I have tried to find info on this but could not. can anyone recommend weather it would be worth it to put some insulation, blue board? around the perimiter of the house? that seems to be the coldest part , if that was kept warmer, the house would be much more comfortable. since i can reach underneath the slab will it do any good to just do the outside.? i would dig down around a foot or so and run it right up to the framing. what do you think??
thanks for your responses…
Frank
We were the winners, cause we didnt know we could fail….
Waylon…
“I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.” Aciores autem morsus sunt intermissae quam retentae. (Freedom suppressed and then regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered.) Cicero, De Officiis ” once i had woman with high hand, and i let her treat me mighty low man, she made a lover of my best freind, and now he treats me like a hasbeen…”
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From your bio I assume you are living in Atlanta - If so, this is an area of high termite infestation (the southeastern US).
The last thing you want to do is install foam beneath the soil and insulate the foundation up to the framing. This will give termites an expressway to the framing in your house. Use you dollars wisely and add additional insulation to the attic where the highest heat losses occur.
yes i am in atlanta, thanks for the info on the termites. i did insulate the attic last year, must be r 50 up there... but the downstairs is still very cold, even in this moderate climate. was simply trying to do the cheapest to save the most money. thanks...FrankWe were the winners, cause we didnt know we could fail....
Waylon...
"I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him."
Aciores autem morsus sunt intermissae quam retentae.
(Freedom suppressed and then regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered.)
Cicero, De Officiis
" once i had woman with high hand, and i let her treat me mighty low man, she made a lover of my best freind, and now he treats me like a hasbeen..."
You can get borate treated bead board (white) for burried use and there might be other type of insulation that are terminte resistant.IIRC correctly you want to go down at least 2 foot. You can also put it horizontally, but just under the ground.Do a google on frost protected shallow foundation to see the concept.
Even with the borate treatment - I would have concerns. Tests have shown that the borate treated EPS may only slow the termites down.
Energy Source Builder #43
You could use an Insul-tarp type of insulation if you are in a temperate zone. Check Heatinghelp.com for discussions by radiant professionals. They either hate it or love it.