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Design

The Passive House Build, Part 3: Superinsulated Slab

In this video, see the crew install a 10-inch-thick insulated slab assembly, which provides an R value of 50 in the floor system.

This Passive House has a 10-inch-thick insulated slab assembly made of layers of expanded polystyrene rigid foam set below the concrete, which provides an R value of 50 in the floor system. A poly vapor retarder is put over the foam base before the concrete slab is poured on top.

Watch the videos and read the articles in this series (links below), then head on over to GreenBuildingAdvisor.com to join the conversation with the designer of this house, Architect Steve Baczek.

All articles in this series:

“The Passive House Build, Part One: Designed for Success” (FHB #240)
“The Passive House Build, Part Two: Air-Sealed Mudsill Assembly” (FHB #241)
“The Passive House Build, Part Three: Superinsulated Slab” (FHB #242)
“The Passive House Build, Part Four: Framing for Efficiency” (FHB #244)
“The Passive House Build, Part Five: Installing High-Performance Windows” (FHB #245)

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Videos in the Series

  • The Passive House Build, Part 1: Designed for Success

    In this video architect Steve Baczek walks us through the process of designing and building a neighborhood home to meet the strict Passive House energy-efficiency standard.

  • The Passive House Build

    The Passive House Build, Part 2: Airtight Mudsills

    In this video, architect Steve Baczek demonstrates how to create an airtight mudsill, one of the most critical components to a Passive House.

  • The Passive House Build, Part 3: Superinsulated Slab

    In this video, see the crew install a 10-inch-thick insulated slab assembly, which provides an R value of 50 in the floor system.

  • The Passive House Build, Part 4: Framing for Efficiency

    Double-stud walls and trusses create the ideal shell for an economical and efficient building.

  • The Passive House Build, Part 5: Installing High-Performance Windows

    Because a Passive House's primary source of heat is the Sun, site conditions, build quality, and installation methods are all key factors to consider.

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About This Video Series

Built to meet the world’s most rigorous standard for energy-efficient construction, a Passive House uses about one-tenth the energy of a similarly sized code-built house, a feat accomplished by carefully harmonizing countless design and construction details. At the time of this writing, just 71 houses have earned the Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) certification. Watch the videos and read the articles in this series (links below), then head on over to GreenBuildingAdvisor.com to join the conversation with the… More about this Video Series

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