The Difference Between Blue And Pink Foam Board Products
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There are generally two types of foam board products available in the market today, pink and blue foam boards. They are both manufactured using polystyrene resin and perform virtually in a similar manner. They have an insulating R value of 5 per inch of thickness. The main distinction between these two foam board colors is that they are available in the market and recognized in different brand names.
Main Difference Between Pink And Blue Foam Boards
If you are looking for an insulation panel that offers adequate protection and energy savings, you can choose the pink or blue foam boards. Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company. The boards are marketed under different brand names. You’ve probably heard of the Styrofoam SM insulation products, this is simply a brand name for the blue foam boards. The pink foam boards are available in the market using different brand names including Propink, Insulpink and Thermapink which are all products from Owens Corning.
When To Use Blue Foam Products
Blue foam boards come with thin plastic films which protect the polystyrene core and also enhance the strength of the board. It’s no wonder they are commonly used for insulation on the exterior walls. There are blue foam boards that are designed for interior walls. Most of them have features such as notches at the edges for ease of installation. These foam board products can also be used for reroofing. They come in various types including high density foam boards which are able to resist compression when applied below heavy concrete slabs.
Pink Foam Boards And Their Uses
There are also numerous varieties of pink foam boards available in the market today. There are those designed for interior walls whereas others work best on exterior walls. Pink foam boards can also be used beneath concrete slabs, roofs or foundation walls. When used for foundation wall insulation, the pink boards usually have drainage channels on the surface and a simple filtration system that prevents soil from clogging the drainage. Pink boards can also be used to provide insulation in applications where there’s a tight connection between the board and the adjacent surface.
Expanded Polystyrene Insulation
Pink and blue foam boards are two types of extruded polystyrene insulation products. There are also expanded polystyrene insulation products which are far less costly than the pink and blue foam boards. The major drawback to these expanded foam boards is that they are very fragile and have a lower insulating power. If you are looking for an effective insulator, opt for the pink and blue extruded foam boards. You may also choose ISO panels (Polyisocyanurate panels) which are better insulators compared to the pink and blue foam boards. However, the cost much more than the extruded polystyrene boards.