Foamglas cellular glass, the best thermal insulation under slabs

A solution that is still little used consists of insulating the ground by placing a layer of insulation under the concrete foundation slab and on stabilized ground. FOAMGLAS cellular glass insulation^® is, for this type of design, the best solution, here's why.

Positioned in contact with the earth, in regular contact with humidity and insects, and under the constraints of significant permanent loads, the insulation used under the slab must be carefully selected. Their qualities determine the good thermal resistance of the floor of the structure! Rigid and waterproof mineral material, composed of high temperature foamed glass, FOAMGLAS® perfectly insulates and protects foundation slabs. High-end insulation, FOAMGLAS^® preserves the thermal performance of the structure and avoids damage to the lower slabs carried by the insulating layer for which no renovation is possible without an exorbitant cost once the building is constructed.

Benefits of thermal insulation under slab

This technique, including the implementation, on stabilized soil, of thermal insulation then of a concrete foundation slab, simplifies the work. It saves materials compared to the traditional concept of “low-span slab + insulation + screed or protective concrete slab”. This technique only requires a single drying phase.

More ecological and faster to execute, this solution can also save thickness.

Why FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® is the best underfloor insulation

The thermal conductivity of cellular glass does not alter over time

Insulation positioned under the slab, once the concrete slab has been poured, will never be replaced. Consequently, non-degradation of the thermal performance of the insulating layer is essential with a real concern for energy saving and ecology.

Cellular glass is capable of providing satisfaction. FOAMGLAS^® is rigid, waterproof, moisture-proof, it is not attacked by insects and rodents and its thermal resistance remains 100% effective over time.

For example: for a thickness of 20 cm, the thermal resistance of FOAMGLAS^® T4+ is 4,85 m².K/W and its thermal conductance U = 0,20 W/m².K.

High compressive strength

Designing a quality concrete foundation slab positioned on insulation in contact with the earth requires strict requirements regarding the behavior of the insulation in the face of permanent load constraints.

FOAMGLAS offers the best performance in compressive resistance Rc (EN 826) among all existing insulation on the market, with FOAMGLAS F: 1.600 kPa or, in distributed load, 160 T/m2.

FOAMGLAS T4+ has a high Rc (600 kPa) with an interesting thermal conductivity of 0,041 W/mK

In addition, FOAMGLAS cellular glass, a rigid material, settles significantly less than other insulators under load constraints, which makes the foundation slabs more reliable over time (see the technical data sheets for the FOAMGLAS BOARD T4+, S3 and F products). ).

To design truly ecological floor insulation, it is necessary to ensure that the mechanical and thermal properties of the prescribed insulating materials will be durable over time. This is the case for FOAMGLAS cellular glass.

Cellular glass also offers ideal solutions for insulating buried floors and walls in perfect continuity.

The rigidity of FOAMGLAS plates and their great dimensional stability allow the insulating plates to be positioned vertically and glued to those insulating the floor. This process is unique. It seals against humidity all parts of the building located below ground level as well as the foundations. It also protects them from insects (including termites) and rodents.

These insulating plates are fixed together with a waterproof glue, thus forming perfect continuity of insulation between the ground and the facade. They prevent any rising humidity by capillary action, and provide perfect and lasting thermal protection.