[TheForge] insulated shop floor

[GHS]

Loktr at aol.com wrote:

> 
>In a message dated 3/28/2006 2:09:36 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
>theforge-request at mailman.qth.net writes:
>
>Soil is  a great insulator.  It's even better if it's dry.  Soil also has a  
>high thermal mass that will hold heat. We normally insulate only the perimeter 
> of buildings at the footing to below frost depth.  Below that, there is  
>very little value because of the ground's insulating value.  
>
>This  perimeter insulation can be vertical or horizontal.  If it's 
>horizontal,  it can extend inside or ouside the building line and works equally  well. 
>
>
>Walt,  How do you insulate horizontally?  My situation is that I  have two 
>layers of 4" concrete over three foot of sand.  I have had various  contractors 
>tell me: bubble, insulate with 1" foam, dont insulate insulate only  the 
>perimeter vertically.  I could not get the link to work either.
> 
>Ben
>_______________________________________________
>  
>
When I was writing I was thinking of horizontally under the concrete 
around the perimeter and also down beneath the the frost line vertically.

I was thinking of two slightly different aspects.
Going down hinders the ground beneath you from freezing,at the edge of 
the slab, and also insulates the edge of the slab.
Horizontally beneath the perimeter keeps the slab from contacting the 
coldest of the soil.

I would not be too worried about  a well drained base under the center 
of the shop as it is 1. not really very exposed to the cold air and 2. 
will be stronger over just a solid base of gravel. 3. Like it was said 
above well drained soil is a pretty fair insulator. Especially when you 
are dealing with the moderate soil temps under the center of the shop.

What ever you spend on insulation you will recoup in money spent on heat 
. I am not even considering increased comfort and the increased winter 
production that goes along with it.

Mike Graf

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