The building industry has continuously evolved over the years with newer materials and methods making the construction process safer, more efficient and economical. Be it the height of structures, moving from wood and stone to concrete and composites, or building onsite to assembling prefabricated parts, many of these innovations and changes have enabled homes and buildings to be built faster and safer than ever before.
Foamex StyroPod, a polystyrene waffle pod system, is leading the way in alternative foundation filling solutions, providing support and increased thermal insulation. Using Foamex StyroPod, construction is quicker and more cost-effective than traditional concrete foundations.
The most popular reasons for choosing the Foamex StyroPod waffle pod system over a traditional concrete foundation include:
Stability and support with StyroPod
A traditional concrete slab can crack and move within the soil as a result of heat, humidity and wet weather. The StyroPod system will move with the building and absorb the pressure of the heave, leaving your slab structurally intact.
Insulation of StyroPod waffle pod system
There is excellent insulation from the natural air pockets in the expanded polystyrene (EPS) and the specially designed moulded cells within the StyroPod itself. This also means there is an increased thermal ‘R’ value due to the house foundation being made up of insulating EPS, with a layer of concrete over the top. This thermal mass then acts as an insulated bank.
Ease of use of StyroPod
Earthwork is minimised as there are no internal trenches to dig. StyroPod also brings the house further out of ground – beneficial in areas that are more prone to wet weather – due to the pods sitting on the site, as opposed to in the ground, which also means less environmental disturbances during construction.
Cost effective
With less concrete needed to be poured, not only do you save money on concrete, but also on labour as construction is quicker, which means less time is spent prepping the site. Work can also continue in adverse weather due to foam’s ability to repel rain, meaning your completion schedule doesn’t go haywire.
