, they are not familiar with these two types of insulation materials. From four perspectives, analyze the differences between these two types of insulation materials

1. In terms of insulation performance:

The insulation performance of EPS and XPS with the same thickness gradually increases. EPS is 0.041, XPS is 0.030. Therefore, when achieving the same insulation effect, XPS board has a thinner thickness than EPS board, but the price of pure board XPS board is higher than EPS board.

2. Strength:

The strength pointed out here should be the tensile strength, and there is an absolute relationship between the unit weight of polystyrene board and the tensile strength. Generally, the tensile strength of EPS with a unit weight of 18Kg/m3 is 110~120KPa, and that of 20Kg/m3 is around 140KPa. The bulk density of XPS normally ranges from 25Kg to 45Kg, and the strength ranges from 150KPa to 700KPa or higher. (Provided that the thermal conductivity coefficient is around 0.03).

3. Weathering resistance:

Weathering resistance refers to the adaptability of insulation systems to external weather changes, which refers to a series of quality related issues such as the overall stability of the system and whether there are changes in insulation effects under different climatic conditions. Weathering resistance is a very important indicator of insulation systems.

Due to the higher water absorption of EPS board compared to XPS, its weather resistance is not as good as XPS system. But the ductility of EPS board is better than XPS board, which can overcome certain defects. However, in terms of the system, the outer layer of the thin plastering system also has a certain waterproof ability. Except during the construction process, the waterproof performance of both intact systems is acceptable. The contact between rainwater on the exterior wall and the wall is vertical, and as long as the surface mortar does not crack, waterproofing is not a problem.

In addition, wind pressure resistance is also an important aspect of weather resistance, as the more cavity the system has, the poorer its wind pressure resistance. So the key depends on the size of the bonding area between the entire insulation system and the base layer. There are no issues with the XPS system and EPS system at this point.

4. Bond strength:

For thin plastering system, this indicator will directly affect the use of plates. EPS plates have low strength and shear strength is also low. The destruction of plates may not occur on the bonding surface, but in the middle of the plates. The good strength performance of XPS is more reassuring. The tensile strength of 0.1MPa is equivalent to a force of 10 tons per square meter, which is very large.