Pre-finished aggregate insulation panels

[NUTTSGT]

Anybody has any experience with these things ?

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...ted-aggregate-foundation-panels/p-1458145.htm

I've seen them at Menards, of course you could tell from the link, and at first thought they were kinda goofy. Seeing as it's winter here, I'm honestly thinking about these things.

The rear of our house is built on a block crawl space and it has about 2 1/4 block showing. I figured I could dig down a few inches (not in frozen ground), bury it part way, and attach it to the concrete block at the top. I can bend up a small piece of coil stock to create a lip under the siding and over the top to keep water from making it's way behind it.

As far as being garage related, if they work good, they could be used around some the garage foundations seen here. I know there are several garages built with the grade dropping off at the back and sides. For those of us in the colder climates, I would think the exposed concrete foundation would act as a big heat sink, drawing heat from the floor and making it harder to heat the garage or maintaining the temp.


So, that being said, anybody use these or have anything they want to throw into the conversation ?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Hmmm nobody ?

 

[socapots]

As long as they will be ok with moisture on the buried section.

 

[rburke65]

No.....no experience with them. Sorry

 

[boo coo tracks]

Can you use blue foam insulation as backer? Small thickness, I try to insulate every thing in order to get my money back.

Tracks

 

[boo coo tracks]

Sorry I didn't realize the panels were already insulated.

Tracks

 

[Nowater]

Be aware that the ground temperature average closely matches the mean annual air temperature. Where the insulations ends, heat transfer will resume. Do you have any chance to insulate the entire crawlspace on the inside? You could insulate vertically inside with say 2" foam boards depending on their fire resistance, and a section of foam board flat to delay the temperature gradient from outside to inside the crawlspace.

How about a termite barrier?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is it just for decorative purposes or are you trying to improve the insulation ?

It you are trying to improve the insulation, I would install 2" foam board down to the frost line and then those panels.

 

[Red05GT]

We worked on some prefab bank buildings years ago that were shipped in from Florida
with a similar finish. Its been 30 years and they still look good. I think those would work
great for what you are wanting to do. The price point per sq. ft. of material is good for
the insulation and finish in one package. The break metal over the top is a good idea.
I used some of Menards synthetic stucco a couple of years ago and found it to be as
good as Dryvit brand and a better price. Go for it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

As long as they will be ok with moisture on the buried section.

Sorry I didn't realize the panels were already insulated.

Tracks

Yes, I would think they would be okay, I've seen them at Menards. They are basically expanded polystyrene (XPS) with a stone facing. Same stuff used for under concrete floor pours.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Be aware that the ground temperature average closely matches the mean annual air temperature. Where the insulations ends, heat transfer will resume. Do you have any chance to insulate the entire crawlspace on the inside? You could insulate vertically inside with say 2" foam boards depending on their fire resistance, and a section of foam board flat to delay the temperature gradient from outside to inside the crawlspace.

How about a termite barrier?

I put about an 1 1/2" on two of the crawl space walls, east side and part of the south wall. The west wall (prevailing wind) can really be done, it has a small section added on that was a porch at one time. It has a small opening, which I can get through but at one time somebody dumped a bunch of old plaster chicken wire in it. It's all rusty and sharp, no damn way I want to be crawling about in there even with a tetanus booster or two.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is it just for decorative purposes or are you trying to improve the insulation ?

It you are trying to improve the insulation, I would install 2" foam board down to the frost line and then those panels.

Mostly trying to insulate, more or less, just trying to gain a little of insulation value, help keep the floor warm on that side of the house. . .dining area and our bedroom. Using this stuff makes it look better than just some pink XPS.


Adding the 2" below ground would be a great idea to add to these panels. Makes me think about doing this even more.

 

[NUTTSGT]

We worked on some prefab bank buildings years ago that were shipped in from Florida
with a similar finish. Its been 30 years and they still look good. I think those would work
great for what you are wanting to do. The price point per sq. ft. of material is good for
the insulation and finish in one package. The break metal over the top is a good idea.
I used some of Menards synthetic stucco a couple of years ago and found it to be as
good as Dryvit brand and a better price. Go for it.

Awesome, that's what I was hoping to hear.

 

[Riverside]

If you are able to do stucco work, you could buy 4x8 sheets of foam, cut and glue them to the wall, then stucco over. It would probably cost less and still look good. Getting the foam below ground level will be important if good insulation is your goal.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you are able to do stucco work, you could buy 4x8 sheets of foam, cut and glue them to the wall, then stucco over. It would probably cost less and still look good. Getting the foam below ground level will be important if good insulation is your goal.

I'm no stucco guy and I think I'll pass on learning it for now.