ᐅ Experience with expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks

Created on: 15 Sep 2010 21:53
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papi10
Hello everyone!
Does anyone have experience with expanded polystyrene blocks? What are their advantages and disadvantages?
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BauLine
19 Sep 2010 00:30
6Richtige schrieb:

Maybe Willi Wacker can enlighten us regarding the following points:

So, papi10, first look up Lego-style construction, form an opinion, then assess the risks and decide.

I doubt that, his post already contains too many mistakes... that shows complete ignorance. But as a house salesperson... of course, you can rely on the mentioned company; they'll gladly push that onto customers.

He probably also knows nothing about the gravel pockets at the base of the walls and the damage they tend to cause with this system.

Ultimately, the system is nothing more than a DIY concrete slab construction—just in a different form. That’s at least my personal opinion on such building systems, regardless of the sales company’s name. It gets especially interesting in the event of a fire in a home... supposedly, polystyrene is very "pleasant" in such cases...

To give a layperson an idea of how this often ends up (not the fire, but rather the construction), here is a photo album from a builder—unfortunately, there are many like this—gallery.alptraumbau.de In the album titled BAU, you will quickly find examples. Once you have seen the course of events, hopefully papi10 will have resolved the matter. If not, then so be it....
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Willi Wacker
20 Sep 2010 18:52
The Story of Styrofoam Blocks...

...is a story full of prejudices and misunderstandings...

In the above posts, what I have already mentioned is once again confirmed: Usually, the loudest critics of this construction method are those who want to sell something else.

The great thing is: EVERYONE has an opinion on it and is generally not willing to let facts influence it.

It is often not known that

polystyrene rigid foam is vapor permeable, so no vapor barrier is needed as is the case with prefabricated houses.

the dew point lies in the ideal area, namely in the outer third of the wall, where any (theoretical) condensation could easily dry out if it were to occur.

these are building authority-approved systems that have undergone strict testing before being approved.

heavy items (e.g., wall cabinets) are not attached to the Styrofoam itself, but to the concrete (using longer screws).

the material used is flame-retardant and self-extinguishing, so it cannot be compared to the Styrofoam from food packaging.

in the event of a fire in an apartment, the interior insulation, which is protected by the interior plaster, does not come into contact with fire; instead, the furniture burns first.

the smoke and gases produced by burning furniture, fabrics, felt, cork, and other materials used in homes are much more dangerous than the gases released when Styrofoam melts.

What is the difference in constructing a concrete wall using wood or steel formwork? Nests do not form there either when done correctly.

The manufacturers of polystyrene rigid foam granules (e.g., BASF, Shell) are happy to provide extensive information to those interested. But you have to want to learn.

In this spirit, yours, Willi.
By the way, NOT a house salesperson, but someone who has built themselves and thoroughly researched the topic.
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baumaster
27 Sep 2010 22:32
I have had very positive experiences with expanded polystyrene blocks. In particular, heating costs have significantly decreased during winter. Since the expanded polystyrene blocks also insulate the interior, only the living area needs to be heated, and there is no longer a need to warm the walls separately.
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BauLine
27 Sep 2010 23:25
baumaster schrieb:

Heating costs have significantly decreased in winter.

Oh really.. yes, compared to what?
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Willi Wacker
1 Oct 2010 13:10
Heating Costs
BauLine schrieb:
Oh come on.. yeah compared to what?

Probably compared to before. What else.
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Willi Wacker
1 Oct 2010 13:12
News from the Construction!

+++ latest update +++
Master mason M. from W. has built a crooked sand-lime brick wall. Who is to blame? Of course, the sand-lime brick.