Askaboutmoney.com - the Irish consumer forum. Hello, have you heard of Q-Bots robotic underfloor insulation? There are a number of enhanced options to replace simple timber floor joists. A solid floor is generally warmer because the concrete acts as a heat sink, being above the insulation board. Natural materials obtained from animals such as sheep wool. by combining colours, textures and patterns, along with polishing, etching and Thus, other forms of building were adopted. One advantage of timber that you have not mentioned is that the underfloor void remains as a useful space for ventilation ducts, cables, and drainage systems. This fast construction makes Beam and Block Concrete Flooring a popular choice for homeowners or business owners who are looking to save on time and money. It is better to install the insulation during the building of the property because any retrofit is likely to cause issues with doorways and fixtures and fittings in the property. They can be used quickly in creating a usable working platform because the precast beams are easy to assemble. These days most homes are designed with concrete floors because damp proofing technology allows us to create a dry floor without an air gap. Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is considered one of the more suitable types of infill due to its ability to absorb large amounts of shock before it causes problems with supporting the beam. This insulates the floor, but still allows some air to circulate, preventing the timber from getting damp and rotting. Environmentalists are becoming more aware of the materials that theyre using in construction projects. months to preserve the floor and to keep it in perfect condition for many Additionally, decorative techniques, It can be used for suspended floors on sloped sites, for ground that has poor bearing capacity, for sites with high water tables, or for sites with toxic chemical contamination. Concrete floors can be susceptible to settling and cracking over time, and this is a more frequent problem when an existing structural slab has adapted to a finished residential flooring surfacesuch as when a basement or loft condo has been converted to living space. such as stamping and staining, can be carried out with the help of rubber elements. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional services. 5 Types Of Concrete Slabs Construction Uses Definecivil. Concrete floors are a relatively expensive way to level the floor and provide adequate stability for buildings. Timber suspended floors have always been a popular method of construction and will probably be used by builders for many years to come. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It is made up of concrete blocks that are laid out in a pattern, with beams to support the structure. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Disadvantages Of Suspended Timber Floor | Viewfloor.co Just click on the icon! take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors to understand whether they are suitable for modern floor while it is still curing. Raised access flooring uses modular floor panels which are suspended over the actual floor by a series of supports. Suspended Ground Floor Beam & Block Floor and Cavity Blockwork Wall, Suspended Ground Floor Beam & Block Floor and ICF Wall, Suspended Ground Floor ThermoFloor and Cavity Blockwork Wall, Suspended Ground Floor ThermoFloor and ICF Wall, Suspended Ground Floor ThermoFloor and Timber Frame Wall, Suspended Ground Floor Timber Joists and Cavity Blockwork Wall, Unit 2, White Hart Road, What Is Decomposed Granite and What Can I Use It For? The Guide to Raised Access Floors - AirFixture You can reduce your carbon footprint by about 240kg per year by installing timber floor insulation. They can be refinished and will likely require it, especially in high-traffic areas. Like any other material, polished concrete floors come with certain disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss the major advantages of precast concrete and also the disadvantages of precast concrete. It is made from prestressed concrete, called beams, to create the support that are placed together into the floor frame. Cross-sections of beams can vary depending on the manufacturer. Concrete flooring is easy to clean and relativelymaintenance-free because it is tough and resistant to damages and stains. Some of your daily activities might have a damaging impact on it. Beam and Block Concrete floors are unsuitable for irregular shapes because they can only be laid out in a straight pattern. Another drawback of concrete is that it has little insulating value, and it will feel quite cold on winter morningsunless it has been installed in conjunction with a radiant floor heating system. What you have to watch is that you maintain ventilation to the existing sub-floor space by ducting under the concrete floor to air bricks in the extension. This is especially useful in infrastructural projects such as bridges, tunnels and hospitals. Usually the roof of the room beneath the floor is plastered or fixed with the plasterboard. Suspended slabs are made of concrete and steel mesh, the same as a ground slab. 94 Lilian Drive The precast elements used in its production make it more durable than other types of concrete flooring, like poured concrete or high-performance floors. If there is extensive refurbishment work happening however, it may be a good time to look at floor insulation. