How to build a slab on grade / Guides

...as a 'monopour', where the footing and slab are poured at the same time. Here are the basic steps for slab-on-grade construction on soil that does not have a high water table and has sufficient compressive strength to carry the load of the building. For problem soils see our pages on raft slabs and building on proble...

...one by adding insulation - yep, we have a guide for how to insulate slab on grade floors when building, here . Why build on a slab instead of a basement? To save money and carbon emissions, and have a healthier and more durable house. For a detailed guide on choosing between a Slab on Grade or a Basement for a ho...

...alling drainage below the slab. Related slab on grade foundation pages: Slab-on-grade technical guide Building a thickened edge slab on grade with normal soil conditions Raft slabs on poor soil conditions to avoid excavating and soil remediation The following is a technical guide for slab-on-grade home co...

...about your slab; grab your beads and head to church for confession. Is a slab on grade or a crawl-space better on poor soil or high water tables? flooded crawlspaces are another great reason to choose a slab-on-grade foundation A slab foundation is better . Remember – a crawl space is a mini basement, aka a h...

...slab-on-grade foundations Why insulate under a slab on grade foundation? For comfort, and to save money, that's why! In many areas Building Code has fallen behind common sense on what specification of insulation to use under a slab , It is common to install as little as R5 insulation below slab floors, making that ab...

...slab-on-grade floor on a site with a high water table. Images courtesy of Yanni Milon. Drain placement for slab on grade with high water table Drain placing with gravel and geotextile under a slab on grade foundation Placing gravel for draining slab on grade with high water table A raft slab acts a ...

...about your slab; grab your beads and head to church for confession. Is a slab on grade or a crawl-space better on poor soil or high water tables? flooded crawlspaces are another great reason to choose a slab-on-grade foundation A slab foundation is better . Remember – a crawl space is a mini basement, aka a h...

...assive solar slab-on-grade construction Slab-on-Grade Construction is best if: Slab on grade polished concrete floor © Bala Structures A slab floor is a fantastic way to start a passive solar home , as your entire floor surface consists of several inches of thermal mass to absorb heat. A slab is a great place...

...adiant floor tube installation and episode 1 of our green home building guide, how to build a passive solar home . Read more about Ecohome's LEED V4 Platinum Edelweiss House , Passive solar home design , Passive House contruction , how to build slab on grade on bad soil , and anything you need to know about sustainab...

...ase. Sand works as well; it takes a layer of about 4 to 6 inches to be safe. As mentioned above, a slab on grade is not at any greater risk of frost heave than a basement, full stop. Read more here – Choosing between a slab on grade and a basement . You can build a basement right or wrong, you can build a slab right ...

...onal life. An example of a carbon intensive home component would be a basement; the foundation for an average-sized house may require anywhere from 10 to 30 tons of concrete, releasing between 10 and 30 tons of carbon into the atmosphere. Yes, one ton of concrete results in one ton of green house gas emissions, and i...