Technical

About the Polycore Systems

Polycore building systems are made in a state of the art manufacturing process that produces structural building components that can be used for residential/commercial walls, foundation floors, foundation walls and roofs. Sections are made from two materials - EPS (expanded polystyrene) as the insulating wall core, and integrated galvanized structural steel construction studs for strength. The spacing and gauge / width of the steel studs is customized to meet specific load and engineering requirements of a project. The resulting building sections are cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly while still meeting all project strength and durability requirements.

Polycore building sections are cut and shaped to exact tolerance for each application, and assemble at the site using a groove and spline joint for optimum air and moisture sealing. The exterior of the sections can have textures or coating applied directly on site, or can be sheeted directly with siding or cladding, as the project requires.

Material Specifications
Please use the links below to reach other locations of our website and additional off-site locations and documents that can outline the exact physical properties of the Polycore system materials

EPS - Expanded Polystyrene
EPS is expanded polystyrene, a construction grade form of Styrofoam that has great insulation properties is lightweight, and inexpensive to produce. EPS has advantages over other foam plastics, it is 100% inert, it will not rot, compress, and is waterproof and non-toxic. Its use in the construction industry is established with over thirty years of history encompassing a multitude of construction applications. From roofing to below grade applications, the EPS industry stands behind its product with real-world test results. Research data from third party testing laboratories such as Oakridge National Laboratories, National Research Council of Canada, Florida Solar Energy Center and Structural Research Inc. lend confidence to specifiers, architects and contractors alike.

EPS has been recognized as a mainstream insulation material since the 1950's, but has only recently exploded into new applications.

Table 1. Strength Properties of EPS (70 ° F Test Temperature)

Density (pcf)	Stress @ 10% Compression (psi)	Flexural Strength (psi)	Tensile Strength (psi)	Shear Strength (psi)
1.0	10-14	25-30	16-20	18-22
1.5	15-21	40-50	18-22	26-32
2.0	25-33	50-75	23-27	33-37
2.5	42	75	74	92
3.0	64	88	88	118
3.3	67	105	98	140
4.0	80	125	108	175

Table 2.Water Absorption and Vapor Transmission

Mean Temperature (F)	Type 1 0.90 pcf	Type VIII 1.15 pcf	Type II 1.35 pcf	Type IX 1.80 pcf
Maximum water vapor transmission (WVT) 9	2.0-5.0 perms	1.5-3.5 perms	1.0-3.5 perms	0.6-2.0 perms
Maximum absorption % by volume	< 4.0%	< 3.0%	< 3.0%	< 2.0%
Capillary action	None	None	None	None

Strength Properties, Water Absorption and Vapor Transmission of Expanded Polystyrene
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Thermal Values and Environmental Facts about Expanded Polystyrene
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Facts about Fire and EPS
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