External wall thermal insulation material: which is better, foam board or extruded board

In the selection of building external wall insulation materials, foam board and extruded board are two common options. They each have unique performance and characteristics, so when choosing, it is necessary to consider actual needs and conditions comprehensively. The following will compare the performance of foam board and extruded board to help you make a more intelligent choice.

Characteristics of foam board

Foam board, also known as polystyrene foam board, has good thermal insulation performance and can effectively reduce building energy consumption. Its relatively low price and easy construction make it widely used in many construction projects. However, the compressive strength of foam board is low, it is easy to be deformed by moisture, and it is easy to burn at high temperature, which has certain potential safety hazards.

Characteristics of extruded polystyrene board

Extruded polystyrene board, also known as polystyrene extruded polystyrene board, is a closed cell structural material formed by high-temperature extrusion. It has excellent thermal insulation performance, high compressive strength, good moisture resistance, and is not easily deformed. In addition, the fire resistance of extruded polystyrene board is also good, reaching the B1 level fire protection standard. However, the price of extruded board is relatively high, and the construction difficulty is slightly greater than that of foam board.

comparative analysis

Thermal insulation performance: both foam board and extruded board have good thermal insulation performance, but the thermal insulation effect of extruded board is slightly better.

Compressive strength and moisture-proof performance: Extruded board is obviously superior to foam board in compressive strength and moisture-proof performance, and is more suitable for high-rise buildings and humid environments.

Fire resistance: the extruded board has good fire resistance, while the foam board is easy to burn at high temperature, which has potential safety hazards.

Price and construction difficulty: foam board is cheap and easy to construct, while extruded board is expensive and slightly difficult to construct.

To sum up, foam board and extruded board have their own advantages and disadvantages. When making a choice, it should be balanced based on actual needs, budget, and construction conditions. For high-rise buildings, humid environments, and occasions with high requirements for fire resistance, it is recommended to prioritize the use of extruded polystyrene boards; For occasions with limited budget and simple construction conditions, foam board is also a good choice.