Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 18, 2009 8:33 am Hi all, can anyone please tell me what is the purpose of polystyrene in the slab?? Is it to insulate the slab or something? I've never seen this before n just wondering why builders do this? Also, is it normal to have the framing up 2 days after pouring the slab? Thanks Re: Polystyrene with slab? 2Sep 18, 2009 8:39 am I assume you're talking about large polystyrene pieces under the slab. In this case you have a waffle pod, which is the most popular type of slab construciton. The idea is to get deep concrete ribs to provide support. The cheapest way to do this is to raise levels using a chep material - polystyrene. Insulation isn't the reason, but it would affect the insualtoni qualities (BTW, good ground contact is usually best). Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Polystyrene with slab? 3Sep 18, 2009 8:45 am Hi gsm - this would be a waffle pod. We got one of these too... our builder said that they are just as and if done correctly stronger than a regular slab. It is a cheaper way to do a slab because it uses less concrete - but if its just as strong or stronger then it works for me. Our slab was poured on a monday and the frame was put up on the Wednesday... so i think 2 days is normal not sure about insulation qualities... but can assume it would be more insulating because its not a solid slab of conrete... but really i have no idea Re: Polystyrene with slab? 4Sep 18, 2009 9:51 am ok thanks I noticed they put black polythene down, then put the polystyrene on top, then steel mesh, before pouring the concrete. Im assuming this is all normal then? Umm..how do they apply the termite protection, or is that done later? Re: Polystyrene with slab? 6Sep 20, 2009 8:16 pm Our last house was on a waffle pod slab it never moved in the 8years we where there had really not movement in the house either which was pretty good seeing Brisbane was hit with a drought in that time. As for termites this slab system can be used to your benefit if you keep the slab and the brick line clear you will have a visual line to check for any potentual termite mud tracks coming into the house. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: Polystyrene with slab? 7Sep 20, 2009 8:46 pm Ours is a waffle pod one too. I can't look at a Broccoli box without thinking about it now www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Polystyrene with slab? 8Sep 20, 2009 8:57 pm themax Ours is a waffle pod one too. I can't look at a Broccoli box without thinking about it now Hahahaha Now I am going to do the same! -curses- 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Thanks for the insights, that makes perfect sense, and yeah, I will be leaning on the experience of the excavator operator entirely. 6 16104 4 6193 The concreter will take and reuse. In my case I bought structural LVLs and scraped them back and used them as joists. 1 5150 |