ClimaFoam XPS Board - Wall Insulation

July 2016

ClimaFoam XPS Board
Concrete slab – insulation guide

Expertise in insulation 23°C, enabling a thinner layer of insulation in thickness
constrained applications.
Knauf Insulation has over 30 years experience in
insulation manufacture and as a producer of extruded ClimaFoam XPS Board is supplied with a ship-lap join
polystyrenes (XPS) insulation, we are able to provide a down the long sides of each sheet. This is to allow for
high thermal solution for specialist applications. easier installation and to minimise gaps.

ClimaFoam® XPS Board High compressive strength

Excellent energy efficiency and ClimaFoam XPS Board delivers exceptional compressive
insulation performance strength for industrial and residential floors where
a designer wants to keep the cold out but retain the
ClimaFoam XPS Board is an extruded polystyrene strength in the concrete slab. For buildings such as
product. It has a compressive strength of 300 kPa and warehouses and factories, which are being designed
is one of the strongest and most reliable insulation to withstand high loads from large vehicles or
products that is ideal for tough New Zealand climatic equipment, ClimaFoam XPS Board has proven
conditions. Able to resist wet conditions, high impact long-term performance.
loads and extreme temperatures, ClimaFoam XPS
Board provides high thermal insulation performance Moisture resistance
and can be used in areas where other types of
insulation are not suitable. ClimaFoam XPS Board The moisture resistance of ClimaFoam XPS Board allows
has a thermal conductivity rating of 0.028W/mK at for it to be exposed to ground water, with negligible
impact on thermal performance. ClimaFoam XPS Board
is also ideal for perimeter slab insulation and under-slab
insulation where water resistance is important.

This document has been produced as a guide for designers to achieve an increased thermal performance in concrete slab construction.

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Concrete Floors

Floors can offer excellent thermal performance by incorporating
high levels of insulation.

Slab and perimeter insulation

Concrete floors such as slab on ground can be Perimeter insulation
designed to achieve excellent thermal performance.
A well-insulated concrete slab will contribute to the The addition of perimeter insulation will complete the
building’s thermal envelope, save energy and help to thermal envelope and provide a simple and effective
reduce energy costs. method of improving the performance of the concrete
floor. ClimaFoam XPS Board can be retrofitted to
Under slab insulation existing properties or installed before or after the
concrete is poured in new build applications.
ClimaFoam® XPS Board has high compressive strength
and moisture resistance, which makes it ideal for ClimaFoam XPS Board should be installed as a
installation under the concrete slab to prevent thermal continuous barrier around the slab edge and cover as
loss through the ground. ClimaFoam XPS Board is much of the footing as possible. Earth can be backfilled
available in a range of thicknesses and can be multi- directly against the insulation and the exposed
layered to achieve high thermal resistance. surface should be protected with a plaster finish or a
suitable sheet material.

Under floor heating

Under floor heating is a popular build consideration
when using a concrete slab. Installing ClimaFoam
XPS Board under the slab is ideal to ensure optimal
performance of the heating and Building Code
requirements are being met. This will also help to
minimise heat loss and reduce energy costs.

Underfloor footings and thickenings

The high compressive strength of ClimaFoam XPS Board
makes it suitable to be placed under footings and slab
thickenings. For details, please consult the designer or
the project engineer.

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Under-slab insulation but due to its high level of moisture resistance it can
be installed under the DPC if required.
• ClimaFoam® XPS Board provides excellent thermal
performance for the insulation of concrete slabs. • The high compressive strength of ClimaFoam XPS
ClimaFoam XPS Board can be multi-layered to Board makes it suitable to be placed under footings and
achieve extremely high thermal resistance. slab thickenings. For details please consult the designer
or the project engineer.
• ClimaFoam XPS Board is typically installed between
the damp proof course (DPC) and the concrete slab,

concrete slab concrete slab

ClimaFoam ClimaFoam

concrete ground slab thickening concrete ground
footing footing

ClimaFoam cut to insulate
around footings and thickenings

Table 1) ClimaFoam XPS Board under slab insulation

Wall ClimaFoam Area/perimeter ratio (Total slab area ÷ the total length of the perimeter)
stud depth thickness
1.3 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.1 4
(mm) (mm)
90 Total construction R-Value (m2K/W)

