From: gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house misc.consumers.frugal-living misc.rural
Subject: Re: Basement concrete floor installation - your opinion re: insulation?
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 01:05:34 -0000
Originator: gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston)

In article <1118329999.972813.102790@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
  wrote:
  [ ... ]
>We are installing a concrete floor in a 17x33ft basement of a
>residential building located in Pennsylvania, in order to convert it to
>a more usable space. There is currently bare dirt floor in the
>basement.
  [ ... ]
>What are some of the cost-effective ways to seal and thermally insulate
>the concrete floor, to keep it warmer and prevent condensation and
>humidity buildup? Can concrete be poured over some sort of insulation?

I suggest you dig out the floor at least 8", put down 4" insulation,
and pour 4" of concrete on top of that. Slab houses, at least locally,
are routinely poured over insulation. Not only does it help eliminate
the cold floor and condensation issues, it saves on heating costs. If
you need more height, just dig a bit deeper, as long as you don't go
below your footings.

If you aren't alreay considering it, think about installing radiant
heat in the floor slab; there are tube-in-a-tube hot water systems that
use a larger diameter piece of tubing with a smaller tube which actually
carries the hot water slid through it; if you have a leak, pull out the
small tube, feed another one through, and attach to the heating system.

Seal the walls with hydrostatic paint, cover with vapor barrier, and
insulate to keep the ambient temperature more stable.

>Many thanks

Enjoy your extra space!


Gary

-- 
Gary Heston  gheston@hiwaay.net 
Did you hear about the people caught falsely advertising
Star Wars memorabilia?
They were charged with Bait and Sith.