
Polystyrene foam sheets are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, from insulation to crafting.
They are lightweight and easy to cut, making them a great choice for DIY projects.
Their thermal insulation properties make them an excellent material for building insulation, reducing heat loss and energy bills.
Polystyrene foam sheets can be molded into various shapes and designs, allowing for creative freedom in crafting and art projects.
Benefits and Advantages
Polystyrene foam sheets are incredibly versatile, making them a popular choice for various applications. They're lightweight and durable, which makes them easy to handle.
One of the benefits of polystyrene foam sheets is that they're 100% recyclable, reducing waste and the environmental impact of construction projects. This is a significant advantage over other materials.
Polystyrene foam sheets retain their structural integrity, ensuring long-term R-values, which is essential for insulation and energy efficiency. This means they can withstand various environmental conditions without compromising their performance.
Here are some of the key benefits of polystyrene foam sheets:
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Durable
- 100% recyclable
- Retains structural integrity
- Cost-effective
- Easy to handle
- Excellent thermal capabilities
- Acoustic benefits
- Low moisture absorption
These benefits make polystyrene foam sheets an attractive option for various applications, from construction to signage.
Why Choose Polystyrene Foam?
Polystyrene foam sheets are a popular choice for crafting and DIY projects because they are incredibly versatile.
They come in a variety of thicknesses, ranging from 1/8 inch to 4 inches, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. This includes creating custom signs, decorative items, and even architectural models.
The sheets can be easily cut and shaped using a craft knife or a hot wire cutter, allowing for precise control over the final product.
They are also relatively inexpensive compared to other materials, making them a budget-friendly option for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Their lightweight and buoyant properties make them ideal for creating prototypes and models that need to be handled and transported with ease.
Product Information
Polystyrene foam sheets are incredibly versatile, and one of the most important things to consider is their physical properties. They come in a range of sizes, from 300mm to 1200mm in width, 1200mm to 5000mm in length, and 10mm to 600mm in thickness.
You can choose from a variety of classes, including L, SL, S, M, H, VH, VHH32, VHH36, and VHH38, each with its own unique characteristics. The compressive stress at 10% deformation, for example, ranges from 50kPa to 350kPa, depending on the class.
One of the key benefits of polystyrene foam sheets is their dimensional stability. They can withstand temperature changes without significant expansion or contraction, making them ideal for applications where precision is crucial.
The rate of vapour transmission, on the other hand, varies depending on the class. It can range from 220μg/m2.s to 710μg/m2.s, with some classes being more suitable for applications where moisture is a concern.
Here's a breakdown of the physical properties for each class:
The other properties of polystyrene foam sheets are also worth considering. Their density, for example, ranges from 11kg/m3 to 38kg/m3, depending on the class.
Applications and Uses
Polystyrene foam sheets are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of applications. They're ideal for insulation or creative projects.
StyroSheet EPS sheets are a top choice for industries that require durable and long-lasting materials. They're safe to handle and contain no CFC.
Polystyrene foam sheets are an efficient and economical insulation solution for commercial and residential buildings. They can be used on steel stud, timber stud, concrete, and masonry structures.
Ideal for Insulation or Creative Applications
Polystyrene foam is a versatile material that's ideal for both insulation and creative applications. It's durable and long-lasting, making it a great choice for various industries.
Expanded polystyrene sheets, like StyroSheet EPS, are manufactured in Australia and are renowned for their excellent thermal performance and strength-to-weight ratio. This makes them perfect for metal cladding using Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS).
Polystyrene foam is also safe to handle, easy to install, and contains no CFC. Plus, it's 100% recyclable, which is great for the environment.
For creative applications, polystyrene foam sheets can be used for custom signage, foam board signage, retail displays, and even theatre props. They're highly versatile and an economical solution for many projects.
When cutting polystyrene solid foam, a thermic saw or Styrofix is the best tool to use. You can also use a cutter if you're careful to hold the blade flat, or a band saw or circular saw with a special blade.
Polystyrene foam can be coloured using acrylic or dispersion dyes, PLAKA colours, toning pigments, or polystyrene compatible paints. Always make a preliminary test to ensure the colouring material works well with the foam.
For spray painting, use Marabu or Aerodecor sprays, or an airbrush if you have one. Remember to spray from a distance and apply multiple thin layers of paint, rather than trying to colour the entire surface at once.
More Than Meets
EPS foam allows the intrusion of water over time, which can lead to damage and degradation.
The closed-cell structure of Styrofoam Brand XPS Insulation is designed to withstand the elements and the test of time, making it a reliable choice for buildings.

