Slab-on-grade exterior threshold detail
I am beginning a DER of an old commercial building – our new workshop – in zone 6, northern NH. The framed floor on piers is first being upgraded with poured footers, CMU stemwall, and a slab on grade. EPS will be beneath the slab and along the inside of the stemwall. The wall is a deep double stud with an air barrier paper on the inner wall. The gap in sill plates where the exterior door will go is a detail I am unsure of how finish. How should the 8″ block, 3″ EPS, and slab floor be flashed and sealed with the door frame and threshold? Euro-style window install details often say “doors are similar”, but I have never found a good diagram for this application.
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Replies
Matthew,
Where are you planning too situate the door? Is it an innie or an outie?
Malcolm,
Wall depth is 12" to 14" (game day decision). Windows will be in-betweenies for thermal performance and weather protection. I would be inclined to handle doors the same way, but it somewhat depends upon what the detailing options are.
One idea I came up with last night would be to use a brushsweep seal on the door, shorten the block and EPS by 4", and pour a lightweight concrete (higher R) pad at the doorway. Even with lightweight concrete this is a themal bridge, but no additional threshold means rolling equipment in and out of the building would be simpler.
In swing doors need to be innies and outswing, outies if you want the doors to open flat.
Very good point (I feel foolish that didn't occur to me)! Exterior doors are outswing, so outies it is.