Polystyrene is one of the most interesting materials in the world. It dates back to 1929 and has many uses today in packaging, construction, and more. EPS in particular has a lot of different applications in buildings. We want to take a close look at this and how innovations can make it even more useful in the future. Then, if you need help with commercial architecture, housing, or other projects, we can help.
Properties
Expanded polystyrene has a number of properties that make it fantastic for construction. Most notably, it is tough, light, and has impressive thermal resistant properties. It doesn’t stop there though. EPS is also typically resistant to water and has high impact resistance. Plus, it tends to resist the growth of fungi and bacteria.
All of the properties make it useful for various building materials. For example, you can use it in floors, walls, roofs, and more. In fact, it is one of the most popular options for void filling. It has been used for construction since around the 1970s.
Innovations
Over time, particularly in the last few decades, there have been a number of developments with EPS. As a result, it is likely to remain a viable option for different buildings, including commercial architecture, for a long time.
One interesting innovation is the development of biodegradable EPS. Manufacturers can create the polystyrene using industrial waste or mycelium from mushrooms. Under the right conditions they can biodegrade, ensuring a smaller impact on the environment.
Another innovation that ensures the material has a smaller environmental impact is grey polystyrene (GPS). It differs from EPS because it features graphite particles. This changes the colour, hence the name. More importantly, the inclusion massively improves the insulating qualities. As a result, it can be a more eco-friendly option than materials like mineral fibres.
You can also get EPS today with better fire resistant properties. This is thanks to the inclusion of fire retardant additives. So, instead of burning, the EPS will melt. This can protect the structure.
Finally, there have been innovations in how to shape the EPS. Today you can use robotic arms, computer programming, and wire erosion to effective cut the panels. Therefore, you can quickly and effectively create complex shapes. This allows people to be more creative with designs for commercial architecture and more.
Recycling
There has also been a lot of work to improve the disposal of EPS. The goal is to make it a more sustainable choice. As a result, people have been looking at different ways to expand it from singular uses.
One option is to recycle it to create new products. For example, you could easily take old polystyrene and create protective paints and coatings. There are plenty of applications for the former, including things like road markings. This can save resources.
Most importantly, people should think carefully about the environmental challenges of choosing EPS. The best option is to plan how you will dispose of the materials in the future before even choosing them. That way, you can utilise and manage everything in a much greener way.
Do you need some help with commercial architecture?
Coffey Architects is a team you can rely on for all kinds of projects. One of the best aspects of working with us is we can sit with you to carefully consider different materials. We can look at the impact on the environment, particularly in terms of embodied carbon and how to ensure you can avoid sending massive volumes of waste to landfill in the future. Overall, we can make your project much better in terms of sustainability and performance.
So, if you want to plan commercial architecture, housing, or other projects with us, feel free to get in touch. We’d love to go on the journey with you.