XPS foam absorbs significantly less water than EPS products, which is a major advantage in applications where moisture is a concern.
In freeze/thaw conditions, absorbed water can cause damage to EPS foam, but XPS foam maintains its R-value better than EPS when water is present.
This means that XPS foam can continue to provide effective insulation even in harsh conditions, making it a better choice for outdoor applications.
Hot Tub Covers
Hot Tub Covers are a must-have for any hot tub or jacuzzi owner. They help keep the heat in and the cold out, making your soaking experience even more enjoyable.
Polystyrene Foam is an excellent choice for hot tub covers due to its superior R-value, which makes it a great insulator. This means it's perfect for keeping the heat inside your hot tub.
You can get a Polystyrene Foam hot tub cover in various sizes, including 96" x 48" x 3.5", which tapers to 2". This size is specifically designed for hot tubs and jacuzzis.
Low-GWP, Low Embodied Carbon

Styrofoam Brand XPS Insulation has been around since 1941, and its unique closed-cell structure and rigid foam board technology make it a reliable choice for meeting thermal, moisture, air, and vapor performance requirements.
It's impressive to note that in 2019, DuPont began reformulating Styrofoam Brand XPS Insulation to offer a low global warming potential (GWP) version, which was completed by the end of 2023.
All North American manufacturing sites now produce a low-GWP formulation, identifiable by its new grey color.
Low-GWP Styrofoam Brand XPS Insulation boasts a 94% reduction in embodied carbon, meeting all HFC regulations and building codes.
It continues to offer the same long-term value and durability as its predecessor.
This new formulation is a significant step towards sustainability, making it a great option for those looking for eco-friendly polystyrene foam sheets.
Brands and Products
There are several popular brands of polystyrene foam sheets available in the market.
INFINITY is a high-end styrene-faced foam board from the Gilman Brothers Company that is 100% UV resistant.
ULTRA BOARD is a heavy-duty, all-plastic panel that features a litho-grade, high-impact polystyrene surface perfect for screen printing and digital printing.
GATORPLAST is a high-performance product from 3A composites made of extruded polystyrene foam material bonded between two layers of high-impact polystyrene cap sheets.
INFINITY foam board is bendable, printable, moisture resistant, and lightweight, making it perfect for screen printing, shipping, and displays.
ULTRA BOARD is designed primarily for interior use and is favored for its durability.
GATORPLAST is lightweight and water-resistant, and its smooth, high-impact facers resist warping and allow for repositionable vinyl graphics.
The INFINITY board is also 100% recyclable and manufactured in the USA.
Styrene-Faced Board at Piedmont Plastics
At Piedmont Plastics, you can shop for a variety of styrene-faced foam board materials from top brands. INFINITY is a UV resistant foam board made from high-end styrene foam that's 100% recyclable and manufactured in the USA.
This foam board is bendable, printable, moisture resistant, and lightweight, making it perfect for screen printing, shipping, and displays. The INFINITY board is also 100% recyclable and manufactured in the USA.

ULTRA BOARD is a heavy-duty, all-plastic panel with a litho-grade, high-impact polystyrene surface ideal for screen printing and digital printing. It's designed primarily for interior use and is favored for its durability.
The dent-resistant styrene liners of ULTRA BOARD are secured to the foam center with a remarkable bond that keeps the panel flat and rigid. The ULTRA BOARD surface does not allow moisture to penetrate, so inks and paints stand out vividly for screen-printed or painted images.
GATORPLAST is a high-performance product made of extruded polystyrene foam material bonded between two layers of high-impact polystyrene cap sheets. The plastic facers of GATORPLAST showcase vibrant colors and vivid images, making it ideal for digital printing applications.
GATORPLAST is also lightweight and water-resistant, and its smooth, high-impact facers resist warping and allow for repositionable vinyl graphics.
Sources
- http://www.usafoam.com/closedcellfoam/polystyrene.html
- https://www.foamex.com.au/products/styroboard-eps/styrosheet
- https://www.modulor.de/en/plates/rigid-foam-sheets/polystyrene-rigid-foam-sheets/
- https://www.piedmontplastics.com/products/styrene-faced-foam-sheet
- https://www.dupont.com/building/styrofoam.html
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