[GSBN] Under slab and edge insulation at doorways

[John Swearingen]

Are you "casting perlite before swine?"  Ok, bad pun.

What I'm still concerned about with perlite is that you can grow things in
it.  This does not seem like a Good Thing.

>From the Supreme Perlite FAQ, *"**It holds moisture and nutrients for
assimilation by roots over time."  *If there was moisture intrusion, would
this not create a thermal bridge to nowhere?  or Terabithia?  or simply give
you cold feet?  It's given me cold feet, so far.....can you warm them for
me?

*"Errors like straws upon the surface flow: Who would search for pearls must
dive below.” * John Dryden

John “Pearly Whites" Swearingen


On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 7:47 AM, Kelly Lerner
<klerner at one-world-design.com>wrote:

> Hi all,
> In an effort to get away from the global warming potential of and fire
> retardants in rigid insulation, I'm beginning to design with compacted
> perlite as under-slab insulation in strawbale houses in Spokane, WA (east
> side of WA - cold winter - 6800 heating degree days, high desert, dry -
> about 16" rain/year, water table is usually quite low and soils are well
> drained).
>
> I've found a relatively local source for perlite(Portland) and the costs
> for R-value are comparable to or less than rigid insulation. I'm installing
> perlite under the slab and wrapping it up the edge of the slab (on the
> interior of the stem wall - under the strawbale wall), but I'm having
> trouble detailing "slab edge insulation" at the door ways. Anyone have any
> experience or thoughts about the right approach? Contact me on or off list.
> Thanks!
>
> In case you're wondering about perlite, here's a link:
> http://www.perlite.com/faqs.htm
>
>
>  Kelly Lerner, Architect
> One World Design Architecture
> 509-838-8812
> www.one-world-design.com
>
> Have you read Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House? Available in
> Bookstores across the Universe.
> www.naturalremodeling.com
>
>
>
>
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-- 
John Swearingen
Skillful Means Design & Construction
2550 9th Street   Suite 209A
Berkeley, CA   94710
510.849.1800 phone
510.849.1900 fax

Web Site:  http://www.skillful-means.com
Blog:         https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com
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