2015 Installation Guide
™
Out Fox Heat Loss
Cut Heat Loss by up to
88% At the Slab Edge
with
Insul Slab™
Code Compliance
The Insul Slab thermal barrier system is engineered to address the prescriptive requirements for insulating slab foundations set
forth by 2012 IECC code R402.2.9 (for zones 4 & 5). The patent pending system is comprised of two primary components, Insul
Bands™ and Insul Liners™, that work together to provide a complete thermal break at the slab edge and from the thermal mass footing. Cavities
in the Insul Band accommodate upright rebar ties in the footer to create a series of load bearing piers as the slab is poured. A #4 rebar beam,
positioned horizontally across the series of piers, carries the weight of the structure and transfers the weight directly to the foundation through
the piers. Each pier in the system is capable of holding up to 56,000lbs. Additionally, each Insul Band is fitted with a vinyl insect barrier that
protects the structure from invading pests. The system’s Insul Liner provides a thermal barrier at the slab edge from the footer to the top of the
slab. Channels molded into each Insul Liner work in conjunction with the cavities in the Insul Band to form the load bearing piers. The 45mil vinyl
cladding protects the foam from impact and from invading pests.
Greener From the Get-Go
The Insul Slab thermal barrier system is greener from the get-go. Not only does the Insul Slab thermal barrier system incorporate
less foam per linear foot than most current practices, but due to the gains in energy efficiency of the structure the annual carbon
footprint of the structure is reduced.
Energy Efficient
The Insul Slab thermal barrier system vastly improves the energy efficiency of a structure. Independent research by Purdue
University found that by isolating the slab from the thermal mass footing and insulating the slab edge exposure from the
surrounding environment the Insul Slab system reduces energy loss at the slab edge by up to 88% compared to other practices. Because up to
50% of a modern structure’s energy loss is through the slab edge the drastic reduction in energy loss will have a positive, and on-going, impact
on the cost of heating the structure.
Easy and Efficient Installation
The installation steps that follow demonstrate how easy the Insul Slab thermal barrier system is to install. The Insul Slab thermal
barrier system requires no special tools or extravagant procedures. The system allows for field realities and can be installed in
nearly the same amount of time as other less effective insulation methods. Installers will find that the Insul Slab thermal barrier system alleviates
work inside the footer, making the worksite safer and more efficient.
This guide represents a typical installation. The Insul Slab thermal barrier system is designed to conform to 2012 IECC and 2012 IRC building
codes; always consult with local building codes before beginning any construction project.
Pier
Channel
Pier
Cavities
Insul
Liner
Union
Insect
Barrier
www.insulslab.net
Stone
Retainer
Insul
Band
Trench Footer and Turndown Edge Slabs
Site Preparation and Footer Installation
The worksite should be reasonably level prior to digging the footer trench. The footer will need
to be poured within two inches of level. THIS IS CRITICAL!
Select the highest point of the foundation footprint and pour the footer to that grade. Do not
pour the footer below the sub-base.
The footer trench should be dug a minimum of 12 inches wide and at the depth required by
code. The footer should be poured flat and level. Place form stakes in the footer 1-1/2” from
the building line.
Insul Band Installation
1
2
4
Insect Barrier
Apply smooth and even pressure to
the top of the Insul Bands to embed
the attached insect barrier in the
footer concrete.
The Insul Bands will be installed while the
footer is still in the plastic state. Start by
placing the Insul Band inside and outside
corner segments.
3
All Insul Band segments need to be
placed 4-1/4” from the form stakes
(so that the Insul Bands rest inside the
foundation perimeter).
Placing the Insul Bands closer than 4”
from the form stakes will complicate
installation of the Insul Liner and form
boards. Placing the Insul Bands more
than 4-1/4” from the form stakes will
result in a potential compromise of the
thermal break.
5
#3 Rebar
Starting at an outside corner, place full
Insul Band segments along the perimeter
of the foundation, maintaining 4-1/4”
distance from the form stakes. Insul
Bands can be cut to fill any segments
in which a full Insul Band will not fit.
Continue placing Insul Bands around the
entirety of the foundation.
Once the Insul Band is complete and the
attached insect barrier is embedded in the
footer, #3 rebar uprights should be placed
in the footer. The pier cavities in the Insul
Band are spaced to allow for the rebar to be
placed 24” apart.
Where two Insul Bands meet at an
outside corner, one of the Insul Bands
will need to be trimmed. Using a hand
saw, cut a 7”x7” notch from the inside
corner of the Insul Band where it
overlaps the next Insul Band.
