Anyone insulate a floor?

[Joevano]

Hey guys, newbie here.

Just got an accepted offer on a house with a 30'x40' insulated, heated, wide open detached garage.

It's primary use will be for motorcycles.

I've got a couple months before it is mine but am working hard on planning the finishes, flooring, cabinets, etc.

Since I live in MN, and the floor is not heated, I wonder about putting down foam panels and a new floor surface of some kind.

Crazy or not?

 

[Le Mancave]

It's not a bad idea but I think you will need more support than just the foam. Maybe plywood on top, and then fasteners that go through the plywood and foam into the concrete.

 

[Jose G]

check outside if the concrete slab is insulated, if not, dig and put pink foam all around the slab with tuck tape. Inside, you dont really need to insulate it unless you want to get laid directly on the floor..

 

[Eslader]

I'm in the same boat as you Joevano - new-to-me house and planning the garage. The house I'm in now has a heated/insulated garage. The pad is not insulated, and the heater is technically undersized for the size of garage. And the insulation wasn't very well done in the first place.

The floor hasn't been an issue. The garage gets warm within 20 minutes or so, and stays that way long after I turn the heater off.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not crazy, but I don't the right answer either.

Maybe rip some PT 2x4 down to a true 3" and build a 2' grid. Even with 3/4" plywood on top I would think the weight of a car would make it sag.

 

[rburke65]

Don't think that has ever been done before!.........ah yes.....probably a good idea.

 

[impala_631]

You can insulated the Parmenter of the slab with insulation boards to help out,i think insulating on top o f the slab could be a potential fire hazard as the foam is very flammable and toxic when it burns

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

You don't say what part of MN; extreme southern MN or International Falls, MN.

What do you want to do with the garage? Use it for a while. Don't finish the floor for a while. If you find the floor warm enough ... finish the floor.

If you find the floor isn't warm enough, why not jack hammer the existing concrete floor out, do the right thing with the dirt/sand, put vapor barrier in, put the 4" of foam down, lay the pex in, pour new concrete, and hook up the hot water source.

By the way ... anyone who buys a different house with a 1200sf insultated and heated garage deserves a YOU ****!

Nice score.

PS: Before you put anything on TOP of the concrete ... check to make sure you have a vapor barrier underneath the concrete. When was this detached garage built?

 

[Joevano]

Oh yea? Well you're a ****!

Leaning toward PVC tiles. Nice look and a little warmer.

 

[hemiredneck]

My inspector told me to put 2x8x2" foam panels laying flat around the inside perimeter for frost protection. Also put same foam on outside up against foundation before backfilling. It's all about keeping the frost from creeping in from outer walls. Of course this has to be done before floor is poured.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My inspector told me to put 2x8x2" foam panels laying flat around the inside perimeter for frost protection. Also put same foam on outside up against foundation before backfilling.

Depending on where you live, 2" may not be enough of the foundation.

Also, the foam should go as the "frost line".

Of course this has to be done before floor is poured.

Actually the perimeter/foundation insulation can be done retroactively. Obviously more work.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you heat the garage all the time, the concrete will absorb the heat and become a nice radiant source of warmth.