Polystyrene sheet

[rkchapman]

I have several sheets of expanded polystyrene about 6ft by 2ft by 1inch or so, that came as part of the packaging on some stuff we had delivered. Is there anything I can use it for rather than sending it to the dump? Can it be recycled?

I wondered about sticking it to the walls of my workshop by way of insulation but was a bit concerned about it being a fire hazard (though it's probably no more flammable than the wood...)

 

[Shadowfax]

It's much, much more flammable than the wood and will give off some of the worst kind of combustion products you can imagine. Thick, black, toxic smoke; laden with isocyantes and cyanide for starters.
If you want to use it for insulation, make sure it is well covered with non-combustible linings that do not have an air gap behind them. Otherwise, get rid of it!
Great for a packing material but should never have been considered for a building product IMHO.
AFAIK it is not readily recycleable.
Sorry to sound so down on the stuff, though.
Cheers.

SF

 

[Nick W]

If you're thinking of laying a concrete floor it makes good insulation if laid over the hardcore but under the DP membrane.

 

[Anonymous]

Freecycle http://uk.freecycle.org/ if there is one near you. You can get rid off (and obtain) all sorts of stuff.

chewers
Jacob

 

[Losos]

Nick
Wouldn't one usually pour a layer of concrete over the hardcore and then lay the polystyrene sheets? with a DPM on top and then another layer of concrete.

 

[Nick W]

Losos,

For a house you might well do that, but for a workshop ...

 

[Losos]

Hi Nick,

I'm hope SWIMBO doesn't ever read your post, she has been known to tell me to go and live in the workshop :roll: :roll: