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A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

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Spray foam and rigid foam were used under the slab while rigid foam wraps the exterior of the foundation walls.

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Right – R-20 of XPS and polyiso rigid foam were added on the slab shelf that is part of this precast foundation wall system.

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New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Exterior Rigid Foam Insulation at the Edge of a Slab Foundation, Fresno, California

Case Study

Case study describing application of exterior rigid foam insulation on a foundation system.

Right – The raised slab foundation has a 3-ft stem wall of filled concrete block, then is back-filled with compacted dirt and crushed rock, then insulated with 1” rigid foam covered with taped vapor barrier, under a floor slab.

Right – The raised slab foundation has a 3-ft stem wall of filled concrete block, then is back-filled with compacted dirt and crushed rock, then insulated with 1” rigid foam covered with taped vapor barrier, under a floor slab.

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Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

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Right – After installing the insulated concrete foundation wall panels, the builder installed underslab rigid foam, which was topped by 4 inches of crushed rock then the poured slab.

Right – After installing the insulated concrete foundation wall panels, the builder installed underslab rigid foam, which was topped by 4 inches of crushed rock then the poured slab.

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This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

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This assembly can be used to thermally isolate heated or partially heated garages with slab foundations from the exterior in multifamily row houses/townhouses in IECC Climate Zones 3 and higher.

This assembly can be used to thermally isolate heated or partially heated garages with slab foundations from the exterior in multifamily row houses/townhouses in IECC Climate Zones 3 and higher.

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Between the ICF foundation walls, the builder sprayed closed-cell spray foam directly onto the gravel base to provide a vapor barrier and continuous layer of insulation under the slab.

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The foundation walls are ICF block providing two continuous layers (R-23) of insulation around the slab, which will sit on an additional 4 inches (R-20) of low-VOC EPS foam.

The foundation walls are ICF block providing two continuous layers (R-23) of insulation around the slab, which will sit on an additional 4 inches (R-20) of low-VOC EPS foam.

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Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and slab insulation

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Post-tensioned slab-on-grade with exterior and slab insulation

Post-tensioned slab-on-grade with exterior and slab insulation

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Slab Edge Insulation

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Slab-on-grade with masonry stem wall and interior and slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with masonry stem wall and interior and slab insulation

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Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and under slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and under slab insulation

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Slab-on-grade with integral grade beam and exterior and slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with integral grade beam and exterior and slab insulation

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Pouring the slab

Pouring the slab

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Insulate a monolithic concrete slab above the slab with rigid foam

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A monolithic concrete slab is insulated on the exterior slab edge with rigid foam

A monolithic concrete slab is insulated on the exterior slab edge with rigid foam

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Well insulated slab

Well insulated slab

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The basement slab is wrapped in a blanket of insulation including R-27 of closed-cell spray foam under the slab and R-22 ICF blocks wrapping the slab edges.

The basement slab is wrapped in a blanket of insulation including R-27 of closed-cell spray foam under the slab and R-22 ICF blocks wrapping the slab edges.

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Residential Buildings: Foundations

Reference

Website describing the U.S. Department of Energy's residential buildings program.

Slab Happy, BSI-059

Reference

How hard can it be to insulate a flat sheet of concrete? I mean you only have three choices – on the top, on the bottom, or on the edge. OK, you might have some combination of the three as well.

Technology Fact Sheet Slab Insulation: Improve Comfort and Save Energy in Homes with Slab-on-Grade Floors

Reference

Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.

The slab edge of this floating slab and the stem wall are insulated to thermally separate the conditioned living space from the garage

The slab edge of this floating slab and the stem wall are insulated to thermally separate the conditioned living space from the garage

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Slab-on-grade termite control techniques

Slab-on-grade termite control techniques

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Foundation Design Handbook

Reference

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Slab-on-grade with integral grade beam with exterior insulation

Slab-on-grade with integral grade beam with exterior insulation

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Rigid foam is installed behind the brick veneer and at the slab edge and perimeter to thermally isolate the concrete floor slab from the stem wall

Rigid foam is installed behind the brick veneer and at the slab edge and perimeter to thermally isolate the concrete floor slab from the stem wall

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