05.

Foundation/Floor Slab-to-Wall

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 ROXUL® Building Science Notes
01. GENERAL
a. Detail is applicable to grade-level wall- to basement, stem wall, or slab-on-grade interface.

02. STRUCTURE
a. A concrete foundation wall and floor slab with CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) infill wall above is pictured. Alternates for the infill wall
structure include light gage metal stud with exterior gypsum board sheathing.

03. RAIN WATER CONTROL LAYER

a. A drained-screen approach to rain water control (as illustrated) is recommended.
b. The continuous, fully-adhered membrane applied to the exterior surface of the CMU wall (blue line in detail) is the primary rain water
control layer. Water penetrating the exterior cladding must be directed to the exterior by this layer.
c. Material options for the continuous, fully-adhered membrane include:
i. “peel and stick” self-adhered membrane
ii. liquid or fluid applied membrane
iii. building wrap membrane may be acceptable for low-rise, low-exposure buildings
d. A transition membrane (green line in detail) provides a positive slope for drainage over the continuous steel shelf angle supporting
the cladding. The top of the transition membrane is sealed to the primary drainage control layer by a termination membrane.
e. Material options for the transition membrane and termination membrane include:
i. “peel and stick” self-adhered membrane
ii. butyl adhesive flashing tape
iii. acrylic sheathing tape may be acceptable for use with SBPO building wrap
f. A minimum of 200mm (8”) separation between the exterior cladding and finished grade is recommended. Designers should specify
this separation and the surface material and slope of finished grade to minimize “splash back” of rain water onto the lower portion of
the wall.
g. A free-draining foundation insulation/water management system for the below-grade wall is recommended.

04. AIR CONTROL LAYER

a. The continuous, fully-adhered membrane applied to the exterior surface of the CMU wall (blue line in detail) is the primary air control
layer. The membrane is fully supported by the CMU wall and continuous through the detail illustrated.
b. Material options for the continuous, fully-adhered membrane include:
i. “peel and stick” self-adhered membrane
ii. liquid or fluid applied membrane
iii. SBPO building wrap membrane may be acceptable for low-rise, low-exposure buildings

05. THERMAL CONTROL LAYER

a. ROXUL® CAVITYROCK® MD or DD continuous insulation is the primary thermal control layer.
b. ROXUL® DRAINBOARD® insulation is the primary thermal control layer for the below-grade wall.
c. The amount of insulation recommended varies by climate region (see Table 1)
d. Note that the insulation board is cut to allow the transition membrane (green line in detail) to create a positive slope for drainage over
the continuous steel shelf angle.

06. VAPOR CONTROL LAYER

a. The continuous, fully-adhered membrane applied to the exterior surface of the CMU wall (blue line in detail) is the primary vapor
control layer.
b. The assembly as illustrated is a “vapor open” assembly, meaning that there is a single line of vapor control and that drying can occur
towards the interior or towards the exterior from this line. Selection of vapor-open interior finishes should be considered.

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 ROXUL® Building Science Notes Continued...
07. EXTERIOR CLADDING
a. A drained and back-ventilated stone veneer cladding is illustrated.
b. Material options for the exterior cladding include:
i. Clay brick veneer supported on shelf angle and restrained by brick ties
ii. Small-format, hand set precast concrete panels
iii. Light-weight metal panel system
c. The continuous steel shelf angle is supported on “knife-edge” plates welded to steel plates cast into the concrete foundation wall.
This reduces the impact of thermal bridging through the continuous insulation.

08. QUALITY CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS

a. Inspect the lapping of membrane pieces to ensure that pieces are installed in “shingle” fashion.
b. Ensure a tight fit where the exterior insulation is cut to allow installation of the transition membrane.
c. Ensure that the finished grade is sloped away from the building.

Table 1: Effective R-value Recommendations by Climate Zone for Steel-Framed, Commercial Construction, as per
ASHRAE 90.1

Climate Zone Wall Vented Compact Foundation Exposed Slab Windows Sub-slab
Attic Roof Wall Floor Edge (U/SHGC)
1 10 30 15 5 10 none 1.2/ <0.25 none
2 10 40 20 5 20 5 1.2/ <0.25 7.5
3 15 40 20 5 20 7.5 0.6/<0..25 10
4 20 40 20 5 30 7.5 0.40/<0.4 15
5 20 40 20 5 30 10 0.35/<0.4 15
6 20 40 20 10 30 10 0.35/<.40 15
7 20 40 20 10 30 15 0.35/-- 20
8 20 50 20 10 40 20 0.35/-- 20

DISCLAIMER: Building Science Consulting Inc. and Roxul Inc. have exercised due care to insure that the data and information contained in this document is accurate. However,
this document is for general reference use only. Specific end use applications vary widely as to design, materials, and environments. Thus, what is appropriate in any specific
end use application is a determination that must be made independently by the experienced engineer in their own professional judgment. Building Science Consulting and
Roxul fully disclaim any liability for any of the content contained in here whether such liability be premised on a theory of contract, tort, or otherwise.

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