The Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association (XPSA), a trade association of the industry’s manufacturers, partnered with the NAHB Research Center to publish informative, online resources about extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation in foundation applications.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - The Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association (XPSA), a trade association of the industry’s manufacturers, partnered with the NAHB Research Center to publish informative, online resources about extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation in foundation applications.

An online bulletin and web-site sections are geared to help residential builders learn practical information about energy-saving XPS in below-grade applications. The value of the information is that it features peer-vetted information associated with aspects of XPS in foundation applications (basements, crawl spaces and slab on grade). It includes tips and guidance related to real-world demonstrations and results, code compliance, energy efficiency, and cost savings, to name a few.

NAHB Research Center’s Web site, “Toolbase.org” brings this information into the residential building and construction marketplace and helps home builders and specifiers concerned with achieving energy efficiency below-grade. “The effort effectively educates about relevant industry issues and proper installation techniques for XPS use in below grade applications - and may be especially helpful where cost savings and energy efficiency are concerned,” states Susan Strong, Executive Director of the XPSA. “Within these peer-reviewed bulletins from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) coordinated by HUD and from the NAHB Research Center, we’re able to consolidate a lot of helpful information into a format that builders, contractors and architects can easily reference as an on site building tool.”

The process for developing the bulletin is rigorous and designed to get the best information. It includes subjecting drafts to external peer review and PATH scrutiny before posting it to a popular NAHB website,www.toolbase.org- a site that builders often reference to obtain technical guidance and assistance. The thorough process was designed so that NAHB Research Center retained final editing authority over all information presented on-line and in the final publication.

The information is found at two locations onwww.toolbase.org.

The ToolBaseTechSpec Bulletin on XPS Rigid Foam Insulation for Foundation Applications can be viewed online atwww.toolbase.org/Design-Construction-Guides/Tech-Summaries/techspecs-xps. The PATH Technology Inventory “XPS Foam Insulation for Foundation Applications” can be viewed atwww.toolbase.org/Building-Systems/Foundations/xps.

For more information, call 800-978-9772 or visitwww.xpsa.com.