What kind of foam is used to fabricate exterior/interior decorative trim products?
The two most common types of foam used are expanded polystyrene (EPS foam) and polyurethane foam.
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What is EPS foam?
EPS foam is made from polystyrene beads that are expanded in a mold using steam, a small amount of pentane (4 -6%) or another blowing agent. The polystyrene beads expand to about 40 times their original size. After coming out of the block mold the expanded polystyrene is rigid, lightweight, and biologically friendly with very high insulating quality.
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Are all foam products the same?
No. Fabricators of foam products use foams of different densities. Foam regrind is produced from recycled scrap foam and is generally used for insulation products. EPS foam used for decorative product is available in different densities. Most commonly used densities vary from 1.0 to 1.5 lbs. per cubic foot. There are also different bead sizes, most common are B bead and a C bead. A C-bead is smaller than a B-bead. The higher weight per cubic foot (1.5 lb) and the smaller bead - C bead. equates to a much more dense product of higher integrity than the 1lb. alternative. Architectural FOAM & Art uses 1.5 lb - c bead virgin foam unless the lower quality is specified.
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What are the effects of foam on the environment?
EPS Foam is CFC and HCFC free and NO CFC's or HCFC's are used in the production of the foam blocks. Due to the inherent durability of EPS foam responsible providers recycle scrap back to the manufacturer rather than dispose of it in a landfill.
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What are the advantages of using foam?
1. Foam is lighweight for easy installation.
2. Foam is cost effective.
3. Foam is effective over a wide temperature range.
4. Foam has low thermal conductivity.
5. Foam has high strength to weight ratio.
6. Foam does not support bacterial growth.
7. Foam is moisture resistant.
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How long will foam products last?
EPS foam does not biodegrade which makes it a highly durable product.
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How are foam products prepared for outside installation?
EPS foam product used on exterior surfaces should be coated with an exterior hard coat before it is painted and installed. Generally coatings are cement based, non-cement based synthetic hard coats, or 2 part polyurethane or epoxy coatings.
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Can I paint over the finished product?
Yes. We recommend high quality waterbased latex products.
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Does interior product need the same coating as exterior product?
It depends on where the product is going to be installed. Product being installed above 6 feet does not require an exterior hard coat.
A wide variety of water based products may be used to achieve finishes that look like wood, or other faux finishes.
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How is foam product installed?
There are many good industrial strength adhesives available at most hardware stores that will attach foam pieces to block, stucco, wood, drywall, etc.
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Architectural FOAM & Art's product is fabricated in our shop in Rockledge, Florida. Our product is made in Florida from raw material and coatings that are also manufactured in Florida. We take on environmental responsibilty by recycling our scrap foam.
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