PU foam types

PU foam: versatile and proven

The first construction foams appeared on building sites in the early 1970s. Today, there are special foams that have been optimised for almost every specific purpose. For instance, there is assembly foam that is particularly suited for use in cold weather. Here is an overview of the most important types of PU foams.

Quality properties of construction foam

What distinguishes a good construction foam? It all depends on what you want to use it for. Here we present the quality criteria on which the European Standard EN 17333 is based.

One product – many names!

PU foam is not only versatile, it also has many names. We made a list of all the common names for you and show you which foam types should not be confused.

Window foam

And wherever windows are installed, you can bet PU foam is not far. Today, about 80 percent of all windows in Germany are insulated with PU foam. Learn about what distinguishes a good window foam.

Frame foam for interior doors

Doors should absorb day-to-day impacts without wobbling. There is special frame foam that is used to attach door frames.

1C PU foam – the number one

Around 80 % of PU foam cans sold in Germany contain 1-component foam.

PU adhesive foam for bonding and insulating

As the name suggests, PU adhesive foam is designed to adhere. It is primarily used to attach thermal insulation composite systems (TICS).

Winter foam

Winter foam also works even when it is ice cold.

Well foam

Well foam adheres concrete rings of well shafts making them watertight.

2C PU foam – the hard one

The 2C PU foam is much stronger than 1C construction foam. It hardens very quickly and evenly.

B1, B2 and B3-PU foam and fire protection foam

Construction foams that were developed as low-flammable PU foams for filling and sealing joints are usually simply called fire protection foams. Find out more.

Filling foam

Filling foam closes hollows spaces quickly and efficiently.

MDI-reduced foams

MDI-reduced foams, or MDI-free PU foams arrived on the market at the start of the 2000s. Find out here what this means.