Polystyrene Insulation Calculator
Fast, accurate and free online styropianu calculator tool running directly in your browser.
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Styrofoam calculator
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Other tools you may find usefulHow does the Styrofoam calculator work and why is it worth using?
The Styrofoam calculator is an advanced online tool developed for investors planning thermal modernization of buildings. Insulating the facade, ground floor or roof is a key step towards reducing heating bills. The cost of purchasing thermal insulation materials is a significant expense in the construction budget. Purchasing too few packages stops the work of the construction team, while excess Styrofoam is difficult to store due to its large volume and susceptibility to mechanical damage and UV rays.
Our calculator automatically converts the insulation area (m²) for a given board thickness (cm) into volume in cubic meters (m³) and precisely indicates the number of individual polystyrene boards needed (assuming a standard board size of 100 × 50 cm) and full packages to order from a construction warehouse.
How to calculate the demand for Styrofoam? Methodology and packages
Styrofoam is sold in packages of similar volume, usually **approx. 0.3 m³** (specifically, most often 0.28 - 0.31 m³). For this reason, the thicker the Styrofoam we choose, the fewer square meters of insulation one package will cover. Demand calculations are made as follows:
- Area with a margin:We add a margin for trimmings to the facade area (length of walls × height, minus windows and doors) - standard **5%** (in the case of simple shapes) to **10%** (in the case of complex architecture).
- Package efficiency (m²):Calculated by the formula:
Package volume (0.3 m³) / (Slab thickness in cm / 100). For example, for 10 cm Styrofoam, the package covers0.3 / 0.1 = 3 m²area. For 15 cm Styrofoam it will be0.3 / 0.15 = 2 m². - Number of packages:We divide the area with the reserve by the efficiency of the package and round the result up.
Recommended insulation thickness and heat transfer coefficient
According to the current technical conditions (WT 2021), the heat transfer coefficient for external walls U cannot exceed **0.20 W/(m²·K)**. To meet these requirements, polystyrene with a thickness of **15 to 20 cm** is most often used with a thermal conductivity coefficient λ (Lambda) of 0.031 - 0.040 W/(m·K). The lower the Lambda value (e.g. graphite polystyrene 0.031), the better the insulating properties of the material and the possibility of using a thinner layer of insulation.
Styrofoam pack efficiency (for a 0.3 m³ pack)
| Styrofoam thickness (cm) | Package efficiency (m²) | Number of boards in the pack (pcs) | Package volume (m³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 cm | 6.0 m² | 12 pcs | 0.30 m³ |
| 10 cm | 3.0 m² | 6 pcs | 0.30 m³ |
| 12 cm | 2.5 m² | 5 pcs | 0.30 m³ |
| 15 cm | 2.0 m² | 4 pcs | 0.30 m³ |
| 20 cm | 1.5 m² | 3 pcs. | 0.30 m³ |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many styrofoam boards are in one package?
The number of boards in a package depends directly on the thickness of the polystyrene. A standard slab measures 100 cm by 50 cm (0.5 m²). With a package volume of 0.3 m³, a 10 cm Styrofoam package contains 6 boards (3 m²), a 15 cm Styrofoam pack - 4 boards (2 m²), and a 20 cm Styrofoam pack - 3 boards (1.5 m²).
How much Styrofoam should be added for the cuts?
When insulating external walls, it is recommended to add a 5% to 10% allowance for waste generated when cutting boards around windows, doors and in the corners of the building. When insulating floors or flat roofs, the reserve may be smaller and amount to approximately 3-5%.
What is the difference between white and graphite Styrofoam?
Graphite Styrofoam has the addition of graphite, which reflects thermal radiation, thanks to which it has a much better (lower) thermal conductivity coefficient λ (often 0.031 - 0.033 W/mK) compared to white (0.038 - 0.044 W/mK). This allows the use of an insulation layer that is approximately 25-30% thinner while maintaining the same insulation.
How much glue is needed to glue 1 m² of Styrofoam?
The average consumption of dry adhesive mortar for gluing Styrofoam boards is approximately 4-5 kg per m². When applying a layer reinforced with glass mesh on Styrofoam, another 3.5 - 4.5 kg of glue is used per m². In total, approximately 8-10 kg of glue per m² of surface should be planned for insulating the façade.
How to calculate the volume of polystyrene in m³?
To calculate the volume of Styrofoam in cubic meters (m³), multiply the wall area (m²) by the thickness of the Styrofoam in meters. For example, for a 150 m² facade insulated with 15 cm (0.15 m) thick Styrofoam, the volume is: 150 × 0.15 = 22.5 m³ of Styrofoam.