Perception! Is a Cadillac better than a Chevrolet?

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Dale Mullikin

By:  Dale Mullikin, Sales Representative – Architectural Products

When people look at a Cadillac they perceive higher value than a Chevrolet. Both are made by the same manufacturer. Both may even use the same parts but due to experiences, marketing, beliefs or even cultural influences, the individual perception is that the Cadillac is better. So the value is higher for a Cadillac than a Chevrolet. A Cadillac certainly costs more but is it really worth the perceived value.

What is your first impression of Expanded Polystyrene? Most people have an initial impression of EPS that is not good. I have held up a sample of EPS in front of architects, engineers and contractors over the years and always hear the same thing, which I don’t want to repeat here. But it isn’t good. Why do I put myself through this every time I talk about EPS? Because perception is based on many factors like past experiences, feelings, imagination, values, memories, beliefs and your cultural settings. (Investopedia) Perceptions can be different for everyone for many reasons. The great thing about perceptions is that they can be changed. My first impression of mushrooms as a kid was, “no way am I going to eat that gross, slimy vegetable”. Is it a vegetable? Now as an adult, I want as many mushrooms as possible on my steak! My perception changed as I gathered more information. Frying mushrooms helped me to love them even more.

My goal is to, hopefully, change your perception of EPS. Actually, if you read the blogs already on this site it will be obvious. So my goal is get you to start over with EPS. The EPS I sell today is called Foam-Control Plus+ and it is far different than the EPS sold fifteen years ago when I started selling EPS. Foam-Control Plus+ is an architectural Grade EPS. What does that mean? That means Foam Control Plus+ has been tested to meet all the requirements of ASTM C-578. Foam-Control Plus+ has been stamped and labeled to meet the new Energy Codes. Foam-Control Plus+ comes in four types: 150, 250, 400 and 600. Those all relate to the compressive resistance shown in our Tech Data sheets. R-values of 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 are all met and shown in our Tech Data sheets. Check out the fifteen-year test on water absorption. The results will show you Foam-Control Plus+ will absorb less water long term, and that means higher long-term r-value. ACH Foam Technologies warrants 100 percent of the r-value and has the test results to stand behind that warranty. How is that perception doing now?

We know first impressions are very important, but I believe results will win in the end. Take another look at Foam-Control Plus+. The results will change your perceptions. Foam-Control Plus+ is the Cadillac of all rigid insulations, but it doesn’t cost more.

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EPS Geofoam? Rigid Insulation?… Or Both?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Jim Nugent

By:  Jim Nugent, Sales Representative – Architectural Products

Most people connected to the construction industry have some awareness of EPS Geofoam. Often the awareness is of high profile road and bridge projects or a green roof where the material is easily seen by the passer-by. The volume associated with these types of projects at times can be mind boggling. Some bridge approaches have been constructed of EPS Geofoam that are over 30 feet tall!

As the use of EPS Geofoam evolved it moved inside buildings to create stadium seating risers for movie theaters and auditoriums. Today EPS Geofoam in being used in countless applications for infills to create elevation changes inside a building. For example; ADA ramps, or to fill voids for truck docks or swimming pools that are being taken of service, or converting school auditoriums to level floor areas, or creating new elevations or filling low areas in upper stories of a multi story building where excessive weight can be a concern. The new applications continue to grow.

With the growth of new applications some confusion has surfaced about when is EPS Geofoam and when is EPS a perimeter or sub slab thermal insulation and when is it both? The confusion can be enhanced by the fact that there are two ASTM standards for EPS; The Geofoam standard which is D-6817 and the thermal insulation standard which is C-578. Within both D-6817 and C-578 there are 7 different EPS material types and yes, (to keep things simple) the 7 material types are the same in both standards.

So why do we need two ASTM standards for the same 7 material types? To those of us in the EPS industry who deal with this on a daily basis the answer is really simple, but I can not lie, when I first explain in detail the differences in the two EPS standards you can start to get a “glazed look” in the eye of your audience. Even as I am typing I can sense the reader drifting away……..

So why do we need the two standards? Measuring compressive resistance!

We are used to hearing compressive strengths of EPS insulation measured at 15 psi, 25 psi, 40 psi and 60 psi. Those compressive resistance parameters are found in the insulation standard C-578, and allows for 10% deformation of the material. That may be fine for a foundation wall but for a structural or civil engineers who are designing the EPS to support a load, that percentage of deformation is not acceptable. In the EPS Geofoam standard D-6817 compressive resistance is measured at 1% deformation being acceptable.

When EPS is being used as a thermal insulation for a roof, a perimeter wall, or as an under-slab insulation C-578 is correct design standard and typically will be in division 7 of the specification. When EPS is used to support a load or reduce force, then D-6817 is the correct design standard and you should find it referenced in Division 3, 17, 31 or the general conditions.

So when is EPS both Geofoam AND a thermal insulation? Typically when it is placed under a concrete slab over unstable soil or on a deep foundation to reduce lateral pressure. In both cases the excellent thermal performance and strength characteristics of the EPS are both beneficial to the structure.

EPS has long been valued for its versatility. From the frost line to the roof line there is not a better material for thermally insulating the building envelope and for solving load reduction problems as strong yet lightweight Geofoam fill.

