International studies have shown that Polystyrenes EIF Systems are rated more thermally efficient than other wall systems and leave a smaller carbon footprint than other commonly used claddings.
As owners and builders become more conscious of the rising financial and environmental costs of energy (carbon emissions), thermal efficiency is becoming increasingly important. Victoria’s 5 star standard for residential homes is an example of the initiatives that are driving the way to build and renovate.
While a building’s overall energy rating incorporates many different factors, core consideration is the thermal efficiency of the walls, ceilings and floors.
While design can affect thermal efficiency, the choice of materials is perhaps one of the simplest and most cost effective options.
The thermal advantages of polystyrene are due to the nature of the material and the construction methods. Wrapping the house in a seamless blanket, stabilises the interior environment and reduces energy consumption.
In a MasterWall polystyrene cladding system, urethane sealed butt joining of panels eliminate thermal transfer or heat leakage. This typically occurs at places such as the studs in a batt insulated stud wall or similar locations in other wall types. Thermal transfer can also occur in poorly installed polystyrene clad walls so it is very important that it is installed correctly by qualified tradespeople/installers.
Polystyrene also offers the potential to vary thermal insulation up or down, depending on the thermal requirements of a particular wall.
MasterWall EIFS can deliver significant benefits – without the installation of additional insulation materials. The estimated R factor (thermal rating) of a 200mm thick solid concrete wall is 0.3; for a 200mm thick aerated concrete wall, the R value is 1.54; and for a 100mm thick MasterWall polystyrene wall, the R value is 2.7. As R value increases, the insulation benefit improves.