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Compare to geofoam:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geofoam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geofoam In particular the use of geofoam at Chicago's Millenium park: ht

Compare to geofoam:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geofoam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geofoam In particular the use of geofoam at Chicago's Millenium park: https://www.insulfoam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/april-16-update_job-site-camera.jpg https://www.insulfoam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/april-1... In the specific case of Millenium Park it makes some intuitive sense since there's a parking garage beneath it that can only bear so much weight. For individual homes, I'm not convinced. I'm probably just ignorant of polystyrene's properties and the tradeoffs relative to other materials, but I'm worried about it just kind of hanging around in the environment as buildings degrade. Concrete, steel, and glass do that, I suppose, but in a less displeasing way...

kennywinker 5y ago
Geofoam and this: microplastic leeching sites for the next 100 years.
- NoImmatureAdHom 5y ago
  Yep, I'm concerned about this--though I'm no expert.
jacquesm 5y ago
Polystyrene filler for concrete foundations is pretty much how it is done these days.
- NoImmatureAdHom 5y ago
  Filler? I've seen foam inside/outside the concrete for insulation, but as a filler...as in replacing aggregate in the concrete?
  - jacquesm 5y ago
    You can do that too to reduce the density of the concrete and to increase the insulation value but what you're more likely to encounter is to have the foundation layered in foam slabs and then concrete poured over the top for a good mixture of strength and insulation. The styrofoam insulates and because the concrete and the foam are in contact it also helps to diffuse loads. Some pictures: https://fpmccann.co.uk/portfolio-items/thermabeam/ https://fpmccann.co.uk/portfolio-items/thermabeam/ Insulated foundations set on foam: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/placing-a-concrete-foundation-on-rigid-foam-insulation https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/placing-a-concr... The main reason is to fully insulate the thermal mass of the house from the surroundings. I see this happen around here all the time and even though I understand the basics I'm still not sure that I would like the house that I own and have a good chunk of my saving in built like that because of the long term compression of the foam. I'd be worry about uneven compression and cracks or other foundation issues. But it's really very common.

kennywinker 5y ago

Geofoam and this: microplastic leeching sites for the next 100 years.

NoImmatureAdHom 5y ago
Yep, I'm concerned about this--though I'm no expert.

jacquesm 5y ago

Polystyrene filler for concrete foundations is pretty much how it is done these days.

NoImmatureAdHom 5y ago
Filler? I've seen foam inside/outside the concrete for insulation, but as a filler...as in replacing aggregate in the concrete?
- jacquesm 5y ago
  You can do that too to reduce the density of the concrete and to increase the insulation value but what you're more likely to encounter is to have the foundation layered in foam slabs and then concrete poured over the top for a good mixture of strength and insulation. The styrofoam insulates and because the concrete and the foam are in contact it also helps to diffuse loads. Some pictures: https://fpmccann.co.uk/portfolio-items/thermabeam/ https://fpmccann.co.uk/portfolio-items/thermabeam/ Insulated foundations set on foam: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/placing-a-concrete-foundation-on-rigid-foam-insulation https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/placing-a-concr... The main reason is to fully insulate the thermal mass of the house from the surroundings. I see this happen around here all the time and even though I understand the basics I'm still not sure that I would like the house that I own and have a good chunk of my saving in built like that because of the long term compression of the foam. I'd be worry about uneven compression and cracks or other foundation issues. But it's really very common.