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coach54
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# Posted: 22 Apr 2025 02:09pm
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I am building a 12 x 18 building on piers. I don't want to create cavities for ground guests.
I will be using laying joists 12 inch OC.
I am contemplating an initial floor of 1/2 osb, then a layer of Dri-Core Insul-Armor which is rated as a subfloor and has air channels on the bottom. Then topping it with 1/4in osb, then LVP with an insullated backing.
I imagine that this would be very solid and would retain enough heat.
thoughts?
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spencerin
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# Posted: 12 May 2025 02:10pm
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DRICORE Insul-Armor says it has an R-value of 4.1. I would say, without knowing the location of the building, that this wouldn't retain as much heat (or cool) as you'd like. That said, it's possible to insulate beneath the floor at a higher R-value without creating cavities for undesirable "guests".....
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travellerw
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# Posted: 13 May 2025 11:35am
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Are you building to code? If so, I'm pretty sure the 1/2" osb and 1/4" osb will not pass. At least up here 5/8" is required (and they required it for both the top and bottom of the sandwich).
Just an FYI, we built our cabin floor in a similar manner.
Joists 16" OC, 5/8 OSB, 2" Foamular 400 XPS (bought used on marketplace), 5/8 OSB, LVP with foam backing.
We have stayed there at -40 and after everything warms up (about 24 hours), you can walk around in socks with no problem.
Stagger the OSB sheets so you don't have joints lining up from the top layer to the bottom layer. Use long screws and secure the top layer all the way into the joists. This makes a laminated floor that is super solid.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 13 May 2025 01:23pm
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I would think you’d want a higher r value using the foam sandwich approach traveler mentioned
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 13 May 2025 03:59pm
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Depending upon location; ie, In da nort, get as much R as you can during the build.
Just my 2c
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 13 May 2025 05:44pm
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Its pretty damn cold here and I have never wished for more floor insulation! The whole sandwich including the finish flooring puts me at an R value of about 12-13. Its actually one of the aspects of my build that I don't have some regrets. I call it a win if you can walk around in socks at -40
For walls and ceilings, yup stuff as much as you can. Even then, with the 2x8 gambrel roof I was only able to get like R25 up there. Its still enough that the heat pump can keep the building at +20 when its -20 outside (it can't get it there though, a big fire is required for that).
Its all a balancing act really. Money and logistics vs comfort.
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