140 30 1.97 2.23 2.36 2.48 2.60 2.73 3.07
* 2 layers of 50mm 40 2.31 2.57 2.70 2.81 2.94 3.06 3.40
50 2.64 2.90 3.03 3.15 3.27 3.40 3.73
75 3.48 3.73 3.86 3.99 4.10 4.23 4.57
100* 4.32 4.58 4.70 4.82 4.95 5.06 5.41
30 2.06 2.34 2.47 2.60 2.74 2.86 3.23
40 2.39 2.67 2.80 2.94 3.07 3.19 3.56
50 2.73 3.01 3.14 3.27 3.40 3.53 3.90
75 3.56 3.84 3.98 4.10 4.24 4.37 4.73
100* 4.39 4.68 4.81 4.95 5.07 5.20 5.57

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Perimeter insulation details

ClimaFoam® XPS Board is an ideal product to insulate or a suitable sheet product. ClimaFoam XPS Board can
the perimeter of concrete slabs. Earth can be backfilled be adhered to the slab using fixings prior to pouring the
directly against the insulation, but it is recommended concrete, glue or mechanical fixings can also be used
that exposed insulation is protected with a plaster finish after the slab is formed.
1. Cavity cladding
2. Direct-fix cladding
building
stud wrap / sarking building
stud wrap / sarking
cladding
cladding

concrete slab 20mm cavity concrete slab
bottom plate cavity closure flashing
angle flashing

40mm 15mm ventilation cavity foundation floor ClimaFoam
foundation floor ClimaFoam edge
perimeter insulation

3. Brick veneer 70 or 90 4. Brick veneer Brick or blockwork
installed with
- with a third of the bricks width as a maximum overhang brick veneer - concrete block or solid construction no overhang

concrete slab concrete slab

foundation floor ClimaFoam foundation floor
small bevel created by
brick installed lining or plaster system ClimaFoam bevelled
with a maximum prior to installation
30mm overhang

Table 2. Concrete slab on ground with perimeter insulation only

Wall ClimaFoam Area/perimeter ratio (Total slab area ÷ the total length of the perimeter)
stud depth thickness
1.3 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.1 4
(mm) (mm)
90 Total construction R-Value (m2K/W)
140
30 1.07 1.36 1.46 1.59 1.73 1.85 2.23
50 1.09 1.39 1.50 1.65 1.78 1.91 2.29
30 1.13 1.44 1.58 1.73 1.86 2.00 2.40
50 1.15 1.46 1.62 1.78 1.92 2.06 2.45

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Combined perimeter and under-slab insulation values

Table 3. Concrete slab on ground with 30mm edge insulation and selected under slab insulation thickness

Wall ClimaFoam® Area/perimeter ratio (Total slab area ÷ the total length of the perimeter)
stud depth thickness
(mm) 1.3 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8 3.1 4
(mm)
90 Total construction R-Value (m2K/W)
140
30 1.05 1.33 1.46 1.59 1.73 1.85 2.22
* 2 layers of 50mm 40 2.03 2.31 2.44 2.58 2.71 2.84 3.21
50 2.70 2.98 3.11 3.25 3.38 3.51 3.88
100* 4.37 4.66 4.79 4.92 5.05 5.18 5.56
30 1.13 1.44 1.58 1.73 1.86 2.00 2.40
40 2.12 2.43 2.57 2.71 2.85 2.99 3.39
50 2.79 3.09 3.24 3.38 3.52 3.66 4.05
100* 4.46 4.76 4.91 5.05 5.19 5.33 5.72

* Example stud building
wrap / sarking
cladding

concrete slab

ClimaFoam slab thickening concrete angle
footing flashing
ClimaFoam

ClimaFoam cut to insulate
around footings and thickenings

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Notes

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Knauf Insulation Pty Ltd
Unit 1, 44 Borthwick Avenue,
Murarrie QLD 4172

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+61 7 3393 7300

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This document has been compiled as a guide only and the information or advice contained herein should be verified before it is put to use by any person and/
or organisation. The user should also establish the applicability of the information or advice in relation to any specific circumstances. While the information
or advice is believed to be correct, Knauf Insulation, its officers, employees and agents disclaim responsibility for any inaccuracies contained within the
document including those due to any negligence in the preparation and publication of the said document. The information set out herein may be subject to
updating, completion, revision, verification and amendment and such information may change materially. Images within this publication are to be taken as
illustrations only and are provided without liability on the part of the organisation, or its employees and agents. The contents of this publication may not be
reproduced without the prior written consent of Knauf Insulation.

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