UNDER CONCRETE Prodex Total 5M 4 ft x 175 ft (700 sq ft) Ships by Dec 3

Applications

Residential and Commercial Construction

Under Concrete Prodex Total 5M is ideal for both new builds and retrofits in residential and commercial construction. It provides a comprehensive insulation solution beneath concrete slabs, improving energy performance and interior comfort year-round.

Common Residential Applications

• Basements: Prevents ground moisture intrusion and enhances warmth underfoot.

• Garages: Offers insulation for concrete garage floors, especially in colder climates.

• Home Additions: Ideal for room extensions requiring under-slab insulation with radiant heating.

Commercial and Industrial Applications

• Warehouses: Maintains slab integrity while providing thermal efficiency in large-scale structures.

• Retail Stores: Enhances comfort and energy savings in slab-on-grade floor spaces.

• Workshops and Storage Units: Protects stored goods from floor condensation and temperature swings.

Radiant Heating Systems

This product is perfectly suited for radiant floor heating setups, where its thermal break and reflectivity help reduce downward heat loss, ensuring more efficient delivery of warmth to occupied spaces above.

Key Radiant Heat Uses

• Hydronic Heated Floors: Maximizes energy efficiency by reflecting radiant energy upward.

• Electric Floor Heating: Prevents heat loss to the slab, improving responsiveness and performance.

Specialty Use Cases

• Cold Storage Facilities: Helps maintain floor insulation in temperature-controlled environments.

• Moisture-Prone Zones: Excellent for areas with high water tables or condensation risk, thanks to its vapor and radon barrier properties.

• Green Building Projects: Contributes to energy-efficient design goals by reducing thermal bridging and improving envelope performance

Product Benefits

Superior Thermal Performance

Under Concrete Prodex Total 5M significantly improves the energy efficiency of slab-on-grade and radiant heating systems. Its reflective insulation layer provides an effective thermal break, reducing heat loss and maintaining stable indoor temperatures.

• Reduces Heat Loss by up to 56%: Keeps warmth where you need it—inside your space.

• Consistent Floor Temperature: Enhances comfort, particularly in radiant floor heating applications.

• Thermal Break Protection: Minimizes conductive heat flow into the ground.

Advanced Moisture and Vapor Barrier

This insulation functions as a robust barrier against moisture infiltration from the soil, eliminating condensation issues that commonly plague concrete slabs.

• Stops Dampness and Condensation: Keeps the slab and interior environment dry.

• Per Rating < 0.1: Meets stringent vapor barrier standards for below-grade installations.

• Seals Around Nails: Maintains continuity and protection even when penetrated by fasteners.

Radon Barrier Protection

In areas where radon gas infiltration is a concern, this product provides added peace of mind. Its material composition blocks radon from seeping up through the slab, contributing to a healthier indoor space.

• Radon Gas Defense: Helps protect occupants from long-term radon exposure.

Compression-Resistant Durability

Engineered for under-slab use, Prodex Total 5M maintains its form and performance under the pressure of poured concrete and continued structural load.

• Less Than 9% Compression: Maintains insulating properties after installation.

• Durable and Tear-Resistant: Stands up to heavy handling and demanding job site conditions.

Easy Handling and Installation

Time is money on construction sites, and this product is designed with both efficiency and convenience in mind.

• Lightweight and Flexible: Easy to transport, cut, and install.

• Large Coverage Roll (4 ft x 175 ft / 700 sq ft): Minimizes seams and reduces installation time.

Below are additional details and answers to common questions about under concrete, under slab, and radiant floor insulation to help you get the best results from your installation.

Understanding Under Concrete and Under Slab Insulation

Adding under concrete insulation or under slab insulation beneath a concrete floor is one of the most effective ways to control heat loss and moisture movement in a building. Whether in a residential foundation, commercial floor, or garage, this type of insulation creates a thermal barrier between the ground and the structure above.
When installed correctly, it helps maintain steady indoor temperatures, reduces condensation, and prevents heat from escaping into the soil. Builders, contractors, and homeowners alike benefit from the improved comfort and efficiency that proper under concrete insulation provides.

