The Best Rigid Insulation for an Exterior Closet
When you are building a house with an exterior closet, choosing the best insulation is important. Insulation is especially necessary on exterior walls, as it helps to envelope the warm or cool air generated by your furnace or air conditioner, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. One of the best kinds of insulation for exterior walls is rigid foam insulation. It is easy to install, has an excellent R value. However, not all rigid foam insulation is the same. Does this Spark an idea?
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Extruded, Expanded, Polystyrene Foam Board Insulation
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Extruded, expanded, polystyrene foam board is one of the best kinds of rigid foam insulation for exterior walls. It is made by liquefying polystyrene pellets in chemicals, then blowing air into the liquid to create air bubbles. After the bubbles form, the mixture is inserted into a shaping die and dried. The result is a dense, closed-cell rigid insulation that has an R value of 5.
Molded, Expanded, Polystyrene Foam Board Insulation
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Molded, expanded, polystyrene foam board is formed by a polystyrene beads and liquid pentane mixture, which is combined with a blowing agent. This is then poured into a container and heated to make it expand. The material can be formed to various thicknesses, with R values that range from 3.8 to 4.4. While it is a good insulator, molded expanded polystyrene foam board is not as effective as extruded expanded polystyrene foam board, for insulating an exterior closet.
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Polyisocyanurate Foam Board Insulation
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Polyisocyanurate foam board is a closed-cell, rigid insulation that has a high R value from 5.8 to 8, depending on the thickness. Because of the high compressive strength, you can use a thinner board than extruded, expanded, polystyrene foam board. It also has a wide range of temperatures in which it is effective: -1OO degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Polyurethane Foam Board
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This material is similar to polyisocyanurate foam board in that it has a R value of 5 to 8. It also is effective from -1OO degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
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