About Isoboard
Isofoam SA (Pty) Ltd began manufacturing in South Africa in 1995. Isofoam is part of the Kharafi group, an international construction, manufacturing and services group, headquartered in Kuwait.
Our manufacturing plant is situated in Atlantis, Western Cape, which producing high density rigid extruded polystyrene thermal insulation for the sub-Saharan market. Isofoam is commonly known as “IsoBoard”, the brand name for our market leading thermal insulation.
IsoBoard thermal insulation has well established markets in the agriculture, industrial, residential and commercial sectors. The company has proven innovative product applications to meet most thermal insulation requirements, supported by a conservative management policy of always being able to substantiate claims about our products, using third party verification where necessary. The five most common installation applications for IsoBoard all have South African Board of Agre’ment Certification as fit for purpose, which covers 97% of our sales market.
IsoBoard thermal insulation is distributed from three regional distribution centres in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, with additional sales points in Port Elizabeth, George, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit. In addition, as the demand for IsoBoard products for residential projects increases, IsoBoard is increasingly supported through builder’s merchants countrywide.
Isofoam SA (Pty) Ltd has increased production capacity to meet demand, both through organic growth and in anticipation of the effect of energy efficiency legislation and the spiralling cost of electricity in South Africa.
Fast facts: IsoBoard XPS Thermal Insulation
| IsoBoard Physical Properties | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property | Notes | Standard | Conditions | IsoBoard Test Result |
| Density | 1 | ISO 845; 2006 FDIS4898 | 32-36 kg m³ (± 10 %) | |
| Compressive Strength | 1, 5 | ISO 844; 2006 | 10% Strain | 160-310 kPa |
| Water Vapour Permeability | 1 | ISO 1663; 2007 | 38 °C / 88% RH | 0.75 ng/Pa.s.m |
| Water Absorption | 1, 6 | ISO 2896; 2001 | See note 6 below | < 1 % by volume |
| Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion | 1 | ISO 4897; 1985 | -10 °C to 60 °C | 0.040 mm per m per °C |
| ReDimensional Stability | 1 | EN1604 | -10 °C to 60 °C | < 1.0% all axes |
| Thermal Conductivity | 2 | ISO 8301; 2010 ed. 1 | 23 °C mean | 0.02624 W/m °C |
| Reaction to Fire | 4 | SANS 53501 | B-s1, d0 | |
| Fire Classification | 3 | SANS 428 | B/B1/2 H&V SPR or USP | |
Available in standard lengths up to 8000mm, width 600mm. Tongue and Groove edge profile
Thicknesses available as per table, 25mm to 80mm. Thicknesses greater than 50mm made to order, subject to minimum volumes.
| IsoBoard Physical Properties | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property | Notes | Standard | Conditions | IsoBoard Test Result |
| Density | 1 | ISO 845; 2006 FDIS4898 | 32-36 kg m³ (± 10 %) | |
| Compressive Strength | 1, 5 | ISO 844; 2006 | 10% Strain | 160-310 kPa |
| Water Vapour Permeability | 1 | ISO 1663; 2007 | 38 °C / 88% RH | 0.75 ng/Pa.s.m |
| Water Absorption | 1, 6 | ISO 2896; 2001 | See note 6 below | < 1 % by volume |
| Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion | 1 | ISO 4897; 1985 | -10 °C to 60 °C | 0.040 mm per m per °C |
| ReDimensional Stability | 1 | EN1604 | -10 °C to 60 °C | < 1.0% all axes |
| Thermal Conductivity | 2 | ISO 8301; 2010 ed. 1 | 23 °C mean | 0.02624 W/m °C |
| Reaction to Fire | 4 | SANS 53501 | B-s1, d0 | |
| Fire Classification | 3 | SANS 428 | B/B1/2 H&V SPR or USP | |
- Original determination of the physical properties of lsoBoard rigid foam insulation, dated July 1996, by the Division of Building Technology of the CSIR. Subsequent confirmation by Martin Smit Consulting in 2016 and 2017. Copies of test reports are available from Isofoam (South Africa) (Pty) Limited upon request.
- Thermal conductivity reports by the general physical laboratory of the South African Bureau by Standards numbered 722/82397 /NK9, 10. Confirmed by Guarded Hot Box tests February 2010. Re-assessed by Omega Test House 2023
- IsoBoard is combustible, with no flame spread characteristics. IsoBoard is suitable for all occupancy types in horizontal and vertical applications, except for building occupancies where non-combustible materials are prescribed by SANS 10400 Part T. (Reports on the fire propagation properties of lsoBoard dated July 1996, by the Division of Building Technology of the CSIR, and many further assessments by Firelab to SANS 428. Last confirmation fire test to SANS 428 Dec 2023, valid until December 2028).
- Reaction to fire assessment to SANS 53501-1 December 2024
- The compressive strength and density of IsoBoard increase with thickness of boards. Thermal conductivity is constant across the density range.
- Test specimens immersed in water to 50mm depth for 4 days. Water absorption is expressed as the average percentage increase in volume relative to the original volume.
IsoBoard holds five South African Board of Agre’ment application certifications. These were developed to provide confidence to building professionals and clients that IsoBoard is “Fit for Purpose” with respect to common building thermal insulation installations. IsoBoard XPS applications were unique in all the insulation world, as we proposed exposed applications to meet local market challenges. We developed our board to optimize aesthetic requirements, application methodology as well as provide the best performing thermal insulation for the South African climate.
| Principal Applications and Agre’ment Certificates | |
|---|---|
| Principal Applications | Agre’ment Certificate |
| Nail-up Ceiling | 2006/323 |
| Over Purlin | 2001/287 |
| Over Rafter/Truss | 2010/382 |
| Inverted Roof | 2000/277 |
| Cavity Wall | 2000/276 |
| Under Floor Slab | |
| Under Soffit | |
| Retro fit solutions | |
| Cornice profiles | |
The Most Versatile Thermal Insulation
Roofs
Heat gain in residential homes is largely through the roof structure. Insulated ceilings retard heat flow into the living areas in summer, and contain generated heat in winter, providing a comfortable living environment.
Walls
Cavity wall insulation will prevent summer heat transfer and build-up to the inner leaf of sun exposed walls. In winter, the thermal mass of the inner leaf retains generated heat. Moisture within the cavity is prevented from condensing onto and penetrating through the inner leaf when IsoBoard is installed.
Floors
Loss of heat through floors on concrete surface beds is experienced as a cold underfoot condition, particularly during winter when the supporting soils cool down due to hygroscopic action of water.
Retrofit
IsoBoard can be used to thermally insulate many existing buildings which require upgrading with respect to comfort levels or energy efficiency. IsoBoard is fitted to be installed as a ceiling, either beneath an existing ceiling, or between trusses or rafters.
Why Isoboard
New Building Regulations
As of November 2011, the National Building Regulations 10400 XA require mandatory interventions to reduce energy usage in buildings, for new builds and renovations.
Isoboard Contribution To Sustainability
IsoBoard has performed extensive modeling of various buildings to assess the level of thermal.
Why Isoboard
Works!
IsoBoard is one of the very few manufacturers to present AGED performance values for our products.
Our Partners
OUR PARTNERS
