Technical Info
Thermal Insulation
Insulation Choices With Octaform™ Concrete Forming System
Unlike other plastic forms, the OCTAFORM Concrete Forming System offers a choice of both the thermal insulation type and degree of insulation power to go into your formed concrete walls. When rigid thermal insulation boards are applied to the exterior of formed concrete walls, like it is with the OCTAFORM Concrete Forming System, the finished wall is highly thermally efficient For example, four inches of bare, poured concrete has a thermal resistance of just R0.32. If the same wall was formed with the OCTAFORM Concrete Forming System and 4 inches of polyisocyanurate insulation, the thermal resistance of the wall increases to R25.54, that’s almost an eighty-fold improvement. Other advantages of using the OCTAFORM Concrete Forming System and thermal insulation on the exterior of poured concrete walls are numerous:
- The protective layer of thermal insulation and OCTAFORM PVC water resisting panels protect the concrete wall from the damaging effects of moisture, mold, and burrowing pests.
- Exterior applied insulation allows the thermal mass of the concrete to dampen the effects of outdoor temperature fluctuations.
- Exterior insulation keeps the concrete wall at close to room temperature, reducing the potential for cracking under outside freeze-thaw temperature cycling.
- Dry, comfortable added living space.
- Moisture resistance – minimizes the potential of mold and mildew in your exterior walls.
- Added resale value of your building.
- Lower utility bills.
- Increased thermal efficiency – 3-4 year return on investment.
Whether you insulation choice is our economical expanded polystyrene insulation (R4 per inch), our water resistant extruded polystyrene insulation (R5 per inch) or our highest insulating choice polyisocyanurate insulation (R6 per inch), rest assured your construction investment will be well protected for years to come.
Insulation types:
Related Info:
Properties of Expanded Polystyrene EPS (Beadboard)
Features:
- High moisture perm rating (perms between 2 and 5).
- Water absorption between 2 and 4 percent.
- Compressive strengths between 5 psi and 25 psi.
- R-value of beadboard depends on density. R-3.1 to 4.2 per inch is common.
- Product Material Standards: CAN/ULC S701-01 types 1, 2 & 3; ASTM C-578.
Sustainability:
- Recyclable.
- No CFCs or HCFCs.
- Stable R-value in dry conditions.
Notes:
- Thicker product to achieve R-value standards.
- Water absorption high; loss of R-value in wet conditions.
- Low durability.
- Pentane used in manufacturing contributes to smog.
Properties of Extruded Polystyrene XPS
Features:
- High R-value, R-5.0 to 5.6 per inch.
- Highest resistance to water absorption – a consideration when used below grade or when subjected to moisture.
- Low perm rating, (typical perm 1.0).
- High operating temperature range - 165°F.
- Product Material Standards: CAN/ULC S701-01 types 2, 3 & 4; ASTM C-578 types IV, V, VI, VII, X.
Sustainability:
- High compressive strengths.
- Durability.
- Re-usable - No landfills.
- Recyclable - No landfills.
- Long term stable R-value.
- Highly moisture resistant-contributes to the reduction of mold & mildew.
Notes:
- Contains HCFC 142b, not HCFC 141b eliminated in 2003.
- Current blowing agent has reduced the ozone-depletion potential by over 93% and does not last as long in the atmosphere.
Properties of Polyisocyanurate ISO
Features:
- Highest R-Value per inch. (5.3 to 6.5).
- Highest operating temperature range - 190 °F.
- Poor resistance to moisture.
- Product Material Standards: CAN/ULC S704-01; ASTM C-1289.
Sustainability Features:
- High R-value toward optimizing energy.
- High durability.
Notes:
- Thermoset plastic - landfill after use.
- Non-reusable - if reused in recover applications, the material must be dry.
- Non-recyclable - however, research is being done on grinding the material.