Dow says that its new Styrofoam Duramate extruded polystyrene insulation can be "stomped, bashed, pinched, bent, soaked, or frozen" while still maintaining its strength and performance. The 4x8 and 4x9 insulating panels are available in 1/2-in., 3/4-in., and 1-in. thicknesses, with R-values of 3, 4 and 5. To create the added durability, Dow added a protective facer film to the surface of the board.

The company says that it put the product through a number of tests to gauge its toughness. In one test, they laid the insulation horizontally over a 2x4 stud wall, then dropped a four-pound steel ball from a height of three feet into the center of the unsupported part of the insulation. The ball repeatedly bounced off of the board without cracking it.

Contact: Dow Chemical