To Order
Call: 410.825.8300 Fax: 410.825.5050
Ordering Minimum: $250 per order
STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation and Foam versus
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
STYROFOAM ™ is often used to refer to expanded polystyrene even though the materials are completely different.
STYROFOAM ™ is a registered trademark of the Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. The trademark covers a full range of extruded polystyrene building products used primarily for insulation of floors, walls and roof systems. The insulation panels are commonly referred to as “blue board” in the construction industry.1
Dow Chemical’s STYROFOAM ™ Brand Foam also covers a full range of foam products for the floral, craft and special events industries. These products are available in sheets, blocks, spheres, cones and many other shapes. They are available to the consumer from major craft and floral retailers throughout the country.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), is the generic industry name for a white rigid material made by expanding polystyrene beads with steam and bonding the beads together under pressure in a block or shape mold. EPS is used in the construction industry for insulation and void fill. It is also used in a variety of packaging applications including coolers, wine shippers, molded end caps and corners. It can be cut into an unlimited variety of shapes.
Universal Foam Products sells expanded polystyrene (EPS) as well as STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation for construction and STYROFOAM ™ Brand Foam products for the floral, craft and special events industries. EPS is shipped from over 80 different manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation and STYROFOAM ™ Brand Foam products are also shipped from several different locations.
Packaging
Sheets
EPS can be precut into sheets or blocks of almost any thickness, length and width to fill in packaging voids. It is one of the most economical materials available to keep your product stable or to help protect if from damage. STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation is also available in stock sheet sizes
Angles
Custom angles are wire cut from large EPS blocks so they do not require any up-front tooling costs. They can be cut to any size to protect your product
Molded Corners
Molded corners are available in a variety of stock sizes with wall thickness from ½” to 1-1/2”. Custom corners can also be produced but require upfront tooling.
Custom Molded End Caps
EPS can be custom molded to fit almost any application. End caps protect electronics, glass and other fragile components. Custom molded EPS fits your product perfectly to eliminate any movement and reduce the possibility of shipping damage.
Carton Liners
Carton liners are the most common use of EPS for packaging applications. Six panels are sized to snuggly line a corrugated carton. For non-food items the liners provide cushion protection from rough handling. When shipping refrigerated or frozen food, EPS carton liners will keep your food items cold longer. With the addition of dry ice or gel packs ship time can be extended by 24 to 48 hours.
Custom Shapes
EPS can be wire cut into a variety of shapes without requiring special tooling. Shapes are contoured to fit the product being shipped to hold it firmly in place during transit.
Coolers
Molded coolers are available in a large variety of stock sizes from locations around the country. Some ship in corrugated cartons, others are available with cartons shipped separately or without any cartons. Coolers have wall thickness from 5/8” to over 2” in some locations with 1-1/2” being the most popular wall thickness. They are very effective in keeping food cold or hot.
Wine Shippers
Shippers of expanded polystyrene are the safest method to ship your wines. Wine shippers hold the bottles snuggly in place and the EPS protects the glass from breakage. They will even slow down the change of temperature. Wine shippers are available for a single bottle to a full case of 12 bottles.
Bottle Shipper
Wine isn’t the only liquid that ships in a bottle. Everything from bottled water to olive oil gets shipped in EPS bottle shippers. Ship from 1 bottle to 12.
Glass Jar Shippers
EPS shippers can economically protect everything from jams to sauces. Custom shippers are wire cut without any up-front tooling costs. They can be provided in relatively small quantities for new start-up ventures.
Construction
Rigid Insulation
Because EPS (expanded polystyrene) is mostly air, it makes an excellent insulator. The thousands of air pockets create an effective and economical thermal barrier. EPS is very stable and maintains almost 100% of its original R-Value over time.
Slab Insulation
STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation and EPS are the best under slab insulation materials. With compression strengths ranging from 10 psi to 60 psi for EPS and from 25 psi to 100 psi for STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation, any floor load requirements can be accommodated.
Wall Insulation
Both EPS and STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation are commonly used as part of the EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finish System) wall system. The sheets are installed on the exterior of the building instead of being installed within the wall cavity and the foam is coated with a multiple applications to provide a durable synthetic stucco finish. Other coatings resembling stone and marble are now also available.
In areas in the south that have been routinely hit by flooding during recent years, EPS is also being used as insulation between wall studs. Unlike fiberglass insulation that has normally been used for that application, EPS and STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation will not hold moisture and create mildew and mold requiring that all of the insulation be removed after flooding.
Roof Insulation
STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation and EPS make excellent roofing insulation. EPS is routinely used for commercial roof insulation on flat roofs where pieces can be tapered to any shape and size required to provide proper drainage. EPS is also used in large industrial buildings, sized to fit between trusses.
