Provides a long-term solution for insulating swimming pools, helping to create energy efficient pools with low running costs
Styropool XPS (Extruded Polystyrene) for insulating swimming pool structures
The Ultimate Solution to Swimming Pool Insulation
Styropool is made from Ravatherm XPS X (extruded polystyrene) and is available in three different grades to meet the needs of a wide range of swimming pool types and depths.
Benefits
Achieves thermal resistance up to 4.83 WmK
Manufactured to order in Sheffield, from stocked materials
Technical
Our experienced technical team will work with you to determine the best Styropool solution to ensure that your swimming pool meets Building Regulations.
Styropool is available in three different grades to meet the needs of a wide range of swimming pool types and sizes:
| Grade | Compressive Strength | Design Load |
| Styropool 300 | 300 kN/m2 | 130 kN/m2. |
| Styropool 500 | 500 kN/m2 | 180 kN/m2. |
| Styropool 700 | 700 kN/m2 | 250 kN/m2. |
The design load is that load on the insulation which will give a maximum compression of 2% after 50 years.
Styropool is manufactured from extruded polystyrene and is blown using recycled CO2. Styropool has Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than five. It is 100% recyclable. Styropool offers exceptionally low water absorption with less than 0.5% after 28 days immersion.
Physical Properties
| Styropool Grade | Compressive Strength kN/m2 | Design Load kN/m2 | Length mm | Width mm | Edge Detail | Standard Thickness mm |
| 300 | 300 | 130 | 1250 | 600 | Butt | 50,75,100,125,150 |
| 500 | 500 | 180 | 1250 | 600 | Shiplap | 50,75 |
| 700 | 700 | 250 | 1250 | 600 | Shiplap | 50, 100 |
Thermal Resistance m2K/W
| Thickness | Styropool 300 | Styropool 500 | Styropool 700 |
| 50 | 1.43 | 1.39 | 1.39 |
| 75 | 2.14 | 1.97 | **** |
| 100 | 2.78 | **** | 2.63 |
| 125 | 3.47 | **** | **** |
| 150 | 4.17 | **** | **** |
Technical Properties
| Mechanical Properties | NORM | UNIT | Styropool 300 | Styropool 500 | Styropool 700 |
| Compressive Strength @ deformation or yield | BS EN 826 | kN/m2 | 300 | 500 | 700 |
| Desgin Load max. 2% deformation @ 50 years | BS EN 1606 | kN/m2 | 130 | 180 | 250 |
| Water Absorption Properties | NORM | UNIT | Styropool 300 | Styropool 500 | Styropool 700 |
| Dimensional Stability 48hrs@23C & 90%RH | BS EN 1604 | % | < 2 | < 2 | |
| Dimensional Stability 48hrs@70C & 90%RH | % | < 3 | < 5 | < 5 | |
| Dimensional Stability under load | BS EN 1605 | < 5 | < 5 | ||
| Reaction to fire | BS EN 13501-1 | Euroclass E | E | E | |
| Misc Properties | NORM | UNIT | Styropool 300 | Styropool 500 | Styropool 700 |
| Water pick-up - immersion of full board (28 days) | BS EN 12087 | vol % | < 0.4 | < 0.4 | < 0.5 |
| - diffusion | BS EN 12088 | vol % | > 3 | < 3 | |
| - freeze/thaw | BS EN 12091 | vol % | < 0.5 | < 1 | |
| Water vapour diffusion (µ-value) | BS EN 12086 | 185 | 150-210 | 150-210 |
Applications
Styropool can help create energy efficient pools with low running costs whilst also meeting current Building Regulations. The benefits include:
- Excellent thermal performance in order to meet your project thermal requirements
- High compressive strength, making it ideal for insulating the base and retaining walls of a swimming pool
- Exceptionally low water absorption and can be installed directly below concrete
- Supplied from our Sheffield warehouse for collection or delivery throughout the UK
Styropool and Building Regulations
Building Regulations Part L1A 2010 requires a swimming pool that is part of a dwelling to achieve a minimum thermal performance, equivalent to a U value of 0.25 W/m2K. The U Value is derived from a combination of variables including:
Ground Type
Differences between soil type may impact on the calculation.
Pool Construction Method
Every material component contributes to the overall U value, and this will vary from project to project.
Structural Demands
This will determine the grade of Styropool and its associated thermal performance.
P/A Ratio
Where P is the perimeter and A is the pool area. The higher the P/A ratio the more insulation required.
Pool Shape
The shape of the pool will impact the P/A ratio where the pool area is constant.
Depth of Pool
The greater the depth the better the U value.
Insulation Location
Styropool can be installed below the structural element of the swimming pool. The closer the insulation is to the heating source, the faster the insulation will respond, and the pool temperature will rise faster but decline faster when the heat source is switched off. When located below the structural element, it will create a heat sink and therefore once at temperature the pool will have a much slower heat loss if the source is switched off.
Typical Example
Rectangular Pool: 10m x 5m
Area: 50m2
Perimeter: 30LM
P/A: 0.6
Pool Depth: 1.5m
Construction: 200mm concrete on to Styropool insulation with 100mm Styropool 300 in the walls and 100mm Styropool 300 in the floor.
U value: 0.24 w/m24K
Our friendly and knowledgeable team are on-hand to offer expert advice and help.
Tel: 0114 275 2881
Fax: 0114 278 6840
Sales: sales@panelsystems.co.uk
General: mail@panelsystems.co.uk
NEED ASSISTANCE? Please contact us during office hours on 01909 774 914 or via the contact form.
For large orders and custom sizes of Ravatherm XPS X, please contact our dedicated Foam Fabrication and Distribution division on 01909 774 914. Alternatively, submit your enquiry through to sales@panelsystems.co.uk.
Frequently asked questions
How does Ravatherm XPS X react to fire?
Ravatherm XPS X is rated Euroclass E under BS EN 13501-1 Reaction to Fire test. For more information regarding Ravatherm XPS X’s reaction to fire, please refer to Ravago’s comprehensive product brochure.
What is Styropool? Ravatherm XPS X?
Styropool is made from Ravatherm XPS X – an extruded polystyrene. It was first developed and produced in the 1940’s by Dow Chemical Company in the USA. The process of extruding polystyrene results in a material with uniformly small, closed cells and an unrivalled set of properties which make it ideal for insulation and also as a core in lightweight structural panels.
Why can I no longer buy blue Styrofoam?
The Dow Styrofoam name has changed to Ravatherm XPS X. This product is now manufactured by Ravago Building Solutions – Europe’s largest manufacturer of XPS X insulation. The level of quality and availability has remained the same. If you have any questions regarding this change, please contact our technical sales team.
Can I open a trade account?
Credit accounts may be considered for larger, or regular orders. Please contact our sales office for further details on 01909 774 914. Other payment methods include credit card through our online shop.
Contact us
Get in touch to find out more about pricing, or to discuss your requirements in more detail.
Please note: We specialise in supplying commercial manufacturers and trade customers. Unfortunately, we are unable to quote for most individual self-build camper van or motorhome projects.
Call us on 0114 249 5626
