Insulating Existing Concrete Floor

Most modern buildings have insulation built into the floor structure.

Insulating existing concrete floor.

Super insulating an existing floor may pose problems with room heights in many buildings. Insulating the floor in a renovation or conversion is challenging but even more important as it is unlikely that there is adequate insulation in the existing sub floor. The best way to insulate a slab is to isolate it from the ground. Overlap the seams of the vapor barrier by 6 inches and secure the seams with.

There are two ways to handle insulating concrete floors. As the barn had been converted in the mid 1980s and had been a swimming pool it is very unlikely that there is any insulation in the floor. Most modern homes have a solid floor for example. Insulating a concrete floor can save you money on your heating bill making an attached garage or basement warmer and by extension the rest of your house.

In older houses this insulation layer may be missing from concrete floors and it is definitely worth thinking about adding some if your home is feeling cold. Where concrete floor slabs have replaced earlier floors they may include a damp proof membrane dpm but unless laid comparatively recently they might not be well insulated. Typically the insulation would be situated below the slab and below the damp proof membrane for heavy duty use whilst normal domestic buildings would have a higher performing lower compressive strength material above the slab. Concrete is cold and hard but an insulated concrete slab can make a heated garage significantly warmer and more energy efficient.

Insofast is a diyers dream a simple way to install insulation needing only a hand saw utility knife and caulking gun. Insofast s insulation panels provide an easy way to insulate a cold concrete floor. The concrete floors of most modern houses should all have been insulated during construction normally using a thick layer of dense polystyrene laid in sheets between the hardcore base and the finished surface. The panels can be applied to every surface from floors to walls to ceilings.

Or as demonstrated here you can cover the slab with rigid foam insulation add two layers of plywood and then add the finish flooring. Insulation is laid on the concrete and covered with a screed. You can attach wood sleepers to the floor fill the gaps with rigid foam insulation and then apply your finish flooring. Insulate existing concrete floors 1 cover the entire floor with a vapor barrier such as 6 mm polyethylene sheeting.

In addition to offering insulation and energy savings the plywood subfloor described here can provide the perfect foundation for finish flooring such as carpeting adding warmth in look as well as in feel. If your concrete floor is for industrial or heavy duty applications then any insulation you use needs to have a high compressive strength to take the weight of whatever is above.