As the name suggests, cavity wall insulation involves injecting materials into the walls using special equipment. The insulation materials installers commonly use include mineral wool, polystyrene beads, and polyurethane foam. Yet, polystyrene beads have been the most common choice in the past few years.
So, you’re probably wondering, what makes these beads a better option? And are there downsides to using them?
This article serves as a cavity wall insulation polystyrene beads guide that will help you make the right decision for your home. It also highlights some problems you might face and a few factors you need to consider.
Let’s jump into the details right away.
How Do Polystyrene Beads Work?
To better understand the capabilities of this type of insulation, you first need to learn how it works.
Your installer will start by drilling small holes into your exterior walls. Then, expanded polystyrene beads and a binding agent or adhesive material will be injected into those holes. The binding agent allows the beads to stick together, creating an effective insulation layer inside your walls.
Although it sounds like a typical DIY task, it’s a highly complex process. So, you shouldn’t attempt the installation on your own. You should hire a professional, certified installer to do it for you – and you can find one of those through us right here at Insulation Advisor.
Expanded vs. Extruded Polystyrene Beads
There are two types of polystyrene beads that are used in home insulation: Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS).
Let’s take a look at how each one works.
1. EPS
At first, polystyrene is fed into moulds to create tiny beads. Then, heat or steam is applied to the mould, leading to the expansion of the beads, hence the name.
After expanding, the beads fuse, creating an insulating layer with tiny, irregular gaps.
2. XPS
XPS manufacturing includes an extrusion process where plastic resin is combined with other additives. Then the extruded foam is allowed to expand into its final shape.
The result is a closed-cell structure with high insulation properties.
What Makes Polystyrene Beads a Great Option
Polystyrene beads are the most popular cavity wall insulation material these days. Here’s why you should consider using them:
1. Ease of Installation and Flowability
The slightest mistake in the installation process can lead to many problems with your insulation. For example, if the insulation material is insufficient or uneven, you’ll end up with cold spots in your wall.
These cold spots act like bridges, attracting moisture into your house. In turn, that might cause mould and damp patches on your walls.
However, polystyrene beads are forgiving and much easier to install. That’s because they’re small and can reach awkward areas without having to drill multiple holes in your walls.
In turn, there’ll be less patching to do after insulation. More importantly, you’ll end up with an even insulation layer.
2. Durable and Lightweight
The problem with other insulation materials is that they might cause structural damage to your house. It can happen due to the high-pressure injection process or the weight of the material.
Luckily, these beads are slightly lightweight while still being durable. Yet, this doesn’t eliminate the chances of structural damage. So, it’s best to consult a surveyor or an engineer to make sure your house is suitable for this method.
3. Low Moisture Absorption
The tiniest crack in the exterior wall allows moisture to reach the insulation. In turn, the materials will absorb the water and lose a lot of their insulating properties.
Not only that, but the damp materials may act like a bridge, allowing moisture to reach the inside of your house. So, you might end up with peeling wallpaper and damp patches. It can even cause black mould, which may lead to serious health issues for you and your family.
On the bright side, EPS beads don’t absorb moisture as much as other insulating materials. When installed correctly, these beads create flawless insulation with the help of the bonding agent, making it relatively water resistant.
When moisture makes its way into the insulation, it won’t be able to penetrate it. Therefore, it’ll probably dry out before the beads absorb it.
4. Better Insulation Properties
EPS beads are more efficient than other insulation materials. These beads will fill your wall cavities at a consistent density.
This insulation method will minimise heat loss and help you save money on energy bills. In addition, polystyrene insulation improves the U-value of any room by up to 70%. This is around 20% more effective than traditional fibre insulation!
With a λ-value of 0.034 to 0.040, you can count on EPS beads to keep your house warm. This λ-value puts it between polyurethane and mineral wool in terms of its effectiveness.
Things to Consider Before Installing Polystyrene Beads
Unfortunately, EPS cavity wall insulation isn’t perfect. There are some things you need to consider before installing this material inside your walls.
1. Poor Installation Can Do More Harm Than Good
While polystyrene beads are more forgiving than other insulating materials, installation mistakes might cause various issues.
These mistakes can be anything from insufficient bonding material to improper injection, leading to cold spots and structural damage.
The problem is that, in some cases, the beads might lose some of their insulation and water resistance properties.
Luckily, you can avoid this issue by finding a reputable installer. Work with Insulation Advisor to find trusted, local insulation installers near you.
