Home Garden
# Home & Garden >> Building & Remodeling >> Building Materials & Supplies

What Kind of Insulation to Put Under a Slab in a Garage?

Rigid foam board insulation is installed underneath slab on grade construction to reduce heat loss through the floor. There are two basic methods for installing insulated foam boards under a concrete slab. These boards are made from spray foam insulation with Styrofoam and other insulating materials. Other types of insulation are not used underneath concrete slabs since the weight of the slab would crush them and significantly reduce their insulating ability.

  1. Rigid Foam Insulation

    • Rigid foam insulation comes in boards made from a dense foam that is resistant to water damage. The density of the material used in this type of insulation has a higher R-value per inch than other types of insulation. This rating measures the insulation's ability to reduce the conduction of heat between two objects. Rigid foam insulation typically provides an R-value between 4 and 8.7 per inch of thickness. If the soil around your garage is frequently damp, the insulation can lose its integrity, making it susceptible to crushing. Installing a moisture barrier between the soil and the insulation will help protect it from moisture damage.

    Methods

    • Foam insulation boards are installed beneath the concrete slab of your garage before it is poured. This type of insulation increases the temperature of the floor and helps your garage retain heat during the winter. In existing garages without insulation below the concrete slab, you can add foam board insulation to the foundation walls. This will reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the sides of the concrete slab. Before the slab is poured, you can add insulation between the fill material and concrete slab and between the slab and the foundation wall.

    Benefits

    • If your garage has south-facing windows, its concrete slab will absorb significant amounts of heat during the day. An insulated garage floor will release more of the heat it absorbs into the open space of your garage at night. Installing insulation will also increase the effectiveness of an in-floor heating system and help prevent liquids from freezing on the floor. Installing insulation beneath the slab will also protect it from weathering and insect damage.

    Considerations

    • You can install insulated foam boards before the concrete slab in your garage is poured. For an existing slab, you will need to excavate the areas underneath the edges of the slab and around its sides. You should add enough insulation to provide an R-value between 10 and 12. Rigid foam insulation is flammable and requires a fire-resistant coating if it is installed on the sides of your garage's foundation wall.

Previous:

Next:

Building Materials & Supplies
  1. What Kind of Slats to Use Under a Mattress?
  2. What Kind of Insulation Is Best Around a Built-In Dishwasher?
  3. What Kind of Gravel Should I Put on a Sloped Driveway?
  4. What Kind of Tray Should I Put Under the Freezer?
  5. What Kind of Art to Put in a Bathroom?
  6. What Kind of Pictures Should I Put in My Living Room?
  7. What Kind of Cement Do I Need for a Concrete Slab?
  8. What Kind of Insulation to Use for Outside Ductwork?
  9. What Kind of Caulk Should I Use on Rigid Insulation Sheathing?
  10. Can I Put Board Insulation Under Drywall?
  11. What R-Value of Insulation to Use for a Garage?
  12. What Kind of Insulation in the Attic Is the Brown Insulation?

Home Garden © https://www.98905.com