Replies

1. 
   rjw | Dec 27, 2003 06:58pm | #1

   I'm sure you'll get some good responses -(and some differences of opinion).

   Until they start coming - try doing a forum search for -- slab insulation --

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2. 
   andybuildz | Dec 27, 2003 08:45pm | #2

   Whats on the floor now over the slab...carpet?

   Maybe running sleepers with foam between them and then plywood would warm things up.

   If you can afford it add coils (radiant heat) between and through the sleepers.

   Thats guarenteed to warm things up! You could use 5/4 stock sleepers.

   Just means you'll have to cut a buncha doors down.

   You sure theres enough insul in your attic ?

   Be warm

               andy

   My life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   wyowolf | Dec 27, 2003 09:04pm | #4

   the main rooms are carpet and vinyl. i would like to do the radiant thing, but its kinda out of my budget now, what about electric radiant in the kitchen, will the slab suck all the heat away from it? and was thinking about blown cellulose in the attic, it claims it will seal the "leaks" better...??

1. 
   andybuildz | Dec 27, 2003 09:42pm | #6

   Blown in cellulose would be my first attempt at warming things up.

   Be sure to overfill the attic area.....in other words over the ceiling joists.

   You can rent the blower and do it your self if your so inclined. I've done it numorous times. Its no big deal.

   Be well

                andyMy life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

2. 
   DavidThomas | Dec 27, 2003 11:55pm | #7

   "what about electric radiant in the kitchen, will the slab suck all the heat away from it?"

   You'd be getting the whole kitchen slab area warm, but not much beyond that.  It is only 1/2" up to the flooring where the heat enters the room air.  And the 3.5" of concrete below will also get warm.  At a lower rate, heat will conduct into the soils below.  But the next room over, 1 or 2 feet away is not going to take many of the BTUs in comparison.

   If you don't mind differing floor heights, thin insulation and one of the retrofit RFH flooring systems would give you a warm floor for a lot less BTU/KWHs.  Quicker response, too.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

3. 
   DavidThomas | Dec 27, 2003 09:02pm | #3

   You could retrofit insulation around the perimeter of the slab.  Up here, a foot depth of 2" poly-iso ("blueboard") that comes to the top of the slab.  Covered on the vertical outside with 1/4" plywood (PT plywood if there are termites in your state).  Then a Z-folded galvanized metal flashing.  That covers the 12" of vertical, jogs in 3" over the top of the foam and under the siding and 2 or 3" under of the siding.

   Obviously, you'd have to dig all around the perimeter and remove the bottom layer of siding to get the flashing under.  Some people don't bother with the plywood or flashing but then it looks ugly and doesn't take physical hits very well.

   Alas, you can't retrofit UNDER the slab.  The vertical perimeter is the most important, followed by the horizontal perimeter of the slab (maybe one 4" sheet in on all side). 

   You could retrofit electric cables into the current slab, but electric RFH is more expensive to operate and you'd really rather have the whole thing insulated underneath to save the KWHs needed.  But you presumably would be using it only to take the chill off the floor, not to heat the house.  The not as many BTUs/sq ft would be needed.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
1. 
   wyowolf | Dec 27, 2003 09:12pm | #5

   thanks dave, that was what i kinda was thinking, just wanted to know if it was going to do any good after all that digging...