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Insulation for slab foundation

shurkai

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Dec 23, 2009
Messages
34
Location
Up-state NY
Beginning my garage build shortly, due to space constraints 20'x24', with a slab foundation. I am looking for suggestions on how best to insulate the slab (NE winters). Planning on forced air heat Thanks!
 
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astroracer

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Jun 22, 2005
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Mid_Michigan
Depends on what you are doing.
Heated at all times during the cold months?
In-floor radiant heat?
Forced air furnace?
Just trying to get an idea of what you need. The different styles of heating will heat the floor differently so knowing what your plans are will help us, help you.
Mark
 

ConCretin

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Jan 20, 2011
Messages
3,379
Location
Central Maine
Check out my Guide to Floor Slabs in the link below for more information but the answer to your question depends;

If the structure is detached, unheated and the soils are reasonably well draining, you don't have to insulate at all. Just let the structure 'float'

If you want to protect the slab from frost movement, you can insulate under the slab and extend the insulation out or down a distance equivalent to your frost depth.

If the structure is heated - especially with in-floor radiant, 2" of rigid insulation are typically placed under the slab and ideally at the slab edges. This insulation is primarily for heating efficiency but I'd also install the extra insulation around the outside of the structure to keep the frost from working its way under your slab and to protect the structure in the event the heat is turned off.

Hope that helps and Congrats on the new garage
 

joe--h

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Jan 30, 2013
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536
EPS with borate, keeps the ants from carrying it off.

Joe H
 
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astroracer

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Jun 22, 2005
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Mid_Michigan
With forced air and 24/7 heat I really wouldn't worry about insulating it. The warm air in the shop will keep the slab relatively warm which will keep the frost out from under it. The floor will always be "cool" but, unless you are doing radiant there is no tangible heat loss thru it. Like LLWillysfan said, make sure it is well drained and you will be okay.
My 30' x 48' was built in '85 and has been heated 24/7 since '95 with no insulation under the slab. Zero issues with any frost heave.
Mark
 

K'ledgeBldr

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Aug 22, 2011
Messages
1,925
Location
Johns Creek, GA
Are you referring to a mono slab or a floating slab within a stem wall foundation? The illustration is a stem wall foundation (typical) with insulated slab. A mono slab is somewhat the same but the perimeter of the whole foundation slab is surrounded by a "skirt" of insulation.

http://buildingscience.com.678elmp0...lt/files/migrate/jpg/BSI059_Figure_01_web.jpg

I'll assume that you're in Zone 7- the frostline for upstate NY is 5 to almost 6'. That would certainly be quite the foundation. What does the AHJ allow?
 
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