Do it Yourself: [DIY] Re: Insulating a shed floor?

24 July 2014

[DIY] Re: Insulating a shed floor?

Posted by: "carmen s." mom2mini@bellsouth.net

>The shed goes up next week by the Home Depot shed crew.
> It will be a floor over a concrete slab.
> I've seen the foam 4 by 8 sheets used.
> Is it necessary to have two layers of the foil-faced foam
> insulation sheets with a 1/4 inch space between?

Hi Carmen

An air space is needed if the foil on the insulation
is to work as radiant insulation. However, in your
climate (North Georgia) where heating is not a big
issue, and cooling can be, insulating between the
slab and the living space, may be counter productive.
It would have been nice if you had insulated around
'the perimeter, either down the foundation all, or out
from it, in an insulation apron. As is, with a deep
ground temperature in the 60s, you definitely do not
want to insulate most of the slab. If you do insulate
it, only insulate the perimeter 2ft. But, that would
require building a new floor on top of the slab, and
if insulation is your only reason for it, it would not
be cost-effective, especially for a space that is not
primary living space. There are far more effective
ways to spend your money. If the slab were not
already poured, I would recommend installing rigid
foam insulation, first. As is, I recommend either
staining the concrete floor, or using a flooring that
can be applied directly to the concrete, but not
carpet, since carpet on a slab is often a mold farm.
You can even do well with a floor paint, either plain
or fancy. And, since it is a hobby space, you might
do well, making the painting or staining of the floor,
one of your hobby projects.

-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Design and
Solar Heating/Natural Cooling/Energy
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