BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

Slab-on-grade foundation and safe room.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Right – The seam between the slab and the foundation wall is sealed with urethane caulk.

Right - Rigid foam insulation is installed along the exterior edge of an existing foundation slab.

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Spray foam insulation extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by cutting the slab to install drainage mat against the wall and a new perimeter footing drain, along with rigid foam plastic above the slab.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

The goal of foundation moisture management is to construct the basement, crawlspace, or slab in a way that keeps moisture from getting in in the first place

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

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.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Right – The slab is coated with two coats of epoxy paint to minimize moisture transfer through the slab from the ground.

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

Right – A sump pump with a perforated sump pit was installed in the crawlspace slab to reduce water accumulation under the slab

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Foundation Design Handbook

Author(s)

Carmody John,

Mosiman Garrett,

Handeen Daniel,

Huelman Patrick H,

Christian Jeffrey E

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

University of Minnesota

Publication Date

January, 2013

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.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Right - Basement with exterior XPS or EPS insulation and insulation under the basement slab.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

UAF Cooperative Extension Service: Radon Mitigation in Super-Insulated Slab

Publication Date

August, 2013

Author(s)

Benesch

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing radon precautions taken for a construction project in a high-risk radon area in Alaska.

A concrete slab floor can be elevated above local grade as a strategy to prevent flood damage.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Epoxy paint is installed to provide a moisture control layer on the surface of an existing basement slab

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Rigid foam insulation and a thin slab were installed over the dirt and gravel of this sealed crawlspace

The existing slab is retrofitted with epoxy paint, rigid foam insulation, sleepers (furring strips), and subfloor.

Publication Date

Sun, 06/01/2008 - 12:00

Right - Retrofit of an existing basement slab by adding dimple plastic mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

The existing slab is retrofitted by coating with epoxy paint, then installing rigid foam insulation and a floating subfloor.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

An uninsulated (or existing insulated) basement slab is retrofitted to reduce moisture transmission by sealing with epoxy paint.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 12:00

Right - This concrete basement wall is insulated on the interior basement walls with spray foam and under the slab with rigid foam; footing details are shown.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - The existing basement slab is retrofitted by installing a dimple plastic drainage mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - This poured concrete basement wall is insulated on the exterior and under the slab with rigid insulation; footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Rigid insulation and water control layers are installed on the exterior of a flat foundation wall; spray foam insulates the rim joist

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Potential locations for basement insulation in new construction, slab insulation should always be underneath, with walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) sandwiched inside, or (d) inside and outside of walls.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right – Two inches of rigid foam was installed on the ground before pouring the basement floor slab while precast, pre-insulated concrete panels comprise the basement walls.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance of Basement, Crawl Space, and Crawl Space with Cripple Wall Foundations

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Footing Drain Pipe

Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.

Structural system components of a basement

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Termite control techniques for basements, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon control techniques for basements, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Termite control techniques for basements, sill detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon control techniques for basements, sill detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete masonry basement wall with exterior insulation.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components in a basement, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components of a basement, sill detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Basement with interior semi-permeable XPS or EPS insulation.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components in a basement, single perimeter drain system, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - This concrete basement wall is insulated on the interior with rigid insulation; sill details are shown.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - The concrete basement wall is insulated on the interior with rigid foam; the footing detail is shown.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - This concrete basement wall is insulated on the interior with spray foam insulation; sill detail are shown.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - The concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall has exterior insulation; the footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Poured concrete basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the outside of the rigid foam.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Poured concrete basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon Mitigation in New Construction

Publication Date

August, 2013

Author(s)

Benesch

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing radon precautions taken for a construction project in a high-risk radon area in Alaska.