Your Questions Answered
How Strong Are QPODs?
At QPOD, one question we hear quite a bit is: “Are plastic void formers really that strong?” An it’s a fair question, because when we think of plastic, we might be inclined to imagine something lightweight or flimsy—not exactly the picture of a load-bearing foundation. But here’s the thing: QPODs are anything but flimsy. They’re built from recycled polypropylene (PP) and PET plastics, engineered for strength, durability, and ease of installation.
How do QPODs compare to traditional polystyrene poly pods in strength?
1. Material Composition and Density
Traditional poly pods are often made from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), which is lightweight and insulating but less durable under certain stress conditions. EPS has a compressive strength around 0.7-5 MPa (source ResearchGate), and while it holds up for distributed loads, it can break down under repeated or concentrated stress.
QPODs, however, are made from plastic, which is known for a higher tensile strength (PP: ~30-40 MPa, PET: ~50-70 MPa) (source PubChem). This makes them resilient under both concentrated and distributed loads, providing a robust foundation that won’t degrade over time.
2. Environmental Durability
EPS is sensitive to moisture and UV exposure pre-concrete pour, which can lead to long-term weakening. In contrast, plastic is much more resistant to environmental stressors, ensuring your QPODs maintain their strength even in challenging weather conditions or under moisture exposure. This durability is especially critical for foundations in areas with fluctuating weather, as QPODs are designed to last without breaking down.
With that strength question in mind, how easy are QPODs to walk around on onsite?
Unlike traditional poly pods, which can sometimes crumble underfoot, QPODs are designed to create a stable, walkable surface for builders to move around on quickly and confidently. Our team specifically engineered QPODs with Kiwi builders in mind, creating a foundation that can support speedy without risking structural instability.
QPODs are delivered in sets of four, making the combined structure even stronger. To showcase their strength, and whilst our pods are stringently tested with specific testing equipment, nothing quite beats a visual, so here’s a video of one of our production team members showing off some moves on a single QPOD—imagine the strength multiplied when they’re delivered as a set of 4!
In Summary: Why Choose QPODs?
When it comes to building a reliable, resilient foundation, QPODs provide significant advantages over traditional EPS poly pods. Built to withstand heavy, dynamic loads and to be environmentally durable, QPODs are a solution that combines strength, safety, and sustainability for the kiwi build.