Why Under Slab and Underslab Insulation Matter

Concrete itself is not an effective insulator. It absorbs and transfers heat easily, which can make floors cold in winter and increase heating costs. Installing under slab insulation (or underslab insulation) adds thermal resistance and moisture control to your floor system.
Key benefits include:

• Energy efficiency: Reduces ground heat loss and lowers energy consumption.

• Moisture protection: Blocks vapor and helps prevent condensation buildup.

• Comfort: Keeps floors warmer and improves indoor temperature balance.

• Durability: Protects finished flooring materials from moisture and thermal stress.
  These advantages are even more pronounced when paired with radiant floor insulation in heated slab systems.

Radiant Floor Insulation and Heat Retention

In radiant heating systems, insulation beneath the slab plays a vital role in directing heat where it belongs—upward into the living space. Without radiant floor insulation, much of the warmth from heating tubes or cables is lost downward into the ground.
By using a closed-cell, reflective product such as Prodex Total Under Concrete Insulation (5M), you create a barrier that reflects heat upward, enhances comfort, and improves energy efficiency.

How to Insulate a Concrete Slab

If you’re wondering how to insulate a concrete slab, the process is straightforward and suitable for most new builds and retrofits:

1. Prepare the base: Level and compact the soil or gravel layer.

2. Lay the insulation: Place the material with the reflective surface facing downward.

3. Seal seams: Overlap edges by about 2 inches and seal with under-concrete tape to block moisture.

4. Extend up walls: Run insulation 4–6 inches up the perimeter for continuous coverage.

5. Install radiant system (optional): Position radiant tubing or electric heating cables as required.

6. Pour the concrete: The insulation remains in place beneath the slab as a permanent thermal and vapor barrier.
   These steps ensure reliable long-term performance and a comfortable, energy-efficient floor.

Benefits of Using Prodex Total 5M for Slab Insulation

Prodex Total 5M combines reflective foil with a closed-cell polyethylene foam core, engineered specifically for under concrete, under slab, and radiant floor insulation applications.
Main advantages include:

• High thermal efficiency: Reduces conductive and radiant heat loss.

• Moisture and vapor protection: Acts as a vapor and radon barrier.

• Compression resistance: Withstands concrete weight without losing insulation value.

• Ease of installation: Lightweight rolls are easy to cut and handle.

• Versatility: Ideal for basements, garages, workshops, warehouses, and radiant-heated slabs.
  By combining multiple performance layers in one product, Prodex Total 5M offers lasting results under demanding concrete applications.

Long-Term Value of Slab and Underslab Insulation

Installing slab insulation is a one-time investment that delivers long-term savings and comfort. It minimizes energy loss, helps prevent condensation, and extends the life of your concrete floor and finished materials. In both cold and humid climates, under slab insulation contributes to a healthier, more durable building by improving the performance of the entire building envelope.

Frequently Asked Questions About Under Concrete and Slab Insulation

What is under concrete insulation and why is it important?

Under concrete insulation is a thermal and moisture barrier installed beneath a concrete slab. It helps reduce heat loss, control vapor, and maintain consistent indoor temperatures while helping prevent condensation and ground moisture intrusion.

What’s the difference between under slab and underslab insulation?

There is no difference — under slab insulation and underslab insulation refer to the same concept. Both terms describe insulation placed below a concrete slab to increase energy efficiency and protect against moisture.

Do I need insulation under a radiant floor system?

Yes. Radiant floor insulation ensures the heat produced by hydronic or electric systems is directed upward into the room rather than being absorbed by the ground. This maximizes comfort and efficiency while reducing heating costs.

What type of insulation should I use under a concrete slab?

Closed-cell foam with a reflective barrier—such as Prodex Total 5M—is recommended for under concrete insulationand under slab insulation. It resists compression, blocks vapor, and works well with radiant floor systems.

Can slab insulation help reduce energy costs?

Absolutely. Slab insulation helps prevent heat loss through the floor, improving comfort and lowering utility bills. Over time, this translates into meaningful energy savings and improved indoor conditions by controlling moisture migration.

Complete Guide:

How to Insulate a Concrete Slab