Another common roofing application is in log cabins and post and beam construction where EPS panels are installed over tongue and groove pine ceiling material and then overlaid with OSB or plywood prior to the installation of shingles.
Sound Deadening
EPS is used in a variety of sound deadening application such as machine shops, kennels and recording studios. The panels can be coated with a fire retardant material or covered with a class “A” finish to meet building code requirements.
Architectural Shapes
Crown Molding
For exterior application where the crown molding is part of an EIFS system, EPS is the material to be used. It can be cut into any profile required. Because EPS has a textured finish when cut it is not ideal for interior moldings unless they are to be coated with a textured or self-leveling coating.
Columns
EPS columns can be straight or tapered, smooth or fluted. Bases and capitals are available in an unlimited variety of sizes and configurations. The columns can be for aesthetics only can be delivered in two halves to be installed around a structural column.
EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System)
One of the most popular residential and commercial building exteriors over the past 40 years is synthetic stucco. STYROFOAM ™ Brand Insulation and EPS are both used as substrates for this multi-layered wall system.
Typical installation consists of EPS secured to the exterior sheathing using adhesive or mechanical fasteners, a durable base coat of Portland cement reinforced with fiberglass mesh, and a finish coat of a synthetic stucco material.
Floor Leveling
When converting a movie theater to retail space, the fastest and most economical method to level the floor is to use pre-cut and tapered blocks of EPS to fill in the space. The concrete slab is then poured directly over the level EPS finishing the floor.
Stadium Seating
When a multi-tiered floor is required and weight reduction is a consideration, EPS is used to build the layers. The floor is then formed up along the front edge and concrete is poured to cover the EPS.
Tilt Up Walls
EPS is the material of choice among concrete companies building tilt-up wall panels. The walls are poured horizontally using EPS to block out for windows, doors, and mechanical penetrations. After the concrete sets up the EPS panels are easily removed.
GeoFoam
Green Roof Landscaping
An architectural requirement in new multifamily and office construction in many jurisdictions is the use of Green Roof systems with grass, gardens and even small trees planted on the roof of multi story buildings creating a park like environment. This is typically accomplished by using EPS blocks to build up the surface, create slopes and block out for planters. EPS is stable, environmentally friendly and available in a variety of compression strengths to meet the structural requirements of the project.
Void Fill
Large blocks of EPS are commonly used in geo-technical applications. EPS is lightweight, stable, distributes load evenly and is an excellent insulator. It installs more rapidly than other materials, providing a lower in-ground cost than other materials that were commonly used in the past.
Retaining Walls and Bridge Abutments
When lateral loads need to be reduced; EPS is the logical material for the job. Available in blocks up to 24’ long in some parts of the country, EPS blocks act as a buffer between the earth and the wall or abutment. Through the use of EPS, the lateral loads are greatly reduced, allowing for vertical wall construction with reduced tiebacks.
Manufacturing
Garage Door Filler
EPS panels can be delivered in any required sizes for the construction of residential and commercial garage doors. The panels are lightweight and provide excellent insulation properties.
Exterior Door Insulation
Most steel doors are constructed of an EPS inner core wrapped with a steel outer skin. Other popular materials are fiberglass and wood veneer.
Walk in Coolers and Freezer
EPS is used as an insulating core in the construction of walk-in boxes. Besides providing the required R-Value the material also increases the impact resistance of the aluminum finish.
Flotation
Floating Docks
EPS will float in excess of 55 pounds of weight per cubic foot of material. It is commonly used to float wooden docks and platforms. The EPS can be painted with marine grade paint over a latex primer or can be left uncoated if local authorities allow.
Encapsulated Float Drums
Where authorities require flotation to be encapsulated, float drums are provided. Float drums are available with a mounting flange for easy attachment to the dock.
Theatrical Sets & Props
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the most versatile materials available. Easily shaped, durable and strong, it’s also lightweight and bonds instantly with paint. Whether you need a complete set for your next theatre production or a complex stage prop, EPS should be your material of choice.
Miscellaneous
Indoor Pitcher’s Mound
If you want to keep your pitchers practicing indoors during the winter, build them an indoor pitcher’s mound using 2# density EPS contoured to regulation dimensions and cover it with Astroturf or carpet.
Cake Blanks
If you need to make a mock up wedding cake for display purposes, use EPS blocks to create the layers. Material will be delivered, cut to size and ready to cover. They can be washed and reused at a later date. STYROFOAM ™ Brand Foam is also available in stock sizes for cake blanks.
Sculpting Blocks
EPS is the preferred sculpting medium for many artists. It is lightweight, easy to work with and is available in very large blocks.
EPS Pricing
EPS Pricing Calculator
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R-Values Calculator
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Need a Custom Shape?
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