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...

...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...

...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...

...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 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 ...

...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...

...aution). Aside from that, you can make some calls to local builders to see what types of homes they construct and ask a few basic questions to get a feel for their level of knowledge. What questions to ask when choosing a Green builder? Below are a few good questions to start with , and many of the answers you shou...

...at most brands of spray foam insulation have high greenhouse gas emissions. Read here about how to find more environmentally-friendly spray foam with lower emissions . A tiny home built on a slab on grade that isn’t going to have to move is a better idea than one that does move, but the reality is that a lot people a...