How To Insulate Under An Existing Concrete Floor

Where concrete floor slabs have replaced earlier floors they may include a damp proof membrane dpm but unless laid comparatively recently they might not be well insulated.

How to insulate under an existing concrete floor.

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. The panels can be applied to every surface from floors to walls to ceilings. There will be a damp proof membrane under the insulation and possibly a second membrane on top depending on the type of screed. Where floors do include a dpm and show no evidence of moisture laying a floating wooden floor or thermal underlay with a carpet on top is often the easiest means of improving their thermal performance.

But when adding insulation to an existing slab the vapor barrier is laid over the top of the slab before the foam insulating panels are installed. Insulating a concrete floor alternative options. Dealing with the edges the foam insulation and two layers of plywood can add as much as 2 inches of height to the garage floor. Most modern homes have a solid floor for example.

Step 1 excavate the area under the slab to 12 inches below the planned level of the top of the slab. 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 well as in feel. Insulate existing concrete. The method shown above is the best way to insulate a concrete floor without digging it up and laying it again with insulation added below the finished surface.

Insulation is laid on the concrete and covered with a screed. This allows an area for insulation and fill material under the slab. Insofast s insulation panels provide an easy way to insulate a cold concrete floor. Place it into the space between your existing floor joists relying on friction to hold it in place.

Insofast is a diyers dream a simple way to install insulation needing only a hand saw utility knife and caulking gun. Up to 80 of heat loss in a floor slab occurs around the edges. The first thing to consider when looking into different types of concrete floors is why it s so important to insulate the floor slab. Check out this article for a list of slab edge insulation solutions and episode 125 for my interview with henry edney of maxraft.

Insulating a solid floor. Add wire insulation hangers as needed to ensure a more secure hold. 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 higher performing lower compressive strength material.