Grooved Polystyrene Slab Insulation

kevin coppinger_4

put the tubes in the insulation ???? better get it in writing if it does not work...show him the diagrams in the Wirsbo CDAM book....kpc

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Jed_2

Acceptable performance??

I am dealing with a Contractor who insists on using the grooved polystyrene insulation for the slab. I think this will reduce the performance of the heating system, and have told him so. I tried to find this product on Dow's web site, to no avail. Who makes this,and any info would be greatly appreciated. Restricting the thermal transfer potential of the tubing just doesn't sound right. Are there any numbers or thoughts on this. Also wondering on compressive strength of this product and tubing spacing design flexibility.

Thanks, Jed

Steve Ebels_3

What reason

What reason is he giving for wanting the tube buried in the insulation? At least that's what I think he's talking about. I've never seen or heard of a product like that to tell the truth. Neither do I have any idea what it would be useful for other than limiting the heat transfer to very narrow angle up from the tube. I guess I don't understand.

Jed_2

What reason

Steve, there is a polystyrene product on the market that has grooves in it to accept tubing, a la Warm Board. The reason? $$$. It's easier to install(no ties or clips), and they don't have to pull the tubing up, easier for the pour guys. But it's gotta retard transfer. I have not seen a prepared slab using this method, but I understand it is widely used around here.

Jed

Dave Jahnke

Beaver Plastics


Try www.beaverplastics.com.

kevin coppinger_4

the only....

thing might be the Schluter stuff....Becoteck, looks neat.kpc

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Ron Schroeder_3

gooved insulation

Is this for a slab on grade installation or on an elevated floor?

Jed_2

Slab on Grade

But, I got a sample of the stuff today, and the grooves are not below the top surface of the board; rather, formed in a raised plateau above the the top surface of the 2" board itself. I can live with that, even though it is in the lower 1/3 of the concrete when poured.

Jed

Weezbo

Jed. is the stuff Blue?

or white or orange? i am looking for some of the blue material for gypcrete floor installs... i think it is called poly therm it looks alot like the bekoteck white..how about a jpeg of it...thanks *~/:)

Ron Schroeder_3

polystyrene closed or open cell controversy

I was taught when I was but a lad, that open cell polystyrene is considerably more vapor permiable than closed cell. If this is true then open cell (of which the subject at hand is an example) would not be my first choice under a slab.

I was also taught that open cell polystyrene has about one half or the R value for a given thickness in comparison to closed cell. Here, ultimate sub slab thickness has to be considered when backfilling and compacting.

I was also taught that open cell polystyrene as we receive it here in BC has less compressive resistance so depending on the ultimate load of concrete, tubing, water, antifracture membrane, floor covering, furniture, appliances, and occupants perhaps this too has to be inserted into the equation.

Based on what I was taught I have instructed my clients, and others that have asked, to use closed cell polystyrene (pink or blue). Instead of molded grooves we tie down seven by ten foot sheets of 6x6 remesh and tie tubing to that. With a gentle lift of the wire during pouring the mesh and the tubing are encased within the slab.

Would someone please speak to this (mis)information? Perhaps I have been needlessly costing extra expense on the projects that I have influenced and perhaps there is a better way?