foam glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Professional
Quick answer
What does “foam glass” mean?
A lightweight, insulating building material made from a cellular, glassy substance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A lightweight, insulating building material made from a cellular, glassy substance.
Also known as cellular glass, it is produced by heating powdered glass with a foaming agent, creating a rigid, closed-cell foam with excellent insulating, fire-resistant, and water-repellent properties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences; 'cellular glass' is an equally common technical synonym in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical/industrial with no cultural or regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse; used almost exclusively in construction, engineering, and architecture fields.
Grammar
How to Use “foam glass” in a Sentence
[foam glass] is used for [purpose][verb] [foam glass] as [application][property] of [foam glass]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foam glass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The contractor specified to foam glass the underground pipes.
American English
- The design called for foaming glass around the roof deck.
adverb
British English
- The material performed foam-glass-like in the test.
American English
- The insulation was applied foam-glass-style.
adjective
British English
- The foam-glass insulation panels arrived on site.
American English
- They chose a foam-glass product for its moisture resistance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In construction supply catalogs and project specifications.
Academic
In materials science and civil engineering research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context; used in architectural plans, building codes, and insulation manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foam glass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foam glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foam glass”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a foam glass'); it is non-count.
- Confusing it with fibreglass or glass wool.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different materials. Foam glass is a rigid, closed-cell foam, while fibreglass is a fibrous insulation material.
Yes, it is often made from recycled glass and is itself recyclable, contributing to its use in sustainable building projects.
No, it is inorganic and completely non-combustible, achieving high fire resistance ratings.
Common applications include insulating roofs, foundations, walls, and industrial piping where moisture resistance and dimensional stability are critical.
A lightweight, insulating building material made from a cellular, glassy substance.
Foam glass is usually technical/professional in register.
Foam glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfəʊm ˌɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfoʊm ˌɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **foam** mattress, but made of solid, brittle **glass**. It's light and full of air pockets.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLIDITY IS POROUSNESS (for insulation); GLASS IS A PROTECTIVE BARRIER.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'foam glass' primarily used?