If you’re an architect or engineer, or any other construction industry professional, chances are you’ve had to consider a variety of materials for a wide range of applications. Whether you’re looking at different foundation types, wall build-ups, or void formers or fillers for a civil engineering project, there are an abundance of options to choose from. Compounded by price increases and supply issues, the choices can often seem overwhelming when trying to stay on time and on budget.
In our latest post on the KORE Blog, we’ll look at why you should consider Expanded Polystyrene, or EPS, as the material of choice for a variety of applications this Autumn.
Expanded polystyrene can insulate a building from top to bottom
When it comes to insulation, there’s almost nothing EPS can’t do. EPS Insulation can insulate a new build or retrofit project from top to bottom. This includes:
- The foundation with the KORE Insulated Foundation System
- The ground floor of the build with KORE Floor Insulation
- The external walls with KORE Fill Cavity Wall Insulation or KORE External Wall Insulation
- The roof with KORE Loft, KORE Lock or KORE Flat Roof, depending on the needs of the project
KORE EPS insulation offers a very high thermal performance, achieving Part L 2021, nZEB and other low energy building methods for nearly all insulation applications. Our technical department can assist with U-value calculations and product specification guidelines to help meet your needs.
We’re continually innovating new products
When it comes to product innovation, 2022 has been a busy year for KORE. We’re happy to announce new products that are designed to make your life easier.
One new product to hit the market this year is KORE Flat Roof Insulation. KORE Flat Roof is a versatile insulation that can be used on a variety of flat roof applications. This includes:
- Standard warm flat roof applications
- Inverted flat roofs
- Metal roof decks
- Tapered flat roofs
- Profiled sheet roofing
KORE Flat Roof is available in different densities and thicknesses, offering a very high compressive strength with low water absorption properties.
We’re also happy to announce KORE Geofoam, which is used to replace traditional earth materials like soil, pebbles, and concrete, as a soil substitute. Applications for KORE Geofoam include, but are not limited to:
- Road and airport construction over poor soil
- Road widening
- Slope stablisation
- Rail embankment
- Bridge underfill and abutment
- Levee rehabilitation and construction
Like all our products, KORE Geofoam is powered by EPS, offering an extremely low Poisson’s ratio and eliminating the rupture point in compression. EPS allows for strain ranges of up to 10 percent, making it the ideal solution to reduce loads on earth-retaining structures and stresses on slabs, grade-breams and utilities from expansive soils.
We’ve also added KORE XPS to our product range, offering a high compressive strength and stability that can support heavy loads without the deformation of the insulation boards. KORE XPS is perfect for insulating areas prone to water, moisture and frost.
We now offer a low carbon alternative
In the autumn of 2022, KORE introduced Ireland’s first low carbon EPS insulation solutions, reducing CO2 emissions during the manufacture of raw material by up to 90 percent, and up to 60 percent during the manufacture of insulation boards.
KORE Low Carbon Insulation utilises BASF’s Biomass Balance Approach, replacing feedstock made from fossil fuels with a 100% renewable alternative. KORE is REDcert2 certified with full authorisation to manufacture and sell low carbon insulation to the EU market.
KORE Low Carbon Insulation makes it easier to achieve BREEAM, LEED and Home Performance Index.
While not every product is available in a low carbon alternative at this time, many of our products can take advantage of this new technology, including:
- KORE Floor and components of the Insulated Foundation System
- KORE Fill Diamond and KORE External
- KORE Flat Roof and KORE Lock
- KORE Void Formers and KORE Geofoam
You can learn more about our low carbon product offerings here.
Take advantage of our third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration
KORE was the first EPS manufacturer in Ireland to receive a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration for our EPS sheet products, including EPS70 Silver & White, EPS100 Silver & White, EPS150 White, EPS200 and EPS300 White.
KORE’s EPD is verified by the Irish Green Building Council and EPD Ireland, measuring the complete lifecycle of the product from raw material to when the product leaves our facilities. Environmental impact indicators include:
- Global Warming Potential
- Acidification
- Eutrophication
- Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Potential
- Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential
- Abiotic Depletion (Elements)
- Abiotic Depletion (Fossil Fuels)
You can learn more about our Environmental Production Declaration directly on our website.
Find us at your local builders merchant
KORE’s insulation solutions can now be found at local builders merchants throughout Ireland. Many locations stock our top selling products, including KORE Floor Insulation. Standard sheet sizes can be purchased direct, or special orders can be placed for delivery to your local merchant or job site, making it easier to access KORE EPS as you need it.
We’re continuing to build this space. If there is a local merchant you’d like to see stock our product, you can submit a request through our website, or speak with your local merchant directly.
We are pleased to offer a database of stockists directly on our website. Click here to view a list of available stockists in your area.
Getting started with EPS insulation
Ready to see what EPS can do for you? Request a quotation directly on our website and our sales and technical team will contact you to discuss your project requirements and provide a detailed quotation for any of our products. We offer full technical back up and support, so you can be assured no matter the size of your project, that you’re in good hands.