Insulation materials

EPS in the UK

Be Constructive gets through a huge quantity of insulation materials and it is very important for us that not only is our work energy saving, but also that the carbon we produce is kept to a minimum. As a company specialising in low carbon technology, it is important that the product we use are actually as sustainable as possible and offer the customer not just a carbon saving solution, but a low carbon installation process as well.

Sourcing EPS with EWI Pro

Expanded polystyrene is a really bulky product – you can fill a whole truck with it and it will only weigh a few hundred kilograms. It is also quite low value – it is the cheapest part of the insulation system as a whole. Many companies will source their EPS from abroad, but EWI Pro, our favoured system designer, decided that there was a better way.

They now work closely with a UK based EPS manufacturer to produce the insulation materials here in the UK. That means less transport costs, less carbon emissions as a result of the transportation, and quicker delivery for larger orders direct to site.

Making EPS with minimal waste

EPS is made from small pellets which are heated and expanded to create the low density insulation boards. This process is really efficient because there is almost zero waste in the process. The only wastage is where an odd thickness of insulation is required which may result in some offcuts.

UK EPS means UK Quality

Using British EPS is great not only for the UK economy, but also because we can be much more certain of the quality of the final product. All the EPS manufactured under the EWI Pro name is made in accordance with British Standard BS EN13163:2012. This standard means that you can be sure the EPS we use on your walls is of excellent quality, fit for purpose, and that the insulation has the insulating performance.

Is EPS bad for the environment?

EPS is very inert, meaning that it will not react with anything at a dump or in the outside environment. This does not mean that you should not dispose of EPS carefully, but it is relatively less harmful to the environment than many other insulation and building materials. EPS can also be recycled, where many other building products cannot.

Is Rockwool better than EPS?

It really depends on the job you have as to which is better. We use a lot of EPS because it is cheaper, and needs less thickness to achieve the same u-value as rockwool. However, Rockwool is great for breathability and to reduce street noise, whereas EPS has no effect on this. We recommend carefully discussing your requirements with one of our surveyors and understanding whether Rockwool would add any benefit for your installation. We are happy to provide a quote for both options to allow you to decide the best course of action for your property.