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
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
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
If a flat roof forms part of a building’s thermal envelope as well as providing car parking then it is necessary to specify an insulated car park deck. This means choosing a thermal insulation product capable of meeting the energy efficiency requirements of national building regulations and bearing the loads imposed by vehicular traffic. Any … Read more
Polyfoam XPS, the Hartlepool-based manufacturer of extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation, has a new production line to help meet rising demand for the company’s products. Significant financial investment, coupled with over two years of planning, installation and commissioning, means the factory will now have two lines producing thermal insulation for the construction industry and other specialist … Read more
Inverted roof construction places unique demands on the components within the build-up, and the insulation layer specifically. For specifiers and installers of inverted roofs, it is essential to have full confidence that the chosen insulation has been fully assessed against those demands. Otherwise, there is a risk of under-performance: not just thermally, but in terms … Read more
The inclusion of water flow reducing layers (WFRLs) in inverted flat roof build-ups is so widely accepted that it might surprise people to realise they are, in fact, an optional component of the roof system. However, such is the effectiveness of a WFRL in that system that the membrane’s removal from a specification would significantly … Read more
