Article #115 - Is There a Way to Avoid Bringing the Insulation to the Top of the Slab Edge so that a Carpet Tack Strip can be Attached?

The insulation can be cut at a 45-degree bevel cut (see figure) for residential construction. This solution, while it does not provide full vertical face insulation, is allowed in Section 502.2.1.4 of the 2000 IECC.

Horizontal slab insulation with bevel cut.

Bevel cut perimeter slab insulation. R-10 extruded polystyrene.

Rigid insulation can be used as the bond break material between the slab and footing (see figure below). This solution requires that you have a notch in the foundation wall.

A 2 x 8 pressure-treated mud sill can be placed on the stem wall to cover the top edge of the insulation (see figure below). A tack strip can then be attached to the mud sill.

Horizontal slab insulation with bond break.

Slab insulation with mud sill.