Interpreting rigid foam performance board testing
I am considering using an expanded polystyrene foam board insulation to “cut and cobble,” for a project described here: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/community/forum/plans-review/103733/1952-cape-cod
The product is manufactured by BASF and subsequently private labeled. I’ve posted more detail re: the use case in the above-linked thread.
Can you help me interpret the attached report from the ICC Evaluation Service? Looks to me like this is an R4-R4.5/inch product. But because I’ve never examined a report of rigid foam or any other insulation product, I’d appreciate any insight into key characteristics and whether the product seems legitimate.
Thank you.
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Emerson,
The relevant R-values are shown in the table below. For comparison purposes, pay attention to the column that refers to thermal resistance at 75 degrees F mean temperature -- that is the legally permissable way to report R-value. The R-value at 40 degrees F mean temperature is interesting but can't be meaningfully compared to other R-values as shown on insulation labels.
The reported R-values range from R-4.3 per inch to R-4.6 per inch depending on insulation type (density).
The R-values the BASF claims for its Neopor insulation are legitimate; they are higher than rival brands because of the graphite. The ESR report is a credible report by a third-party laboratory.
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Thank you, thats great news.