[Greenbuilding] Insulation Under Snow Melt Slab for sidewalk and driveway

[Clarke Olsen]

My thoughts are, don't do it: an outdoor slab isolated from the earth will likely keep snow longer. Much truba, little, if any, gain,
snow melting notwithstanding. 
Clarke Olsen





On Sep 22, 2011, at 3:27 PM, Michael Zyla wrote:

> Cement sidewalk, 3 feet wide, 18 feet long, probably two cement joints.  Can someone recommend the insulation type, brand, etc.  to place under the slab?  My cars will drive over this sidewalk to gain access to two-car driveway about 25 feet long  X 18 feet wide.  The driveway will also have snow melt.  Concerned insulation will not support slab and crack when loaded by cars.
> Can buy, at big box store, 2” thick Owens Corning Foamular Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation  F-150 2 in. x 48 in. x 96 thermal performance at r-5 per in.  Sold for exterior wall sheathing, wall furring, perimeter/foundation, cavity wall, crawlspace, pre-cast concrete, UNDER SLAB and other applications.  Will use insulation vertically on sides of slabs, but should these be covered with cement, maybe 2” on top of vertical insulation?  Any “watch outs” about conditioning bed for slab?
> Slab thickness?  Rebar grid size, style? Other comments?  Also, any experience with tubing?  Copper, PEX?  Any special PEX?  I’m aiming for hydronic rather than electric.  Tubes crossing joints?  Insulate tubes traveling through joints? 
> THANKS VERY MUCH – you’re all great!
> See http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/snow_melting_systems/ . 
> Nice design manual here
> http://www.doyouuponor.com/~/media/Extranet/Files/manuals/SIMeltMan2003.aspx?sc_lang=en
> Cheers, Mike
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