XPS | 2" x 24" x 48" ($2.5/ft²)

XPS is the right call anywhere the insulation will face moisture, ground contact, or sustained load — below-grade foundation walls, under-slab applications, exterior continuous insulation over sheathing, and any assembly where the material might get wet or bear weight over time. Its closed-cell structure resists water absorption and holds its R-value in damp conditions, while its compressive strength stands up to backfill pressure or slab loads without crushing. For above-grade interior walls or areas with no moisture or load exposure, other insulation types (fiberglass, rockwool) are often more cost-effective.

It comes down to your target R-value. This 2" board delivers R10 per layer — if your assembly needs a higher continuous-insulation target, you'd either double up two layers of this board or step up to our 3" board for R15 in a single pass. Continuous insulation requirements vary by assembly type under the Ontario Building Code (SB-12) and NBC energy provisions, so it's worth confirming your target R-value with your designer — we're happy to help work through the numbers.

The main difference is compressive strength and water performance. XPS has a tighter closed-cell structure that gives it higher compressive strength (300 kPa in our boards), so it holds up better under sustained load — this matters for under-slab and foundation applications where the material may be supporting soil backfill or slab weight over the long term without crushing or losing thickness. XPS also absorbs less water over time, so it holds its R-value better in damp or buried conditions. EPS is typically less expensive and still performs well for many above-grade applications, but XPS is the stronger choice anywhere ground contact, moisture, or sustained load is a factor.

In practical terms, it's how much sustained load the board can bear before it starts to compress and lose thickness (and R-value) over time. For under-slab or foundation-perimeter installs, this matters because the board has soil, concrete, or structural loads pressing on it for the life of the building — a higher compressive rating means it holds its shape and thermal performance under that load instead of gradually flattening out. For interior or non-load-bearing wall applications, compressive strength matters much less.

Not as easy as the 4-foot board. At 8 feet long, this board covers more wall in fewer pieces — cutting seams and labour on larger runs — but the length makes it harder for one person to position, hold in place, and fasten without a second set of hands or temporary bracing. It's better suited to two-person crews or solo installers comfortable managing a longer panel against a wall or foundation face.

The difference is how adjacent boards meet at the seam. Square-cut edges butt flush, edge to edge, in a straight line — simple to manufacture and easy to trim on site, but the seam is left as a straight gap that needs taping or sealing to perform well. Shiplap edges have a stepped lip on one side and a matching groove on the other, so boards overlap at the seam instead of butting flush — this closes the gap that a butt joint leaves, cutting down on air movement and thermal bridging, and reduces or eliminates the need for seam tape. Shiplap also helps keep boards flush and aligned as they're fastened, since the interlock resists shifting. Square-cut is simpler and more flexible to trim; shiplap does more of the sealing and alignment work on its own, which is why it's the standard edge on our XPS line — fewer, longer seams on this board format means shiplap's air-sealing benefit matters just as much here as on the shorter board.