Insulated Solid Floor Construction

These sections deal with in one way or another the values called u values which a home should be insulated to and the energy which is saved by implementing this insulation.

Insulated solid floor construction.

Insulating a solid floor. Insulated foam sheets are also used as an insulated sheathing underlayment for exterior siding. The studs conduct more heat than the insulation between them. The panels provide a continuous energy efficient surface.

Insulation is laid on the concrete and covered with a screed. The building regulations backstop target u value for ground floors is 0 25w m2k which should be easily achievable with 75mm or 100mm thick rigid insulation boards laid over the surface. A typical way of constructing a solid floor would be to provide a base of hardcore with sand blinding with a layer of concrete over that. This eliminates thermal bridging which is the energy lost through wall studs.

Renovation of more than 25 per cent of a solid or suspended floor involving the replacement of screed or a timber floor deck would have to meet the standards required by the building regulations approved documents. In a solid or ground bearing because it is continuously supported by the ground across its whole area concrete floor the choice of insulation position relative to the concrete slab is commonly linked to the building s heating system. Heat loss thermal insulation there are three general types of ground floor construction. Most newer properties will already have solid floor bases constructed directly below a room especially on the ground floor.

Insulation under ground floor slabs is a good way of meeting the increased requirements of parts l f of the building regulations. There will be a damp proof membrane under the insulation and possibly a second membrane on top depending on the type of screed. For solid concrete floors make sure that if they need to be replaced your builder puts in insulation you have to insulate a floor when it is replaced in order to comply with building regulations. Read more about changes to thermal elements in the external walls section.

If the floor is a ground floor provide resistance to. Polyurethane pur is a more effective insulator than expanded polystyrene eps meaning a thinner board can be laid to achieve the same results. Solid floors are insulated using rigid insulation foam which can be fitted either above or below the concrete. Most modern homes have a solid floor for example.