GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Insulating Slab on Grade and Basement

JamesBoy360 | Posted in Green Building Techniques on

Hi there, we are currently renovating a 1954 sidesplit in Toronto Canada (Believe this is Zone 6A). On the main floor, there is a 6″ slab which doesn’t have any insulation or poly below. Likewise, the basement is similar, but only has a 3″ slab. We have had to cut channels in the existing concrete slab and will need to pour the new floor for the addition.

We are now looking to insulate both floors. The plans has been to use the following:

Concrete > 2″ EPS (Amvic Silverboard) with Tuck-Taped seams > 3/4″ plywood T&G tap-conned > 3/4″ Hardwood or tile. In the basement, we would sub the hardwood for laminate.

In the basement, our walls will be 10″ Block Foundation > 2″ EPS Silverboard > 2×4 with R14 Roxul > Drywall sitting on top of the subfloor.

Some questions:
1) Do I need to worry about bathrooms flooding etc. and have some type of airgap below the foam (esp in basement)?
2) Will there be any issues with tile cracking over the plywood subfloor? I understand that I will need to use a decoupling membrane and lots of tapcons, but am concerned that it will flex or move causing cracks in the tiles.
3) Any concerns with putting the subfloor over recently poured concrete? I can’t leave it to dry for months, but a week or so may be possible.
4) Anything else I should be concerned about?

Thanks in advance for all your help – I have learned so much on this site.

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |