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with regard to cost, thermal efficiency and durability, would a slab on grade or a crawl space system be the better option? i will insulate between the joists if it was a crawl space.
any suggestions!
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As a remodeling/repair contractor I like seeing crawlspaces. A slab will be cheaper but future plumbing repairs or changes will be impossible or at least costly. I've got a rental townhouse on a slab and had a pipe break in the slab. Never could find it even with specialized listening equipment. Had to rerun all the plumbing in the place. Thank goodness for open floor trusses!
*Where are you located?Crawl has advantage e menitoned, but more likely to have mold/dampness etc issues.Don't put ductwork in/under slab.Soil types can affect the choice.
*bob, telling you my location might not help, i'm from ireland. but thanks for the reply!
*Eddie,One thing to think about is future tecnology. It's much easier to run new wiring or pipe in existing walls/existing construction when there's a good crawlspace and/or an attic space. I can't help being a little anal in this area as I'm a low voltage contractor... alarm work mostly. When you want that new alludium Q38 electronic spatial holographic modulator that's gonna be out in a few years, the crawl will make it easier to do a clean intsall.Bill Smith
*well then, whats the best way to construct and treat a crawl space for damp and vermin and ventilation?also, what is a good height for the crawl space, without putting the house up in the sky?any suggestion's appreciated
*> , what is a good height for the crawl spaceCode requires 18" from dirt to joists, 12" from dirt to girders, or more. Go with about 4" more than the code minimum, 22" and 16", and you'll have a crawl space that's relatively easy to work in.-- J.S.
*I agree with the problems cited about slabs. even putting a plastic vapor barrier under the concrete, I still think there is a potential moisture problem in a wet climate. Personly, I hate small crawl spaces, having spent too much time on my back doing repairs. I think the deeper, the better. I like to be able to have plenty of room to crawl, not slither like a snake.Brent
*I am a firm believer of slab on grade. I like that solid feeling under foot, also they fact nothin can freeze or the pesty possumn will not be making a nest in the insulation. also no bugs, termite,snake, dead animals, moisture, odors. BUT the main fact is, when I come home tired instead of climbing steps I can drag my feet right in to my chair. The only setback is mainly a pipe braking within thirty years in the slab, thats why the wrap is code to keep concrete from eating copper.
*Eddie,One more item to consider is heating expense. I assume it gets cold in Ireland. Depending upon the foot print of your building the heating cost (includes crawl space if you go that route) could be 20% higher. Our house's foot print is 2700 sq ft we are out in the country so we rely on propnae instead of natural gas (if I do it again I would go with a geo thermal system). In short our heating expense is much higher than desired eventhough the house is well insulated and sealed. We are somewhat heating a 32" high crawl along with 108" high living space. The insulation does not go in floor joist to prevent pipes from freezing. Instead crawl space is insulated with foam insulation along all exterior walls.
*should i put a plastic barrier underneath the floor structure?any suggestion's guy's?
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with regard to cost, thermal efficiency and durability, would a slab on grade or a crawl space system be the better option? i will insulate between the joists if it was a crawl space.
any suggestions!