We are converting an attached garage to a living room. The garage slab is uncracked and in good condition. It is surrounded by cinder block frost wall. The new floor will be 2 x 10 sitting on top of the cinder block which is 10" above the existing cement floor. There will be plumbing for a new bath and ducts for HVAC in between the new floor joices. We are not sure of the best way to insulate and make vapor barrior for the new floor. Does the space under the new floor need to be vented or shopuld it be filled with unsulation??? Our other concern is critters getting under the floor and causing problems. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Since you will hae water down under there, I would suggest that youneed heat there too. So I would probably use 2" thick foam insulation board to insulate around the perimeter of the blocks at the exterior of the room, instead of insulating directly under the floor.
For a VB, you could use a seal coat paint on the concrete floor or lay dow a VB heavy plastic before beginning.
Excellence is its own reward!
For a VB, you could use a seal coat paint on the concrete floor or lay dow a VB heavy plastic before beginning.
Excellence is its own reward!
Cost might decide whether you use fiberglass batts or foam boards. I would look into putting a layer of fiberglass batts laying on the concrete across the whole space. If I understand the situation, you have open space below the joists.
Put a layer of 6 mil plastic all around up the sides to keep outside moisture from getting to the joists. Layer of plastic over all the concrete. Layer of fiberglass with some rising up sides to insulate between joists at rim joists. I would put the paper vapor barrier up to the warm in winter side. With foam board you don't need the vapor barrier on the inside.
Put a layer of 6 mil plastic all around up the sides to keep outside moisture from getting to the joists. Layer of plastic over all the concrete. Layer of fiberglass with some rising up sides to insulate between joists at rim joists. I would put the paper vapor barrier up to the warm in winter side. With foam board you don't need the vapor barrier on the inside.