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INSUL-TARP

ROJOHO
ROJOHO Member Posts: 8
in THE MAIN WALL
good suggestion about using rigid foam on the edges. I am also dubious about the R-10 rating insul-tarp gives itself. I will probably use it for all the other reasons, since in this area winter cold is so brief.I wonder if anyone makes a similar but thicker product.

Comments

  • ROJOHO
    ROJOHO Member Posts: 8
    INSUL-TARP

    I'm considering using INSUL_TARP instead of rigid 1" foam under a 4" radiant heated slab-to-be. R-10, and 1/2" thick makes it atractive, even at 43 cents per square foot. Despite eventual compression, it may hold up to installation and pour abuse better than rigid insulation. I'm not sure whether it is a good idea to fold it up against the perimiter foundation or just use rigid instead in those places. I'd like to hear of any actual installation experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly!
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,385
    I'd call it

    more like a R3 or maybe 5. After all it is only 1/2" thick!

    The edges of the Insul Tarp have at least an inch- inch and a half hem with no insulation. Turning this up for edge insulation would be a bad idea, I think.

    I think the rigid foam in 1-1/2" or 2" is a better choice for edges.

    Insul Tarp does provide a better moisture barrier than foam sheets.

    It doesn't break up when used over uneven ground, like foam does.

    I feel it has a much better insect repellent ability with the aluminum layers inside. Bugs won't chew on it because the aluminum hurts their fillings :)

    Of all the soft foam products I like the InsulTarp best. It doesn't depend on just the bubble like some other brands. It has several layers of closed cell foam, also. The outer layers of poly makes for a very durable job site product.

    The 12 by 50 foot rolls sure do cover a lot of real estate in one quick swipe!

    It's that nagging question of actual R value and how much the aluminum surface reflectivity adds to the performance. And how long will the bubbles last under thousands of pounds of concrete?

    Ask again in 50 years or so :)

    hot rod
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Steve Eayrs
    Steve Eayrs Member Posts: 424
    If this stuff ends up taking over......

    the job of underslab insulating, I'm going to miss using the foam staples in the 2" board. It sure has been a time saver. Hate the idea of going back to having to tie the tubes off again. I think we have been using mostly the foam staples for at least the last 6-8 or so years.
    Steve
  • Jeff Lawrence_20
    Jeff Lawrence_20 Member Posts: 8


    Here in Georgia, we have to be careful about using foam under slabs because it's a superhighway for termites. If I do use it for underslab insulation, I make sure (in writing) that the homeowner knows to keep the house under a termite bond.

    I've used both Insultarp and another product, Slab Sheild. The slab shield is supposed to be ASTM rated and won't lose it's R value while under the weight of concrete.

    Here's the link to Slab Shield:
    http://www.thermopan.com/products_thermolow-e.htm
  • John Jr
    John Jr Member Posts: 210
    Clip-Tie

    Steve, talk to hotrod and get yourself a clip tie. I tie the ends and my father who is 62 does the rest. He waits until I have 6 or 7 loops tied before he starts and is done before I finish tying in the loop.

    John Jr.
  • ROJOHO
    ROJOHO Member Posts: 8


    I checked the web site and found that 'slab shield' is rated at R-25!...called the manufacturer and they clarified that it is rated R-2.5...a typo. I also found out that they don't have a distributor in California. I've been trying to find out what the criteria are for the ASTM R-value...does anyone know?
This discussion has been closed.

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