Foamular Extruded Polystyrene insulation can help builders address BCA, BASIX and Green Star requirements when building with masonry and brick.

Thermal mass is the capacity of a material to absorb heat energy. Masonry, brick and concrete walls are high density materials with very low thermal values. Walls made from these materials will heat up during the day, store that heat and then radiate it back into the house at night. Properly installed insulation in a walling system can limit this transfer and dramatically improve energy efficiency.

Insulation acts as a temperature barrier that slowly releases the stored temperature over an extended period. The temperature within the building will remain in a stable and comfortable range, reducing the cost of heating and cooling, and saving money for the occupant.

A double brick cavity wall has an R-value of only R0.69. In comparison, just 30mm of Foamular Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) has an R-value of R1.07. When combined, the two materials would provide an R-Value of 1.76 and vastly improve the wall’s thermal performance.

Foamular XPS in various thicknesses can be easily fitted in walls to meet thermal performance objectives and BCA/ BASIX requirements.

Being a closed-cell insulation material, Foamular XPS is not affected by moisture and can reduce the transfer of moisture without impacting its own physical properties. This reduced moisture absorption allows the insulation product to maintain 90% of its thermal properties for 20 years.

Foamular XPS is available from Austech External Building Products.