Thermal insulation foams have been on the market for a long time and are widely used in homes and businesses. Apart from collaborating to maintain a stable temperature inside the house, regardless of the temperature outside; It is a very effective element when applying acoustic insulation. Jobs are quite versatile and flexible, so it’s no wonder they’re used in many types of constructions.

On the other hand, it should be noted that there are several types of foams for thermal and acoustic insulation. Its categorization may depend on its composition, or the general uses it is given. If you are thinking of including this solution in your company, it is important to know which one can best adapt to your needs.

The three main types of foams for thermal insulation

At present, mainly depending on the use, three types of foams for thermal insulation can be highlighted. It is the foam for polyurethane insulation, plus two categories of polystyrene, expanded and extruded. Next, we take care of describing the compositions of each and in which situations they are most effective.

Polyurethane thermal insulation foam

This foam type for thermal insulation arises from the chemical reaction of polyol and isocyanate. It is a foam that is applied by spray on those surfaces where we want to create the effect of insulation. It is due to this form of application and function that it is sometimes also called sprayed polyurethane. However, it must be considered that, depending on the type of foam, the surface and the equipment available; application method may vary.

The use of this type of foam for thermal insulation is quite varied; being able to serve to cover roofs, walls, floors, in the waterproofing of cracks, to retard the action of fire and for the repair of roofs. It is considered one of the most efficient available and its use is widespread both in Europe and in other parts of the world. Some of the advantages it offers is that it is versatile, resistant to air and helps reduce humidity.

Polyurethane can also be used in the form of a panel that can be integrated into buildings or serve directly as a construction element, such as facades or roofs or the cold rooms themselves. It can also be used with specific forms for its use than ventilation or cooling ducts.

Expanded polystyrene thermal insulation foam

This is one of the types of foams for thermal insulation that you have surely already observed before in your daily life. It is a material similar to plastic, but with a spongy texture. It is quite light and cheap, so you can find it available for various functions. However, its main use is in construction as a solution for thermal insulation.

Despite being a fragile element, the truth is that it has many advantages. One of the main ones is its ease of placement. Thanks to its low weight, it saves a lot of time and effort when installing it. In addition, it can be manufactured in much larger sizes than other types of insulation, it helps to cushion any impact, it is highly durable, and it does not get mold or rot over time.

Extruded polystyrene

To finish with the best-known types of foams for thermal insulation, we have extruded polystyrene. It is very similar to expanded polystyrene, with the main difference that it offers better thermal insulation and is more resistant. This is one of the most popular for walls, floors, ceilings and constructions.

This foam type for thermal insulation shares many advantages with those of expanded polystyrene. One of the most outstanding is its high resistance to frost and compression, thanks to its high density and resistance to humidity. In addition, it is one of the most powerful thermal and acoustic insulators on this list. Finally, it is a non-biological material, so it does not break down or deteriorate easily.