Slab on grade / Discussions

What foundation is best for a cottage on an island?

...ondensation ? Does it create condensation problems? does it help with insulation / change the insulation options? 3. Is there a way to have a slab foundation is more economical in the amount of materials needed? Thanks A slab on grade foundation would be my preference over building on piers for a few reasons, namely yo...

Posted by Ben Barr Aug. 11, 2025 Foundation choices 1 response

Geothermal and slab on grade - which is the best mechanical option for heating and cooling?

...slab-on-grade house using ICF walls and SIP roof.  We are trying to decide on the best mechanical options that would address heating and cooling and be integrated with a geothermal loop.  Any suggestions would be great.  Thanks

Posted by Paul Heyer May 17, 2025 Heating and cooling

How do you run ducts for heating and cooling with slab on grade construction?

...slab on grade foundation - or frost protected shallow foundation - is a great alternative to a standard foundation, and they work in all climates, contrary to what a lot of people think. This page is a great start for all things slab related - How to buid a slab on grade foundation - the Ecohome A to Z guide You open u...

Posted by Kurt Piemonte April 24, 2025 Slab on Grade 1 response

Can I connect a new slab addition to an existing (engineered) slab on grade?

...slabs (connected or touching) with 1 building on both slabs? There should be no reason that you couldn't attach a new slab on grade foundation to an existing slab provided the existing slab is not showing signs of frost heave or significant cracking. This page should help- How to build a slab on grade - a comprehensive...

Posted by Corey Porteous April 9, 2025 Slab on Grade 1 response

What are the best below grade drainage layers for a slab on grade foundation?

...slab on grade foundation starts with building it on a suitable base that won't heave and that has sufficient drainage. First I would read this page - How to build a slab on grade foundation: the Ecohome step by step guide We can advise you on the best practices for building a slab on grade, but you would still need a d...

Posted by stephan prystanski April 7, 2025 Slab on Grade 1 response

What is the proper way to build a Slab on Grade Foundation?

...one 4b. I would like to build a Slab on Grade foundation. Reinforced concrete perimeter footings approximately 12" x 40" deep, and a 4" thick concrete slab on top of 2" rigid insulation. This will be a monolithic pour. The top of slab will be approx 12" above the soil. I plan to isulate the outside face of the perimete...

Posted by John Schureman March 25, 2025 Slab on Grade 3 responses

Crawl space versus slab, which is better?

...slab on grade constuction with passive floor heating would rule out the use of a heat pump. Also I would question your depiction of crawl spaces as damp and moldy. In a previous house I built with ICF walls the crawlspace was warm and dry. My main reason for considering a crawl space is I would like everything on one l...

Posted by Doug Bennett Jan. 5, 2025 Foundation and basement improvements 1 response

How do you insulate a basement slab to keep the benefits of thermal mass in a passive solar home?

...on where the inside of the foundation stem walls are insulated and the rest of the horizontal part of the foundation is foam insulation mon on the bottom followed by 4" of AB topped with 5" of concrete? From what you describe above, no, your stem walls will not offer any thermal mass heat regulation, but your slab will...

Posted by Trudy Lynn Oct. 25, 2024 Passive solar home design 1 response

Can you build slab on grade as an extension on an existing house with a crawlspace?

...slab on grade for a 20 by 14 room extension on a main house with Poured concrete dirt floor crawl space.  Yes, you can pour a slab on grade as a frost protected shallow foundation directly adjacent to a house with an existing foundation. You would need to have it properly engineered of course a good possible solution i...

Posted by Lana Mcgeary Jan. 19, 2022 Slab on Grade 2 responses

How would you do a Slab on Grade with a post and beam garage in New Hampshire?

...on a concrete pillar below the frost line, how would you integrate the Slab on grade with that construction? There isn’t a case where we would suggest going below the frost line with frost walls for a slab on grade, we prefer to to stay on grade and install a skirt of insulation around the perimeter of the building. On...

Posted by Robert Nordman Jan. 19, 2022 Slab on Grade 1 response

What are the pros and cons of building a house on a slab on grade foundation?

...slab on grade will be more durable and resilient than a basement. The only reason a slab would crack and damage a house is if it isn’t properly made. Assuming you don’t build on a flood plain, a slab will also not flood. With a basement, you can take measures to protect it, but there will always be at risk of flooding ...

Posted by Debra Kroening Jan. 5, 2022 New foundations and slab-on-grade 6 responses

How do you attach steps to slab on grade insulation?

...slab on grade, but these are not sold separately, they are a feature offered the company if you have them provide an engineered slab on grade foundation kit. Alternatively with a hand-built slab on grade foundation, you can remove a few inches of insulation where door openings will go to allow concrete to pour over it ...

Posted by Mary Alm Dec. 2, 2021 Slab on Grade 3 responses

What is the best way to build a slab on grade foundation?

...on, which then lends itself to the constant problem of erosion unless the backfil is contained in a crib of some sort.  Also, in order to save on costs building the shop, can I vary the slab thickness to accomodate different loading or do I have to pour one massive slab? I have a 12 tonne truck in one area, footprints ...

Posted by Earl Williams Nov. 30, 2021 Slab on Grade 3 responses

What flooring goes over a radiant heated floor?

...onstrution. A heated floor can have a detrimental effect on some types of flooring, but there are many options. Is this a concrete floor? The easiest way is to just to polish it, a polished concrete floor is durable and affordable, and there is no problem if its heated. It’s more a problem with solid wood, the extreme ...

Posted by dave levy Nov. 29, 2021 Flooring and stairs 1 response

What experience do you have with techno piles?

...on helical piles.  It is fairly common to find expansive soils such as leda clay in the Bas Saint Laurent region so I’m wondering if that was what steered you in the direction of building a home on piles. Another option to explore – what we like for ecological reasons among many other reasons – building a raft slab on ...

Posted by Rob DesBaillets Aug. 26, 2021 New foundations and slab-on-grade 3 responses

What is the best way to install slab on grade insulation?

...slab EPS foam insulation is nothing compared to the labor required to switch to an entirely different method of insulating. I would first point you to this page -  Slab on grade technical guide We have other pages on slab construction as well that are worth looking at, you can find them if you enter slab on grade in th...

Posted by paul fowler Aug. 26, 2021 Slab on Grade 3 responses

Can you leave a Legalett slab in winter in Canada without the heat on?

...Ontario (Zone 6A). We want heated slab on grade but are concerned about preventing seasonal issues in winter. Legalett systems look very good especially their air radiant system. The question for us is what happens in winter when we are away for a few weeks? We'd need to keep heat on? At what level? Would pipe size in ...

Posted by Gamog Cladhaire April 29, 2021 Slab on Grade 3 responses

What thickness of insulation and concrete do you recommend in a floating slab?

...slab with footings. The contractor is suggesting 2 inches of insulation and 3 inches of concrete, which seems too little base on what I have read. What do you recommend the thickness to be for the insulation and the concrete for the slab and radiant floor system? Thank you. If you install only 2 inches of insulation un...

Posted by Marc-Andre Roy April 21, 2021 Slab on Grade 3 responses