Insul Band Installation Summary
1.) Start inside and outside corner
segments while footer is still plastic
2.) Embed insect barrier into footer
3.) Place full Insul Band segments
4.) Cut notch at inside corners
5.) Place #3 rebar uprights
U.S. Patent Pending
Trench Footer and Turndown Edge Slabs (continued)
Form and Insul Liner Installation
After the footer is set, place dimensional lumber forms as usual. Do not apply releasing oils to the forms
where the Insul Slab thermal barrier system is installed. Doing so is unnecessary and could stain the vinyl
Insul Liner cladding.
1
2
Once the form is in place the Insul Liner can be installed inside the form between the form
and the Insul Band. The Insul Liner should be installed in the same pattern as the Insul
Band was installed. The pier channels in the Insul Liner should align with the pier cavities
in the Insul Band. The top edge of the Insul Liner should be held level with the top of the
form board.
3
4
Each Insul Liner is equipped with a set
of tethers that can be folded over the
form board and tacked to hold the liner
in place. If the tethers are not necessary
they can be immediately trimmed from
the Insul Liner. In areas where the footer
is at lower grade the Insul Liner can be
shimmed at the bottom edge to be held
flush with the top of the form board. Insul
Liners can be cut to length to fit where a
full segment would be too long.
5
2x12 Form Board
Block
For 16” Insul Slab Insul Liners only:
The Insul Slab thermal barrier system
eliminates the need for stacking form
boards to achieve the extra height. A 16”
Insul Liner needs only to be backed fully
for the top 11-1/4” and for a block to be
placed between the Insul Liner and each
form stake. The Insul Liner will act as the
form then for the bottom 4-3/4” of turn
down edge height.
www.insulslab.net
A liner union is placed between each
Insul Liner segment.
Install a rebar chair near the center of each
Insul Slab thermal barrier system segment
and pin it in place with a nail through the
Insul Band. Optionally, the rebar chair can
be pinned to the Insul Liner, but care must
be taken not to penetrate the cladding on
the Insul Liner. Two rebar chairs should be
installed at each Insul Slab thermal barrier
system corner segment, one at each leg of
the corner.
6
Form and Insul Liner Installation Summary
1.) Set dimensional lumber forms as usual
2.) Install Insul Liners inside form
3.) Tack tethers to form board or remove as needed
4.) For 16” slabs only: place blocks between Insul Liners and stakes
5.) Install liner union
6.) Install rebar chairs
7.) Install #4 rebar
Install #4 rebar seating the rebar in each
rebar chair so that the rebar forms a
continuous line that crosses over each
Insul Band pier cavity. Lengths of rebar
should be overlapped at least 24” and
wire tied together.
Finishing
The slab footprint is now ready for under-slab utilities to be installed and the interior of the
area can now be filled with material, reinforcement mesh, and vapor barrier (according
to local code). A stone retainer is formed in to each Insul Band (excluding the 7-1/4” Insul
Slab) to keep material out of the pier cavities and away from the space directly above the
footer. Care should be taken to keep the pier cavities clear of debris. A “leaf blower” is
effective for removing most debris from the Insul Band.
The slab can now be poured.
Concrete used for the slab must
be rated at a minimum of 3000
PSI strength.
After the slab is firm enough to
walk on the, forms can be removed.
If the Insul Liner tethers were used
during the installation, they will
need to be cut free first using a
utility knife.
The Insul Liner vinyl cladding can
be wiped clean with a cloth and
water.
The finish grade can be filled
directly against the Insul Slab.
The cladding on the Insul Liner is
impact resistant.
Keep petroleum based sealers or solvents from direct contact with the Insul Slab thermal barrier system
components, these products will damage the foam and cause the Insul Liner to separate from the slab.
U.S. Patent Pending
Formed Rat Wall Slabs
Site Preparation and Footer Installation
The worksite should be reasonably level prior to digging the footer trench.
The footer trench should be dug a minimum of 12 inches wide and at the depth required by
code. The footer should be poured flat and level.
Form and Insul Band Installation
1
Start by placing the Insul Band
inside and outside corner
segments. Lay the Insul Band
corner segments in the bottom of the
form with the leg of the insect barrier
pointing upward and oriented facing
toward the outside of the foundation.
The foam edge of the Insul Band should
rest against the form toward the inside
of the foundation.
2
Starting at an outside corner,
place full Insul Band segments
along the perimeter of the
foundation in the same manner as
described in the previous step. The
pier channels in the Insul Band are
spaced 24” on center to accommodate
rebar uprights placed in the footer.
Insul Bands can be trimmed to fill any
segments in which a full Insul Band will
not fit. Continue placing Insul Bands
around the entirety of the foundation.
3
Form the rat wall as usual. Do not apply
releasing oils to the outside forms where
the Insul Slab thermal barrier system is
installed. The inside form will still come in
contact with the concrete and will therefore
still require releasing oil.
