How to best convert a space with an uninsulated slab into living space?

[BirgitS]

Wet room mats are completely waterproof. Just like waterproofing with tiles on.

 

[Rättochfel]

Great, I've received two responses so far! To summarize, both suggest having one part diffusion-open and the other part not, with the difference being in the surface layers!

 

[Jochi]

A mechanic's thoughts. Could it be sensible to ground insulate, for example, 10 cm thick and about 60 cm wide around the exterior walls of the garage if there is space for it?
You can also place insulation on the base and cover it with metal and cement board.

 

[Rättochfel]

A mechanic's thoughts. Could it be reasonable to insulate the ground, say 10 cm thick and about 60 cm wide around the garage's exterior walls if there is space for it?
One can also place insulation on the plinth and cover it with metal and cement board.

Sounds like a different angle😀But maybe I'm not quite following what you mean!
Insulate on the outside 60cm, do you mean where the plinth ends or exterior wall? Insulating on the outside is probably a good solution!
But how did you think about the base surface on the inside? Regarding interior walls concerning insulation there with consideration to the waterproofing and trapping moisture between the different sides! Yes, I am open to good suggestions, but maybe I don't always immediately understand what is meant😀

 

[Jochi]

Sounds like a different angle😀 But maybe I'm not quite following what you mean! Insulate the outside 60cm, do you mean where the plinth ends or the outer wall? Insulating on the outside is probably a good solution! But how did you envision the bottom surface on the inside? Further inner walls concerning the insulation there with regard to the moisture barrier and locking in moisture between the different sides! Yes, I am happy to receive good suggestions but maybe not always understanding what is meant directly😀

There is not much to do about the floor considering the low room height other than a thick carpet. Low floor temp. closest to the outer walls improves at low external temp (below 8 C) through two measures

- externally insulating the plinth and covering it with metal and sheet material,
- ground insulating around the house to limit low floor temp. in the border zone. Ground temp. under the floor is probably between 8 to 10 C for most of the year except closest to the outer edges (the border zone) where it gets colder in winter. This is improved by ground insulation.

 

[Rättochfel]

Great, thanks, now I understand the thought process! That's good already😀 Also, it's not a flat roof but it has an angle, and I can build "upwards," which might then affect the full height at the outer edge of the space! But how about adding 10cm insulation on the floor inside? I think that polystyrene/cement seems to keep the cold away well!

 

[Jochi]

Nice, thanks, then I understand the thought process! Just that is good😀 It's not a flat roof, it has an angle, and I can build "upward," perhaps it will then affect the full height at the outer edge of the space! But laying 10cm insulation on the floor on the inside? I think that the styrofoam/cement seems to keep the cold out well!

I think it's a good solution but I'm not a building engineer

 

[Onsalakorven]

You can't lay an eps or eps-concrete slab? Sure, you lose some floor height but get better insulation downwards.

I know this is controversial but many houses are built this way including ours. We're now converting our garage's more uninsulated slab into living space and will do the same there.

 

[Jochi]

I think it's a good solution but I'm not a construction engineer

Found this link about insulating cold floors

https://www.bygghemma.se/hus-och-by...hCC1K-DEYgV7Igh_In0HrMmpq5cxFuZxoCACAQAvD_BwE

 

[cpalm]

A mechanic's thoughts. Could it be sensible to insulate the ground with for instance 10 cm thick, about 60 cm wide around the garage's exterior walls if there's room for it?

It is usually called frost or edge insulation, but it is probably primarily a complement to insulation under the floor/slab.
https://www.isover.se/supporten-tipsar/tjalisolering-kring-platta-pa-mark

 

[Rättochfel]

Super

It is usually called frost or edge insulation, but is probably primarily a complement to insulation under the floor/slab.
[link]

, thank you, then it was excellently explained, I even understand it😀 That was a new angle, interesting!