Posted in EPS Insulation, Geofoam | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

EPS Protective Packaging

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Dennis Smith

By: Dennis Smith, Packaging Specialist

Certain factors need to be considered before selecting the correct packaging materials for what are sometimes unique requirements, but many times, a common solution that is quick and easy can often meet the needs of the customer as well.

Understanding the unique requirements of the customer and their particular application can either create an opportunity that is engineered for optimal performance or one that can be resolved through time-tested applications.

The mechanics of EPS depend, to a large extent, on material density. The cushioning characteristics required are determined by the size, shape and weight of the item the package is designed to protect.

ACH Foam offers both fabricated and custom molded solutions that are based upon the unique circumstances of the product and the needs of the customer and the end-user.

In a custom molded application, the geometry of the tool can greatly enhance the cushioning characteristics of the foam. The processing parameters, as well as bead size, can further help protect the product.

ACH Foam offers design capabilities that can optimize the performance of the package; whether to design Thermal Insulation or Mechanical Performance to cushion the product or both.

Unlike many other materials, EPS is more dimensionally stable and less affected by heat and moisture.

There’s a wide range of applications and solutions that ACH has to offer and at a savings when compared with many other packaging products. At times, our Loose Fill Packaging Peanuts offer a simple, quick and cost-effective solution.

Whether the solution is a fabricated package, custom-molded application, DuraTherm Insulated Shipping Container, WineLoc EPS Wine Package, EPE Custom Molded Package or Loose-Fill Packaging Peanuts, ACH has a solution and a product to meet the needs of our customers both now and in the future.

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EPS Roof Insulation: What would the Building Owner Want?

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Bill Downs

By: Bill Downs, Sales Representative – Architectural Products

What would the building owner want?

When I discuss EPS roof insulation with an architect or a contractor, this question almost always works its way into the conversation. WHY? Because, at the end of the day, the building owner has to live with the insulation that is installed on their roof. The building owner is putting a lot of trust in architects and contractors that they are making the best decisions for their building.

What do the building owners want? They want what we all want when we purchase something.  The best value for their money. Sometimes spending more money for something doesnt mean you are getting the best value. Spending more money on roof insulation doesn’t mean you are getting the best insulation for your roof. If something costs more it should be significantly better than its competing products. There should be some noticeable benefits for choosing it over those other products.

Lets compare R-Values. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Type II, 1.50 lb density has an R-Value of 4.6 per inch. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) is 5.0 per inch and Polyisocyanurate is 6.0 per inch. The R-value of EPS is so stable that 100% of its R-value is warranted for 20-years by ACH Foam Technologies. The other 2 products mentioned above have a higher published R-value but the warranties offered by the manufacturers of those two products tell us that R-Value will not be maintained for long. In fact the XPS warranty states that 90% of the published R-value will be warranted for 15 years and the ISO warranty says that 80% of the published R-value is warranted for 10 years. Does anyone else see a lot of red flags here? The building owner is paying for the R-value on his/her roof and needs to know that the 5.6 or 5.0 R-value won’t always exist.

We can also compare tapered EPS roof insulation to the above mentioned products. When it comes to a tapered roof there is no other choice. Tapered EPS has so many benefits over the other insulations. Tapered EPS offers speedy installation and very little if any jobsite waste. It comes from the factory precut and ready to install. There is no measuring, no cutting and installation is 3-4 times faster. This too saves money. Check out a taper installation video to see just how fast it installs in comparison to polyiso.  You’ll see a great example of the speed of installation I’m talking about.

Time is Money!

What would you want if you were the building owner? It’s a simple question really. And if you allow yourself to learn the facts the answer is just as simple. EPS is the best value for roof insulation.

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How to Achieve Continual Improvement

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Brian Oates

By: Brian Oates, Corporate Quality System Manager

Continual Improvement Projects

Continual improvement projects are one of the many methods that ACH uses to constantly increase plant efficiencies and customer satisfaction.    Types of continual improvement projects include, but are not limited to research and development, lean six sigma, product and/or software launches, and margin recovery projects.

Determine and Define the Project

Selection of an appropriate continual improvement project is key to success.  You want to determine what project would be the most beneficial to the company and then focus on just that project.  It is better to have one project that is focused and achievable than multiple projects.    Once the project is determined, you need to identify it, define the scope, determine who will be involved, and validate if there are any financial benefits.   Projects are prioritized according to financial impact and ease of implementation (low hanging fruit first).

Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control

During the measuring phase, data is collected that relates to the project goals.    The data is then analyzed to determine actions to take in order to achieve the desired improvements.    The control phase is how the company will ensure that implemented actions are maintained over time.

Foam-Control Plus+ Project

Recently, ACH Foam Technologies launced the Foam-Control Plus+ product and brand; an architectural grade expanded polystyrene (EPS) product line.   Foam-Control Plus+ is a premium grade insulation with a high compressive strength and high R-Value.

This project was a good example of operations working together with sales and marketing.   Information measured and analyzed by the team was determined from market/customer feeback.  Improvements made involved changing of packaging methods, changing of labeling methods, and changing of marketing efforts.   Controls put in place to ensure the goals and objectives of the project were met included adding of part numbers to the ERP system, training of employees, and creation of workmanship standards.

In order to make this a successful product launch, all aspects of the team had to work together to create the Foam-Control Plus+ product line.    Collective input and support have yielded success in the early stages of this project as sales run ahead of forecast.

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