As a business or organisation in the construction industry, it is one thing to say that you hold certain values or behave in certain ways. It is a different thing entirely to live by those values and demonstrate chosen standards of behaviour every day. When our sector is open and collaborative, it is better-placed to … Read more
One of the main applications for extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation is flat roofing. In particular, XPS’s performance characteristics mean it is one of the few insulation types specifically stated as being suitable for inverted flat roof build-ups. With that in mind, we have compiled this long blog post looking in-depth at the following five aspects … Read more
Specifiers and installers who regularly research construction products will be familiar with certain commonly-used words and phrases. Sometimes, these words and phrases are applied generically across a large range of products. Other times, they may be specific to a certain type of product – like thermal insulation – or used in a specific way depending … Read more
There is no reason that extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation cannot play a role in the construction industry’s transition from the linear economy to the circular economy. XPS’s combination of performance characteristics – including its robustness, compressive strength, moisture resistance, and long-term thermal performance – mean it has the potential to be retained or reused across … Read more
In construction projects, sustainability should be defined through clear project outcomes. At a basic level, this means achieving compliance with national building regulations, including energy efficiency requirements. However, there are a host of other factors relating to broader sustainability that go beyond energy use and carbon emissions. A project may go further in reducing energy … Read more
Polyfoam XPS’s factory in Hartlepool has been the site of extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturing for more than forty years. Over that time, the business has built up a wealth of knowledge about insulation production (much of which informed the commissioning of our new production line) and building construction. Among Polyfoam’s workforce are people who have … Read more
The RIBA Plan of Work is arguably the most common approach to describing the various stages of construction projects in the UK. The Plan of Work is a framework for architects, primarily; as it has evolved, however, it has become an industry-wide tool. As a framework for projects, the Plan of Work is designed to … Read more
Five years ago, the Covid pandemic made home working a necessity for many. In the frequent debate over what hybrid working arrangements should look like, some people consistently bang the drum for employees working only from the office. In this very personal post, Rob Firman (Technical and Specification Manager) reflects on a moment of family … Read more
Four years and two months ago, Polyfoam XPS hit publish on the first issue of an email newsletter called The Build-Up. Our aim with the newsletter has never changed: support designers, specifiers and installers to deliver a better built environment. We do that by providing interesting and actionable information, useful resources, and sharing news articles … Read more
The construction industry is not known for sitting still, and 2025 promises to be no different. Important regulations and standards are in the process of being updated, impacting specifiers and installers alike. Meanwhile, it will be another year of growth for Polyfoam XPS. Building on our new website and new production line (commissioned in time … Read more
