North America – Residential Slab

No Sweat Slabs

Insulating under or over slabs (including radiant-heated designs) helps reduce the potential for condensation or "sweating," reduce energy loss and increase the comfort of the home's occupants. And to reduce the potential for mold, it's critical to insulate slabs that will have floor coverings.

With rugged STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene Insulation, insulating under the slab before the concrete is poured/placed can be a "no sweat" proposition. Even after the slab is in place it's still not too late to add energy-efficient, moisture-resistant STYROFOAM™ Brand Insulation.

U.S.

Project Specifications	Recommended Dow Solutions
Insulate under basement slab or concrete slab of living areas Reduce potential for condensation and mold High compressive strength Learn about high-load slab solutions from Dow
	Scored at 16" and 24" on center Easy to snap to convenient widths Square edge 3/4" -3" thicknesses 25 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand SCOREBOARD™ Insulation
	Square edges on all four sides 3/4"-4" thicknesses Two board size options 25 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge Insulation
	Interlocking fit 3/4"-2" thicknesses Three board size options 25 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand Tongue and Groove Insulation
	Enhanced Installation Learn more about weatherization	GREAT STUFF PRO™ Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant⁽¹⁾ FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant
Insulate over basement slab or concrete slab of living areas Reduce potential for condensation and mold High compressive strength Learn about high-load slab solutions from Dow	Scored at 16" and 24" on center Easy to snap to convenient widths Square edge 3/4" -3" thicknesses 25 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand SCOREBOARD™ Insulation
	Square edges on all four sides 3/4"-4" thicknesses Two board size options 25 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand Square Edge Insulation
	Interlocking fit 3/4"-2" thicknesses Three board size options 25 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand Tongue and Groove Insulation
	Slotted board edges accommodate nailing strip for ease of attachment 1-1/2", 2.0" thicknesses 15 psi	STYROFOAM™ Brand WALLMATE™ Insulation
	Enhanced Installation Learn more about weatherization	GREAT STUFF PRO™ Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant⁽¹⁾ FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant

Literature
Installation Recommendations for STYROFOAM™ BLUEGUARD™ Exterior Foundation, Interior Crawl Space, Under Slab (205KB PDF) ⁽¹⁾ Consult the label and Material Safety Data Sheet before use.

Canada

Project Specifications	Recommended Dow Solutions
Insulate under basement slab or concrete slab of living areas Reduce potential for condensation and mold High compressive strength Learn about high-load slab solutions from Dow	2' x 8' (600 mm x 2400 mm) boards 1"-4" thicknesses Butt edge and shiplap edge options 30 psi (210 kPa)	STYROFOAM™ Brand SM Insulation
	Enhanced Installation	GREAT STUFF PRO™ Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant⁽¹⁾ FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant
Insulate over basement slab or concrete slab of living areas Reduce potential for condensation and mold High compressive strength Learn about high-load slab solutions from Dow	2' x 8' (600 mm x 2400 mm) boards 1"-4" thicknesses Butt edge and shiplap edge options 30 psi (210 kPa)	STYROFOAM™ Brand SM Insulation
	Slotted board edges accommodate nailing strip for ease of attachment 2' x 8' (600 mm x 2400 mm) boards 1.5"-2.4" (38 mm-60 mm) thicknesses 16 psi (110 kPa)	STYROFOAM™ Brand WALLMATE™ Insulation
	Enhanced Installation	GREAT STUFF PRO™ Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant⁽¹⁾ FROTH-PAK™ Foam Sealant

⁽¹⁾ Consult the label and Material Safety Data Sheet carefully before use.

Literature

Below Grade Insulation: The foundation of effective energy savings (Canada) (536KB PDF)

Below Grade Insulation: The foundation of effective energy savings (French) (536KB PDF)

Dow can help you get to the bottom of your foundation insulation questions.