Form and Insul Liner Installation
1
Place the Insul Liner inside the form between the form and the Insul Band. The Insul Liner
should be installed in the same pattern as the Insul Band was installed. The pier channels
in the Insul Liner should align with the pier cavities in the Insul Band. The top edge of the
Insul Liner should be held level with the top of the form. Each Insul Liner is equipped with
a set of tethers that can be folded over the form board and tied to hold the liner in place. If
the tethers are not necessary they can be immediately trimmed from the Insul Liner.
www.insulslab.net
2
A liner union is placed between each
Insul Liner segment.
Install a rebar chair near the
center of each Insul Slab segment
and pin it in place with a nail
through the Insul Band. Optionally, the
rebar chair can be pinned to the Insul
Liner, but care must be taken not to
penetrate the cladding on the Insul Liner.
Two rebar chairs should be installed at
each Insul Slab corner segment, one at
each leg of the corner.
3
Install #4 rebar. Seat the rebar
in each rebar chair so that the
rebar forms a continuous line that
crosses over each Insul Band pier cavity.
Lengths of rebar should be overlapped at
least 24” and wire tied together.
4
Care should be taken to keep the pier
cavities in the Insul Band clear of
debris prior to pouring the concrete.
Form Rat Wall Slabs Installation
Summary
1.) Form rat wall as usual
2.) Place Insul Band corners
3.) Place Insul Band segments
along perimeter of foundation
4.) Place Insul Liner between form
and Insul Band, tether as necessary
5.) Place liner union between Insul
Liner Segments
6.) Install rebar chairs in each Insul
Slab segment
7.) Install #4 rebar in each rebar
chair
Finishing
The rat wall is now ready to be poured.
After the rat wall is firm enough to walk on, the forms can be removed. If the Insul Liner tethers were used during
the installation, they will need to be cut free first using a utility knife.
The Insul Liner vinyl cladding can be wiped clean with a cloth and water.
The finish grade can be filled directly against the Insul Slab thermal barrier system. The cladding on the Insul Liner
is impact resistant.
Keep petroleum based sealers or solvents from direct contact with the Insul Slab thermal barrier system
components, these products will damage the foam and cause the Insul Liner to separate from the slab.
Warranty
Each Insul Slab brand insulation device used in the construction of a building in the United States carries the following
Limited Warranty. This Limited Warranty is not transferable or assignable. If an INSUL Slab brand insulation device, as
a result of a manufacturer’s defect in workmanship or materials (as reasonably determined by TB Holdings LLC), and
when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, fails to meet the standards set forth in our product
manual or applicable specifications existing at the time of manufacture, TB Holdings LLC will, at its option, provide a
replacement or refund the actual purchase price of such insulation devise. In no event will the value of TB Holdings LLC’s
obligations under this Limited Warranty exceed the purchase price of the originally installed products that TB Holdings
LLC determines have a manufacturing defect. Any costs or expenses beyond this amount are the responsibility of the
property owner. This Limited Warranty is exclusive of all other costs and expenses of any nature or kind, including costs
of labor to remove or replace any product found to be defective. Proof of building ownership at the time of installation and
proof of purchase from a TB Holdings LLC authorized distributor is required.
THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS,
IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ALL OF WHICH ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. If the preceding sole and exclusive
remedies should be found to have failed their essential purpose, in no event shall TB Holdings LLC’s liability exceed the
actual purchase price for the product.
U.S. Patent Pending
Heat is Money - Don’t Lose It in the Corners
1/2” Sheathing
Insulation
2 x 4 Stud
1/2” Sheathing
Insulation
2 x 4 Stud
4” Concrete Slab
4” Concrete Slab
#3 Bar Connector
2 x 4 Plate
2 x 4 Plate
Heat Loss
Heat Loss
2” Rigid Foam
16”
2” Rigid Foam
Granular Fill
Granular Fill
Footer
Footer
Turndown Edge Slab on Deep Trench Footer
Slab on Formed Rat Wall Method
Cut Heat Loss by up to 88% with Insul Slab
1/2” Sheathing
Insulation
2 x 4 Stud
1/2” Sheathing
Insulation
2 x 4 Stud
4” Concrete Slab
4” Concrete Slab
Insul Slab Effect
Insul Slab Effect
2 x 4 Plate
6x6 10-10 wwm
#3 Bar
2 x 4 Plate
6x6 10-10 wwm
Insul Liner
Insul Liner
Vinyl Cladding
Stone Retainer
12”
Vinyl Cladding
16”
#4 Bar
Insul Band
Insul Band
Granular Fill
Granular Fill
Vinyl Insect Barrier
Footer
#4 Bar
6”
Turndown Edge Slab on Deep Trench Footer
with Insul Slab thermal barrier system
Find out more at insulslab.net
Vinyl Insect Barrier
Footer
8”
Slab on Formed Rat Wall Method
with Insul Slab thermal barrier system
Out Fox Heat Loss