A well-designed residential home envelope reduces energy costs, extends durability, and keeps your living space comfortable throughout the year. It serves as the first line of defense against weather extremes while maintaining consistent indoor temperatures. By integrating high-performance insulation, homeowners and builders can boost thermal efficiency, minimize moisture issues, and reinforce the overall structural integrity of the home.
Understanding the Building Envelope
The building envelope is the protective barrier between a home’s interior and the outdoors. It balances thermal insulation, air sealing, moisture control, and durability to keep homes comfortable across various climates. A high-performance envelope is essential for occupant well-being and extending a building’s lifespan.
A key part of this envelope is the thermal envelope, which includes insulation and air sealing elements to regulate indoor temperatures. It involves walls, floors, roofs, windows, and doors working together to reduce heat transfer. By limiting air leakage and boosting insulation, a well-designed thermal envelope stabilizes indoor air quality and temperature while lowering energy use.
Why Choose EPS for the Building Envelope?
Alleguard’s expanded polystyrene (EPS) solutions deliver excellent insulation, moisture resistance, and durability—ideal for creating a robust residential building envelope. These products support energy efficiency, sustainability, and compliance with modern energy codes, offering a reliable and cost-effective choice for construction projects.
Walls
Continuous wall insulation is critical for enhancing a home’s energy efficiency and overall comfort. By using high-quality insulation, homeowners can minimize heat loss, reduce air leakage, and maintain a steady indoor environment. Alleguard’s rigid board insulation products—such as SilveRboard® and Envirosheet—provide continuous coverage and help prevent thermal bridging. Advanced wall assemblies like Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) go a step further by integrating insulation directly into the structural frame.
SilveRboard® Continuous Insulation
SilveRboard® EPS rigid board insulation increases thermal performance with a reflective facer, reducing energy transfer and boosting insulation effectiveness. By covering framing members, SilveRboard® reduces air leaks and maintains a continuous layer of insulation.
Suitable for both new construction and retrofit projects, SilveRboard® is available with either a micro-perforated film to allow moisture vapor escape (preventing mold or mildew) or a non-perforated film for greater moisture control. Its low density and flexural strength also provide flexibility for curved walls.
Envirostrap
Envirostrap is an EPS rigid foam insulation that includes integrated furring strips, simplifying installation for above-grade exterior walls. By removing the need for separate strapping, it speeds up setup for finishes like siding or stucco. This design helps lower installation costs, reduce air leakage, and improve energy efficiency.
Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS)
An EIFS assembly consists of a high-performance EPS core combined with a base coat, mesh, and finish coat. This method delivers continuous insulation, excellent compressive strength, and superior water protection, ensuring structural integrity in various climates.
Amvic™ Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)
Amvic™ ICF provides high R-Values, enhancing insulation and improving energy efficiency. Its structural strength also offers resilience against extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or seismic activity. In addition, ICF buildings often see lower heating and cooling costs, better soundproofing, and strong fire resistance.
AmBuck™: Energy-Efficient Block-Outs
AmBuck™ is a prefabricated EPS block-out system for creating precise, energy-efficient window and door openings, as well as end walls in ICF construction. Its factory-cut design speeds up installation, reduces labor, and preserves insulation continuity to limit thermal bridging and air leakage.
Roofs and Attics
Proper roof insulation is vital for maintaining energy efficiency and comfort. Alleguard’s rigid roofing solutions, including SilveRboard® and Envirosheet, provide continuous insulation that reduces heat transfer and strengthens the overall structure. For ICF homes, Amdeck offers an integrated roofing approach by combining insulation and structural support.
Non-Perforated SilveRboard®
Non-perforated SilveRboard® is an additional insulation layer that increases vapor resistance in interior cavities. Used alongside batt insulation, it further enhances a building envelope’s performance and helps maintain a controlled indoor climate.
Envirosheet
Envirosheet is a cost-effective, lightweight roof insulation solution. Its ease of handling and installation lowers labor expenses while maintaining durable, long-term insulation performance.
Tapered Roofing Insulation
Alleguard’s EPS-based tapered insulation system improves drainage on flat and low-slope roofs. By minimizing standing water and associated damage, it extends roof life and preserves consistent insulation coverage, helping maintain the building’s energy efficiency.
Learn more about Tapered Roofing Insulation
Amdeck Insulated Roof System
Amdeck integrates seamlessly with ICF walls to form a continuous, fully insulated concrete building envelope. This system offers an alternative to conventional roofing, lowering energy consumption and enhancing indoor comfort throughout the year.
Basements and Foundations
Envirosheet for Interior Foundation Walls
Envirosheet provides a cost-effective insulation option for interior basement walls. It enhances comfort by reducing heat loss, keeping basement areas warmer and more energy-efficient.
High-Density SilveRboard® for Exterior Frost Walls and Below Slab
High-Density SilveRboard® is designed for below-slab applications, offering strong moisture resistance and lasting durability. By blocking ground moisture and preventing thermal bridging, it supports both foundation stability and energy savings.
Amdrain Foundation Insulation
Amdrain combines insulation and drainage to protect foundations from water intrusion. By channeling water away from the foundation, it lowers the risk of moisture buildup. Amdrain can act as the main or secondary capillary break, depending on whether a drainage membrane is also in use.
Amvic™ ICF for Below-Grade Applications
Amvic™ ICF is ideal for basements and foundations, offering high thermal mass and insulation to help stabilize indoor temperatures and reduce heating costs. Compared to traditional poured concrete, ICF basements often provide better durability, flood resistance, and moisture control.
Garage
Ampex Radiant Floor Heating
Ampex is a high-performance radiant hydronic heating panel designed for slab-on-grade and garage slabs. Its distinctive nub configuration secures PEX tubing in various directions, promoting even heat distribution and eliminating hot or cold spots. It works with all boiler systems and any floor material.
SilveRboard® for Garage Walls
SilveRboard® is an excellent insulation choice for attached garages, helping lower heat loss and enhance overall thermal performance. By offering continuous coverage, it reduces thermal bridging and helps cut energy costs in adjacent living areas.
Walkways and Driveways
Ampex Radiant Floor Heating for Snow and Ice Melt
The Ampex system can also melt snow and ice outdoors, boosting safety and accessibility during winter. Warm water flows through PEX tubing set within insulated panels, reducing the need for shoveling or chemical de-icers. This even heat distribution also helps preserve outdoor surfaces for the long term.
About Alleguard
Alleguard’s EPS solutions enable you to construct durable, high-performance residential envelopes that prioritize energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. By incorporating these products, builders and homeowners can achieve robust insulation, effective moisture management, and dependable structural performance.