Styrofoam is a brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), manufactured to provide continuous building insulation board used in walls, roofs, and foundations as thermal insulation and as a water barrier.
Since its invention in 1941, Styrofoam™ Brand extruded polystyrene (XPS) has built a rich, storied heritage as an innovative, sustainable building product – creating an entire insulation material category.
Styrofoam™ is a trademarked brand of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam used mainly for building insulation, while many everyday “foam” products are expanded polystyrene (EPS) or other plastics that only look similar.
Styrofoam is a material that has become ubiquitous in everyday life, from food containers and packaging materials to insulation panels in construction. Despite its widespread use, many people are unaware of what Styrofoam actually is, how it’s made, and why it is so versatile.
If you’re interested in insulating with STYROFOAM, note that STYROFOAM insulation is a type of extruded insulation. Polyisocyanurate is another option, coming in as the densest and most expensive option for foam board.
STYROFOAM™ is a registered trademark of the DuPont Chemical Company (“DuPont”) or an affiliated company of DuPont. The trademark covers a full range of extruded polystyrene building products used primarily for insulation of floors, walls and roof systems.
Styrofoam is created through a process of expanding small polystyrene beads by adding heat, which causes the material to puff up and form a solid, closed-cell foam structure. This structure gives Styrofoam its characteristic light weight, rigidity, and ability to insulate.