Slab on grade / Discussions

...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...

...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

...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...

...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...

...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...

...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...

...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...

...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...

...Ontario which is  Georgian Bay.  I am an architect, interested in combining the Legalett system with either a thermal solar panel or thermal tubing.  I need advice and a better idea of what your services are.  I watched a video with Mike Reynolds from your company.  I have a few structural questions about the raft slab...

...on stilts. My second goal is to install concrete hydronic radiant floors. Does anyone have any experience with DIYing hydronic concrete slabs on stilts. How I would go about insulating underneath to avoid heat loss as the floor will be exposed to the elements being on stilts. Can the concrete floor be poured directly o...

...onally not consider building a house on a polished slab on grade in a cold climate without heated floors. Heat moves from warm to cold, your body is 37C, and concrete is highly conductive. all those variables mean your floor will suck the heat right from your feet. The sensation is less pronounced with less conductive ...

...on't have a rebar slab to ride it out up here in Iowa.  The site sits on top of a hill with great drainage, is why I'm considering this method. Thanks! There is no reason to excavate under a slab, and no, you would not find frost under a slab we built. Any slab foundation (frost protected shallow foundation) needs to b...

...one exterior foundation insulating because I have never seen a good looking and long lasting finish. Even parging on concrete only lasts so long depending on the methods and materials in application. I have always tried to use new form ply where it had to look really good. It is also the reason I have to done any styro...

...on rate of heat into concrete slightly, and perhaps even more than were you to run it through tubes. And that would be a far more simple manoever and much cheaper with about the same benefits likely. Important to note - this is not to rip on your idea here, the way I came to the conclusion that the benefits are not wor...

...ong. Most basements are not properly sealed against moisture, they are poorly insulated, and prone to rot due to the standard practices of basement construction. I would read here first on our pros and cons pages –  Choosing between a slab on grade and a basement, which is better and cheaper? Should you choose a home w...

...slab to the one below. Thanks, Keri   There are many ways to build a slab on grade foundation on sloped building lots, but doing three separate slabs isn’t necessarily the cheapest option. Did you specifically want a 3 level house or is that something you have chosen simply to adapt to the terrain? I ask this because i...

...on a slab on grade with a base of 6 inches of EPS foam insulation, which is also a sensible return on investment for energy efficiency given the cliimate. You can see a time lapse video of it here –  Solar air heated slab on grade time lapse install video  That slab has air tubes instead of hydronic and it is a raft sl...

...slab on grade be a problem without in floor heating?  We will just be putting a Woodstove in and don't want in floor heating but I'm concerned with moisture from the slab and having flooring over the concrete causing mould issues.    A polished concrete slab on grade, or any basement concrete floor, will feel cooler to...