I was considering options to start isolating the thermal mass of my walls on the outer shell. In mulling options I have considered doubling the thickness of the outer EPS layer. Another option might be to coat a face of the outer form panels with ceramic paint (radiant paint). Having read previous threads in this forum regarding foil sheathing over ICF and I agree that the cost vs any realizable gain does not warrant its use.
Using a vertical ICF system and the low cost and labor involved with simply spraying it onto the exterior EPS panels, it may begin to make sense. I recently ran across some peers who said I should apply it to the "inside" face of the form above ground and on the outside under the waterproofing under. They argued that EPS holds enough trapped air to make the "radiant" barrier effective and that below grade, it reflected heat back into the slab and above, away.
I have always nixed using foil or radiant layers in my underslab vapor sheets because I don't feel they can function without an airspace adjacent to the reflective barrier. I remain skeptical that the "bubblewrap" layer they use provides enough airspace to make them effective. I am also skeptical that EPS would provide any "reflective" air space. Any thoughts on this? With the reduced cost and labor, would radiant barriers now make sense?
Not the only way, just another way.
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