Insulated Raft Foundations for Smarter, Faster Groundworks

Insulated raft foundations are a faster, more efficient way to start your build right. These insulated foundation systems combine strength, speed and energy performance in one smart solution. Ideal for housing estates, apartment blocks, and commercial sites, insulated raft foundations reduce labour demand and simplify BER and NZEB compliance—right from the ground up.

We handle full insulated raft groundworks across Dublin and beyond, giving developers a smoother path to compliant construction

Contact Us Today

What is an Insulated Raft Foundation?

An insulated raft foundation is a solid, insulated concrete raft that forms both your base and ground floor slab in one seamless pour. Unlike traditional footings where trenches and blockwork take days, this insulated foundation method sets everything up in one go. It’s quicker, neater and far more energy efficient.

The insulated concrete raft sits directly on compacted ground with built-in formwork that locks in thermal performance and prevents ground moisture issues—critical for airtight, NZEB-ready structures. It also acts as a perfect base for your insulated wall system, keeping the entire structure airtight and thermally sound.

For developers who want a faster, more energy-efficient start to the build, the insulated concrete raft base is a smart solution.

  • That’s why so many developers now rely on insulated raft systems for energy-efficient foundations that are quicker to build and easier to manage on site.

Why Developers Use Insulated Raft Foundations

More and more developers across Ireland are choosing insulated foundations for housing estates and large-scale projects. Why? Because they make life easier on site and help tick all the boxes when it comes to compliance and performance.
With labour shortages and rising material costs, traditional groundworks are becoming harder to manage. That’s where insulated raft foundations really shine. They simplify the whole process, reduce labour needs and help keep things on schedule.
Here’s what makes insulated raft foundations such a smart choice for developers:

  • Faster build timelines with one single pour
  • Fewer workers needed on site to get the job done
  • Ideal for soft or uneven ground conditions
  • Excellent thermal performance for BER compliant foundations
  • A great fit for NZEB ready builds and energy-efficient housing schemes
  • Perfect for larger developments like housing estates and multi-unit blocks

Our Process for Insulated Raft Installation

Here’s how we handle raft foundation builds from start to finish at Daly’s Construction:

  • We begin with a full site assessment to check ground conditions, layout and drainage.
  • Our insulated raft groundwork specialists prepare the site and base setup with insulated shuttering and proper reinforcement.
  • We pour the concrete and create the entire insulated foundation and slab in one go for strength and speed.
  • Once poured, we manage the curing process to prevent cracks or cold spots
  • Structural inspections are carried out to ensure the Insulated raft foundation meets all building standards
  • We manage every stage—from prep to pour to inspection—with clear coordination and full regulatory alignment.


Where Insulated Raft Foundations Work Best

Insulated raft foundations are a solid choice for lots of different project types. They’re especially useful where time, ground conditions, or building scale play a big role. You’ll see this method used in:

  • Insulated raft foundations for multi-unit housing where fast setup and energy performance matter
  • Foundations for apartment blocks needing strength, insulation and airtightness from the ground up.
  • Commercial Insulated foundations built on tight timelines with high compliance needs
  • Council-led projects where long-term savings and building standards are key
  • Sloped sites or poor soil where traditional strip foundations would be tricky or too slow
  • This approach gives developers a head start right from the base.

Why Choose Daly’s Construction for Insulated Raft Work

When it comes to insulated foundations, you want a team that knows the ground beneath your build and the standards above it. At Daly’s Construction, we’re proud to be recognised as ICF foundation experts in Dublin, with over 15 years of hands-on experience in insulated groundwork systems.
Our crews are based locally across Dublin and Leinster, so we know the conditions, councils and timelines you’re working with. As trusted builders in Ireland, we stay on-site from prep to pour, keeping everything on schedule and up to spec.
With full project support and a sharp eye on quality, we make sure your raft foundations are installed right the first time—ready for inspection, handover, and long-term performance.

Let’s Talk Foundations That Work

Planning a housing estate, apartment block or commercial build? Book a site visit for insulated raft foundations with Daly’s Construction and experience the speed, compliance, and consistency of expert foundation work—backed by a trusted, local team. Our team will walk the site with you, talk through your options, and explain how our insulated raft foundation system can save time, reduce costs and meet compliance from day one.
Ready to get started?

Contact Us Today

FAQs

Yes, they’re ideal for multi-unit housing schemes. Insulated raft foundations speed up the groundwork phase, reduce labour needs and make it easier to keep large developments on schedule.

They can. Because the slab and base are fully insulated, you get excellent thermal performance from the ground up. That makes compliance with BER and NZEB much more straightforward.

 Installation time depends on the site, but it’s typically quicker than traditional footings. Once the prep is done, we can pour the insulated raft base in a single go and move on quickly to the wall build.

Yes, we regularly install raft systems on sloped or soft ground, providing engineered solutions that ensure stability and performance.