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
Polyfoam XPS is proud to have supported the achievement of an important milestone at the £35 million Highlight leisure development. Currently under construction and sited within Hartlepool’s marina, Highlight now has a completed roof – just months after a ceremony marked the erection of the building’s structural steel frame. Working closely with trusted roof waterproofing … Read more
In any good double act, success depends on the interaction between both partners. Even when one plays more of a leading role, it doesn’t mean they could be successful by themselves. The less-heralded of the two is still making an essential contribution, and the quality of the overall performance relies on how they play off … Read more
Polyfoam XPS, the Hartlepool-based manufacturer of extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation, is once again exhibiting at Futurebuild. Having first exhibited in 2023, the company is pleased to be returning to the event and sharing its latest developments with the sustainability-conscious audience. The 2025 edition of Futurebuild takes place from March 4th to 6th at ExCel in … 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
“What makes a responsible construction product manufacturer?” asks Gary Ferguson, Polyfoam XPS’s Business Development Manager for the North and Scotland. Clearly communicated values. Good quality product information. Comprehensive specification and sales support. Transparency and responsiveness. All of those things, and more, contribute to a manufacturer feeling more like a collaborative partner than simply a product … Read more
Thermal insulation only performs as well as it is installed. The best specified floor, wall or roof means nothing if what happens on site doesn’t correlate with what was designed. It’s not enough for insulation to simply be present within the construction: it must be calculated correctly, fitted as tightly as possible, and continuous from … Read more
