Insulating Existing Concrete Floor

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.

Insulating existing concrete floor.

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. Most modern buildings have insulation built into the floor structure. 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. 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.

Most modern homes have a solid floor for example. Super insulating an existing floor may pose problems with room heights in many buildings. Concrete is cold and hard but an insulated concrete slab can make a heated garage significantly warmer and more energy efficient. Insofast s insulation panels provide an easy way to insulate a cold concrete floor.

Insofast is a diyers dream a simple way to install insulation needing only a hand saw utility knife and caulking gun. Insulate existing concrete floors 1 cover the entire floor with a vapor barrier such as 6 mm polyethylene sheeting. The best way to insulate a slab is to isolate it from the ground. 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. 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. 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.

Avoid covering the floor with impermeable insulation materials or rubber backed carpets as they ll trap moisture. Overlap the seams of the vapor barrier by 6 inches and secure the seams with. 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. You can attach wood sleepers to the floor fill the gaps with rigid foam insulation and then apply your finish flooring.

There will be a damp proof membrane under the insulation and possibly a second membrane on top depending on the type of screed. Insulation is laid on the concrete and covered with a screed.