In ICF Construction, what is a good thermal break solution at a door threshold?
I am building a net zero home with ICF blocks serving as a frost wall. Our exterior above grade walls will also be ICF construction with the addition of 3.5" of EPS panels on the exterior. We will have a concrete slab floor.
What is the best method to support very heavy sliding doors and eliminate thermal bridging when building with ICF? I really like the Legalett Thermasill product, but it looks to have a proprietary design that only fits with their slab on grade system. Is there a similar product that can be used as a threshold to not only support the weight of the sliders but also be tough enough to act as a threshold on the exterior on the house?
Thanks,
Shaun
The Legalett Thermalsill insulated door sill for slab on grade floors is only available with Legalett-designed slabs unfortunately. It is a proprietary design that was created as a solution for Passive House slabs, and I honestly don’t know of any other commercially available product. Sorry about that Shaun!
I'm a little surprised that a solution isn't available as this must be a common issue for those trying to build to passive house or net zero standards. Are there any readers out there that have any insight that might help me? I know there was a product by Compacfoam, but this doesn't seem available in my area. Seems like a relatively easy solution. Perhaps a product from Nexcem/Durisol?
Thanks
Funny you should mention Durisol Shaun, I was just writing about them in the definitive history of ICF blocks & ICF Construction including Durisol, here.. I thought you might find that interesting!
By the way, if you're building to Net Zero or Passive House standards, it's essential to consider how the insulation and materials work together to meet energy goals. What is a Net Zero Energy home and how does it work? Net Zero homes focus on reducing energy consumption through high-performance construction methods, and ensuring proper thermal bridging solutions plays a key role in maintaining their energy efficiency.