Research
Decorative Concrete

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Staining Concrete

Stamped Concrete

Concrete Overlays

Concrete Resurfacing

Concrete Polishing

Concrete Dyes

Colored Concrete

Indoor Concrete

Concrete Floors

Garage Floor Coatings

Concrete Countertops

Fireplaces, Sinks & Furniture

Basement Floors

Radiant Floor Heating

Outdoor Concrete

Concrete Patios

Concrete Driveways

Concrete Pool Decks

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Concrete Walkways

Concrete Pavers

Concrete Walls

Repair & Maintenance

Foundation Repair

Concrete Crack Repair

Basement Wall Repair

Building with Concrete

Concrete Homes

Concrete Basements

Decorative Concrete

FPSF in Heated Buildings

In a heated building, the frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) relies on heat from the house to raise soil temperatures around the foundation. One layer of insulation covers the outside face of the foundation, while a second extends horizontally away from it. The rigid foam traps any heat that the ground absorbs from the building, keeping soil temperatures around the footing above freezing.

Keep in mind that increasing the floor insulation will decrease the heat flow to the foundation, and more perimeter (FPSF) insulation will be required.

Tests have shown that the building's heating system can be safely turned off for a three week period in the winter because thermal lag in the concrete will maintain the soil temperature above freezing.

Return to Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations