Question: What are the physical properties of WEDGE-IT?

Answer: Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, which is a lightweight, closed cell plastic foam material composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. It is derived from petroleum and natural gas by-products.

Question: Is EPS manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)s?

Answer: No. EPS neither contains nor uses chlorofluorocarbons, usually referred to as CFCs or hydrochlorofluorocarbons, referred to as HCFCs, in its manufacturing process. EPS uses only hydrocarbon blowing agents in its manufacturing process.

Question: Does WEDGE-IT change the roof’s fire rating?

Answer: No. When the roofing material is installed per manufacture’s specifications Wedge-it will not change the respective roof’s fire rating.

Question: What is the assurance of quality?

Answer: The EPS used in the WEDGE-IT falls under the ACCU-R EPS Program. A quality assurance program for the manufacturers of EPS sponsored by The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.. The quality control measures employed by the EPS manufacturers who participate in the Program ensure that the EPS roof insulation which is manufactured meets or exceeds the standards of ASTM C 578-91a in product integrity and performance.
In order to verify continuing program compliance with the ASTM standards, either Underwriters Laboratories or RADCO Laboratories randomly tests roof insulation under their respective follow-up service procedures. In addition, there are random unannounced job site inspections by the test agencies. These job site inspections of ACCU-R EPS Program material are an adjunct of the administrators’ follow-up services procedures. The results of these job site inspections are furnished to the molder as well as the job site owner’s representative or architect.

Question: Is there an ICBO for WEDGE-IT?

Answer: YES. Insulfoam ICBO ER 3414 which covers a variety of roof insulation applications.

Question: Is there a specific profile for each product label?

Answer: YES. Each type of tile has specific dimensions and tolerances, thus each Wedge-It profile varies. All packages are marked and labeled with the specific contents. In addition, each package contains installation instructions.

Question: Does the R-value of EPS experience any thermal drift?

Answer: No. When properly installed and protected from moisture, the R-value of EPS insulation remains constant because the cellular structure of EPS contains only stabilized air. The R-value of EPS will not decrease with age. As a result, the thermal resistance, or R-value, of EPS may be used without any adjustment for aging.

Question: Does EPS offer good moisture resistance?

Answer: Yes. A study by the Energy Materials Testing Laboratory has shown that EPS insulation installed in well-constructed roofs does not absorb appreciable moisture, even under conditions characteristic of prolonged, cold winters. The small amount of moisture absorbed (an average of 0.02% by weight) has little or no effect on compressive and flexural strength. Further, the EPS insulation retains between 95% and 97% of its thermal efficiency.

Question: Does temperature cycling affect EPS insulation?

Answer: No. EPS is able to withstand the abuse of temperature (freeze-thaw) cycling without loss of structural integrity or other physical properties, thus assuring long term performance.

Question: Is EPS combustible?

Answer: Yes. Though EPS contains a flame retardant additive, EPS insulation is combustible. It should not be left exposed to open flame or other ignition sources.

Question: Does ultra-violet light from the sun affect EPS?

Answer: Yes. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause a slight discoloration and surface dusting of EPS insulation. The insulating properties will not be significantly affected under normal usage.

Question: Is EPS able to be recycled or reprocessed?

Answer: Yes. After its original life as insulation, EPS could be recycled into a variety of consumer and industrial products.

Question: What is the life expectancy of EPS?

Answer: Much longer than any roof. In landfills the expected life is 400 years.