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Pouring the Concrete Foundation

The slab was poured at the same time as the footing, saving a lot of steps. The process was very streamlined. Insul-Tarp, a combination insulation and a vapor barrier from RadiantMax.com, was used to insulate the slab. The tarp acts as a barrier to the moisture below the slab and provides an insulation value of around R6, which prevents heat loss. The haunched footings, the slab, and any reinforcing are all done in one step. Traditionally a 10'x10' steel reinforcing mesh would go down before the concrete is poured, but that step was eliminated by blending the fibers into the concrete mix. This mesh adds to the cost of the concrete but by an insignificant amount. This method is still much cheaper than the traditional method. The slab is four inches thick. After the concrete has been poured and allowed to set, the diagonals are checked to make sure the slab is completely square and points are perpendicular. More information