Insulating Existing Concrete Slab Floors

Less common is a third method.

Insulating existing concrete slab floors.

Insulating concrete garage floors begins with covering the entire floor with 6 mil polyethylene which will serve as a vapor barrier. Once again a thinner insulation such as vacuum insulation may be a more cost effective or more practical option in the long run. The average residential load bearing code requirement for floor system is 40psf. Overlap the seams of the vapor barrier by 6 inches and secure the seams with.

The best way to insulate a slab is to isolate it from the ground and the air around it by insulating under the slab and around its edges. Insulating a concrete floor can save you money on your heating bill making an attached garage or basement warmer and by extension the rest of your house. Once the basement is prepped choose an insulation to reduce heat loss and moisture transfer from the slab. In climate zones 4 through 8 the most common locations for insulation are at the perimeter of the slab installed vertically and under the slab installed horizontally.

Although building codes differ by region builders typically use r5 and r10 insulation under the concrete slab but floors insulated with r20 contain the heat in your basement far better than those insulated with lower r values. Insulate existing concrete floors 1 cover the entire floor with a vapor barrier such as 6 mm polyethylene sheeting. If however you are insulating on top of an existing slab then you will need to consider things such as whether you need to replace or remove skirting boards door jamb heights ceiling heights etc. Run the polyethylene up the sides of the walls 3 to 4 inches and secure to the walls with construction tape.

However even a newer slab insulated with r 20 may not be adequate depending on a few factors including the type of. Buried horizontal or sloped wing insulation installed around the exterior perimeter of the building to raise soil temperature. In addition to offering insulation and energy savings the plywood subfloor described here can provide the perfect foundation for finish flooring such as carpeting adding warmth in look as. That s not always possible especially in existing.

Such spaces typically have a sound level concrete slab floor but lack sufficient floor insulation to achieve the thermal performance targets for new habitable rooms. Depending on the use of the building the slab can then be finished ready for use or receive a screed suitable for a floor finish. Overlap the seams about 6 to 8 inches and seal the seams with waterproof construction tape.