What Do I Cover Styrofoam Insulation With?

Indoor Walls

• If you are using Styrofoam insulation on indoor walls, a common covering material is a layer of drywall. This drywall can be painted in order to give your walls depth and texture. You may also decide to coat your foam insulation boards with plaster, or potentially with a layer of compatible paint directly on the foam board.

Roofing

• Styrofoam insulation is also used in a number of roofing projects, where it protects rooftops from moisture damage and helps keep heat from escaping or entering the house. In this case, the foam is used most often on flat roofing or roofing in post and beam construction. The foam is covered with plywood and shingles, or a similar combination of roofing layers.

Flooring

• Styrofoam also works well with flooring, especially flooring that benefits from extra insulation like wood board or laminate coverings. In this case, the Styrofoam is used as a substrate and is then covered with another subfloor material, like cement board. Tough foam board layers are also used to help level a floor in preparation for concrete surfaces or tiling projects.

Below Grade Insulation and Outdoor Use

• If you are installing the foam board in below-grade areas like basements, you do not need to cover them with anything, especially if you are not planning on using the basement area as a regular room of the house. If you are using the Styrofoam insulation outdoors, you may be able to cover it with a layer of stucco.