Insulating Concrete Floors Under Flooring

The first thing to consider when looking into different types of concrete floors is why it s so important to insulate the floor slab.

Insulating concrete floors under flooring.

Installing insulation prior to the pouring of a concrete slab floor improves the energy efficiency of the floor and makes it more comfortable. 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. Why it s important to insulate a concrete floor in the basement. Up to 80 of heat loss in a floor slab occurs around the edges.

An uninsulated or under insulated basement floor is a major source of heat loss in the home. Three key benefits of insulating the concrete floors in the basement are heat loss prevention moisture prevention and a higher level of comfort. 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. While you can apply insulation over the concrete slab that requires adding wood subflooring and other components that add to the cost and complexity of the project.

Insulation below the slab suits continuous low level heating gradually warming the thermal mass of the concrete and sustaining it at a consistent temperature. Or as demonstrated here you can cover the slab with rigid foam insulation add two layers of plywood and then add the finish flooring. If you live in a cold climate then you re no stranger to cold concrete floors in the winter. Check out this article for a list of slab edge insulation solutions and episode 125 for my interview with henry edney of maxraft.

Floorfoam is a 4mm dense foam foil membrane to be used under carpets laminate. If you re planning on finishing a basement or portion of your home that has a concrete floor then it may be a good idea to insulate it before installing basement flooring. Insulating a solid floor. Where the heating is likely to be turned on and off such as in new build domestic properties and a faster thermal response is required the floating floor arrangement of.

Insulation is laid on the concrete and covered with a screed. Most modern homes have a solid floor for example. There will be a damp proof membrane under the insulation and possibly a second membrane on top depending on the type of screed. If your concrete floor is for industrial or heavy duty applications then any insulation you use needs to have a high compressive strength to take the weight of whatever is above.

Ecotec floorfoam has a high reflective foil either side of the foam membrane. Typically the insulation would be situated below the slab and below the damp proof membrane for heavy duty use whilst normal domestic buildings would have a.