2. The Cavity Must Be Spacious and Clean
Wall cavities tend to get dirty and gritty over time. Unfortunately, installing EPS in a dirty cavity might lead to inadequate insulation.
So, you must make sure the installer cleans the cavities or hires someone to do so before the EPS installation. This process might be costly, depending on the state of the cavity, but it’s essential to insulate your house properly.
In addition, the cavity should be at least 50mm wide to be suitable for this kind of insulation.
3. Gaps Can Still Happen
Although EPS beads have high flowability, gaps might still happen for many reasons. For example, the bonding agent can wear down, and the beads may pull away from the crevices.
In turn, the insulation will allow heat to escape.
How to Avoid EPS Problems
Don’t fret! You can avoid the issues we’ve mentioned by following these steps:
1. Make Sure Your House Is Suitable
The first thing to do is find out if your house is suitable for cavity wall insulation. Ideally, you want to hire a surveyor to assess the property. It might be costly, but it’ll save you a lot of time and effort, not to mention how you’ll avoid various problems in the future.
The surveyor will typically analyse the property’s structure. Then, they’ll assess the house’s ability to withstand polystyrene beads as cavity wall insulation.
In addition, they’ll check the property’s exposure to heavy wind and rainfall, which can affect your insulation.
2. Hire a Certified Installer
Effective cavity wall insulation starts with finding a certified, reputable installer. Ideally, you should be looking for an installer who offers a guarantee for their work.
The best thing you can do to ensure you find the perfect certified installer is work with us at Insulation Advisor. We carry out all the comparisons for you to ensure we find only the most reputable and trusted insulation installers in your area, and then we can put you in touch with them to get started. With our help, you’ll be able to find the best insulation contractors in your area!
3. Keep an Eye Out for Any Alarming Signs
The problem with cavity wall insulation is that any issue might take a few years to come to light. So, you should make it a habit to check on your exterior and interior walls every once in a while.
Here’s a list of some alarming signs:
- Mould
- Damaged brickwork
- Cracks
- Dampness patches
- Condensation on the wall
- Heat loss
- Falling wallpaper
What to Do When the Polystyrene Beads Insulation Fails
If you spot any of the signs we’ve mentioned, contact your installer as soon as possible. The earlier you contact them, the easier it will be to fix the issue.
Typically, the installer will ask you a few questions to assess the situation and schedule a visit to your property. If the issue occurs due to inappropriate installation, a verified installer will be obligated to fix it.
But what happens when the company that carried out the installation process refuses to help?
Well, this is where a CIGA (Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency) guarantee comes in handy. You can contact the organisation, and they’ll help solve the issue under the terms of the guarantee.
You can even report any verified installer that refuses to fix installation issues.
In the case that your insulation installer isn’t a member of CIGA, check the paperwork to see if it includes an independent guarantee. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to hire another company to carry out the repairs. Although it won’t be cheap, it’ll save your property from any further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are polystyrene beads toxic to humans?
No. Polystyrene beads are non-toxic and non-irritant. They’re completely safe to handle.
2. How long do EPS beads last?
When installed properly with high-quality binding material, EPS beads can last a lifetime. In perfect conditions, they won’t lose any performance over time and will remain effective as long as the walls are intact.
3. Is EPS insulation worth it?
Yes. EPS insulation can keep your house warm and help you save energy. You’ll also be reducing your carbon footprint and cutting down on your heating bills.
4. Is polystyrene insulation suitable for all houses?
Unfortunately, not every house is suitable for this kind of insulation. If your walls are more than 12 meters high or less than 40mm wide, you should consider other insulation methods.
In addition, filling large walls with beads won’t be easy. You might end up with cold spots and gaps that lead to annoying issues.
More importantly, the walls must be free of any damage. Otherwise, moisture will easily reach the insulation.
5. How much does polystyrene insulation cost?
Installation costs can vary depending on the size of your home and the company that carries out the process. Generally, polystyrene insulation will save money in the long term.
You should be able to make back the installation cost in around five years with the money you’ll save on energy bills.
Cavity Wall Insulation Polystyrene Beads Guide Conclusion
Polystyrene beads are the most popular cavity wall insulation material for many reasons. They’re more forgiving and easier to install. Additionally, they’re durable and lightweight, which decreases the risk of structural damage.
They’re also relatively water resistant and can provide you with more efficient insulation when properly installed. Remember that choosing a reputable installer through Insulation Advisor is a great way to ensure the installation is up to par.
We hope that this cavity wall insulation polystyrene beads guide helps you make the right decision for your property.
