Insulating concrete slab

[Pipe Dreamer]

Is there any way to insulate a concrete slab floor without tearing it up and starting again from scratch, and without raising it several inches?
I suspect the answer is no, but even if it's only a little, that would be good.

 

[123hotchef]

old school cork tiles

 

[eSCHEn]

Carpet and underlay. Not good for hot work though.

 

[MCKDAVID]

depends on what you're doing in there. you can get really thin (3mm thick) foam sheets that are for under the laminate wood flooring. obviously would need to be covered with something more resistant, but it might give you some options.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

depends on what you're doing in there.

This

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

It needs to withstand vehicles and hot work.
I've seen mention of insulating aggregates for concrete but don't know if they could be eg used as a screed.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Why does it need insulating? Can we assume it's thick enough to take the projected weight/loads?

 

[MCKDAVID]

if you need it to withstand weight & heat, and thin, I think you're going to struggle. Maybe try some of the specialist for the epoxy sealing, they might have an option with good thermal properties, or as you say there are insulating concrete screeds available, but I can't see it being that thin.. either way I'd say you need to be talking to the specialists.

 

[knighty]

does it really need insulating so you can have it warm in there all the time

or is it just so you can work in there now and again without your feet freezing ?



if it's just so your feet don't freeze, you could cover it with wood ? ply/chipboard/whatever

 

[BarrieJ]

Have a look at the many different types of stable/horse/animal matting, comes in a range of thicknesses and hardness. Naturally, the better quality, the higher the price and they can get very expensive. It's generally very tough and will withstand vehicle movement.

I used a sheet to stand on in my very rural, unheated, concrete floored workshop and found it easier on the feet and much warmer than bare concrete.
It'll stand up to angle grinding sparks and even the odd slug of red hot metal (similar impact to when you stand on hot slag or an offcut in your work boots), it'll smoke a bit and sink in unless you kick it off promptly. Can't speak for all types and specs' but that's how it worked for me.

Different types available generally by the sq metre, 2' x 2' or 6' x 4' tiles (interlocking or not) and a huge range of thicknesses.

https://www.horsematshop.co.uk/product-category/garages_workshops/

https://www.coruba.co.uk/horse-and-animal-matting.html/

http://www.horsematsplus.co.uk/eva-stable-floor-matting/

https://www.polymax.co.uk/rubber-matting-and-flooring/stable-mat/

Occasionally available secondhand on eBay: Rubber Matting/Cow mats/Gym mats/Horse mats/6x4/Stable mats and there's currently a listing detailed below:

Seller: conveyors2machinery

We have a huge range of matting it is made out of used conveyor belt.

Mats are good, strong, and waterproof. Ideal for gyms, stables, garages, trailers, workshops, flooring, roofs, fences, and finally mud flaps!

6x4 mats 20mm thick £25 each . We have 2000 in stock at the moment.

Unit based in Leyland, preston.

Delivery can be arranged at extra cost.

07521454394

He's got a few other interesting bits listed under his other items, there's an R Tech Tig, log splitting stuff, conveyor belting, compressor, tool box, etc.

 

[CornishPete]

I think you'll struggle to get any decent insulation without increasing the floor height by a few inches, even more so if you want it thin and strong. I've used insulating aggregate before but not for anything structural, usually mass filling lined chimneys etc. Its quite expensive too.

 

[Rig Pig]

I have an old cushion off an armchair and some lino that I use for sitting / kneeling on cold concrete, it makes it a bit more comfortable.

 

[addjunkie]

I have an old cushion off an armchair and some lino that I use for sitting / kneeling on cold concrete, it makes it a bit more comfortable.

I do similar, but use a couple of cheap camping roll mats folded in half and glued. Only down size is grinding stuff gets stuck in it.

The other way is if its just cold feet get thermal insoles, and quilted overalls,

 

[gaz1]

im going to throw another suggestion try heating the floor up instead a small wood burner using the old reference of roman times to heat the floor or even by using plastic pipes in channels

 

[Pipe Dreamer]

does it really need insulating so you can have it warm in there all the time?

Yes. (Well, not so much in summer. )

 

[gaz1]

how about playground rubber mats there strong and also warmish the other type of mat is kids play foam mats

 

[Gritineye]

Keep it simple, just boarding it over with shuttering ply will make a lot of difference, and won't catch fire too easily from grinder spark and welding unless you're a proper messy worker...

 

[knighty]

Yes. (Well, not so much in summer. )

dig it out then

if you want to keep the final floor height the same then dig deeper than the old floor to accommodate the insulation

 

[steve_s]

Tile the floor and use electric under floor heating ????

 

[roryswfc]

Look up aerogel insulation. It's extremely thin but has very good thermal efficency. A layer of this then a layer of ply would make a considerable difference. Only issue is its pretty expensive as far as insulation goes.