FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Tools & Materials

Energy Edge Form

Form and insulate in one step

By Michael Chandler

Slab-on-grade construction is a fast, affordable way to get out of the ground and into the house. Unless insulated properly, though, slab edges can be energy sieves. The traditional solution is to cover the slab edge with rigid foam and finish it with stucco. One way to speed the process is with an all-in-one product called Energy Edge.

Energy Edge is an ideal choice when the slab sits on top of a concrete-block stemwall because, assuming you put foam under the slab, it encapsulates the slab and removes the need to add foam to the outside of the foundation. Instead of setting up formboards, adding foam, pouring the concrete, and then stripping the forms, you set up the Energy Edge forms and pour. Done.

The top edge of the form is great for screeding the slab, so my concrete crew is happy. But the shiny surface that works for the concrete crew is a problem for the stucco people. I like to use hard-coat stucco to finish slab foundations because it is more durable and, in my area, much less expensive than synthetic-stucco coatings. The problem is bridging the two materials. Stucco won’t stick to Energy Edge’s smooth PVC surface.

Energy Edge suggests that a self-adhesive mesh be used to create a bond for the stucco. I’m hoping the company will decide to eliminate this step, instead offering a version of the product with a ridged exterior.

The company has entered an exclusive distribution partnership with CertainTeed, so I’m looking forward to seeing Energy Edge on the same delivery truck as the rest of my typical masonry and framing order.

Bottom line: Energy Edge promises to speed construction and keep heat in the house where it belongs. Expect to pay $4 to $4.50 per lin. ft.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Editor Test Results:

Overall RatingN/A

Manufacturer Specifications:

ManufacturerEnergy Edge
Manufacturer's Web Sitehttp://www.energyedgeform.com/
WeightN/A
DimensionsN/A

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Comments are closed.

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Reusable Flood Bags for Fast Bulk-Water Control

These bags from Quick Dam arrive compact and swell to form a protective barrier on contact with water.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Improve Home Efficiency With Inflation Reduction Act Rebates
  • Forming Foundation Walls
  • Podcast 481: Detailing a Slab, High-Performance Water Heaters, and DIY Dense-Pack
  • Podcast 477: Air-Sealing Electrical Boxes, 2x3s for a Shed, and Keeping Pipes From Freezing

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 481: Detailing a Slab, High-Performance Water Heaters, and DIY Dense-Pack
  • Podcast 477: Air-Sealing Electrical Boxes, 2x3s for a Shed, and Keeping Pipes From Freezing
  • Podcast 475: Material Delivery, End Dams on Head Flashing, and Sealing Barbara’s Barn
  • Working With Stone Wool Insulation
View All

Insulation

View All Insulation Articles
  • A man carrying insulated sheathing on a job site
    Sheathing and Insulation in One
  • Five-Rules-for-Wall-Design
    Live: The Wall Assembly Final Four
  • Sweet 16 website page with a bright blue background
    Live: The Selected Entries of the Wall Assembly–Sweet 16
  • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
View All Insulation Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in