Using Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS)

Explore the many uses of expanded polystyrene foam
By Marjorie Gilbert Though the ubiquitous, and often annoying, use of EPS is packing peanuts, the material can be in so many more applications, from architectural to packaging and even art. Thanks to advances, expanded polystyrene foam is also recyclable--something important in this world of global warming.

Many US expanded polystyrene manufacturers create a wide range of EPS products. Expanded polystyrene manufacturers and EPS foam providers can provide you with product that you can use for several different purposes.

1. Insulate your home or business with EPS.

2. Protect and preserve with EPS packing materials.

3. Show off your artistic abilities with EPS.

Make buildings tighter with EPS

In times of high energy costs, many consider methods of making your house or building more energy efficient. EPS as an insulator is becoming more and more popular. This is mainly because of EPS's composition. EPS is comprised of many cells that don't connect, so air, or more importantly heat, isn't able to pass through. Using expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) against the foundation, the roof and walls helps to seal those areas more efficiently. According to an expanded polystyrene manufacturer, EPS insulation has R-value of 3.85 per inch. It also does not absorb much water, which means that it retains up to 97% thermal efficiency. This makes its application in roofs a great benefit.
Try:  Insulation Technology and PermaTherm are two EPS foam suppliers that manufacture EPS insulation. PermaTherm also manufactures Structural Insulated Panels. Both manufacturers also make other EPS foam products.

Protect shipped items with foam packing material

Part of the appeal of EPS is the ease with which the material can be formed. The EPS foam provider can form the EPS into any shape needed so it can protect any item, not matter the shape, so it arrives at its destination undamaged. The EPS foam manufacturer can make specialized packaging for fragile medical and scientific items or even AC units.
Try:  EPS foam suppliers Iowa EPS Products and Texas Foam are among many manufacturers who specialize in foam packing material.

Employ EPS in artistic ways

Thanks to the ease with which EPS can be shaped, architects are quick to use EPS in building projects. The shapes EPS can take seem limitless: crown moldings, cove moldings, deco band moldings and every conceivable architectural detail. Because EPS is easy to paint, the fact that the molding, or other details, are foam and not wood or stone isn't important. In fact, expanded polystyrene manufacturers use EPS to make convincing faux stone that, once coated with coating that contains cement, is difficult to distinguish from the real thing.
Try:  Califoam Products  and Architectural and Stone Crafters specialize in making architectural details and faux stone. As with most of the manufacturers featured, the companies make other EPS foam products.

• Contact the manufacturers of EPS if their catalogues do not include the specific EPS products you need. They would be willing to work with your to create something that would better meet your specifications.