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The timber beams of the upper floors are bigger than the hollow ground floors as additional support is simply not possible in the upper floors. Beam and block floors can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it suitable for a wide range of construction needs. Q: What are the drawbacks to suspended timber floors? ! If not properly sealed on both top and bottom surfaces, concrete is easily penetrated by moisture when installed over bare soil. exterior space. It gives easy installation of under floor ducted heating systems. Leave a comment about whatyou think of them. This makes it difficult for light vehicles to move them around. This is to provide a solid and level foot for the floor slab. Because it is very heavy, Beam and Block Concrete Floors can damage buildings if not put in place properly or not supported properly. 7 simple ways to prepare your home for autumn, Combi Boiler Prices UK & Installation Cost 2021, Painting & Decorating Prices: Cost To Hire A Painter In 2021, How To Insulate A House | Tips From The Experts, 7 Strategic Tips in Boosting Your Home Improvement Blog, Cost of Running An Electric Boiler in The UK, Combi Boiler Installation Regulations in the UK. You can also have it installed for both commercial and residential purposes. Suspended floors have been benefiting from lightweight concrete for years, as it reduces the weight on the structure and increases fire resistance. Damping of Structures of Earthquake-Resistant Suspended Buildings Got full rewire and replacement of heating pipes, then put down Engineered Wood (formally known as semi-solid). Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. For concrete flooring with a glossy finish, periodic repolishing of the floors can help in bringing back its sheen. floor heating solution to keep the interiors warm. There arestill be many suspended floors out there however, because retrofitting them is prohibitively expensive and often impractical. Costs can range from $2 per square foot for a basic to $30 or more for high-end artistically rendered floors. Are there any disadvantage to this type of flooring? The flat plate floor system is the best choice for serving the purpose of a horizontal floor over a suspended ceiling. A sealed and properly maintained concrete floor can last indefinitely. While its long-lasting property is an advantage, and it isbio-degradable, the process of manufacturing concrete is not environment-friendly as it uses a lot more energy and emits greater volumes of carbon di oxide than other construction materials such as steel and glass. Yes, my suspended floor (some tiled, some wood) is freezing cold in . Because Beam and Block Concrete Floors are manufactured offsite, you need to consider the time needed to transport them to their final destination. They can be insulated and sealed which would solve the problem, but that's more $$$ and disruptive. It is not possible to lay insulation underneath a solid floor, so any insulation will need to go on top. They have good quality control. Required fields are marked *. Precast concrete floor slab is the most fully standardized precast concrete elements. Suspended floors can also be hung from these systems. Raising the floor level up above the ground acts as a barrier to damp coming up from the ground. Due to the nature of Beam and Block Concrete Floors, it may be difficult to re-grade it in the future if it is decided that there is a need for this. Concrete or sand are not required. Durability: Precast Concrete structure has a longer service time period and minimal maintenance. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Not everyone likes the cold feel of concrete under theirbare feet, when they get out of bed in the morning. For additional information please speak to a licensed professional in your area for up-to-date rules, regulations, city ordinances, and pricing. What Is A Subfloor? A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. A slab supported by four walls will sag in the middle creating two bends, so steel mesh is needed for stability. Beam And Block Flooring: Disadvantages And Advantages - Orlandi If you are doing it to improve the energy efficiency only, then intermediate level insulation will not have any value. They are commonly used to create floors for the upper storeys of houses, but can also be sat on top of pre-constructed walls to form a ground floor. Merits: Precast members have very high erection speed. As the beam is supported at each end, whether within load-bearing walls or external perimeter walls, no shuttering (support) is required on the underside of the floor. Beam and block flooring is relatively easy to transport, making it an ideal choice for construction projects that are spread out over a large area. Additionally, concrete acts as the base for many other flooring materials such as vinyl, ceramic tiles and wood, so the only cost incurred in renovating the floor, in such cases, will be to remove the tiles or coating from the existing base, applying a concrete stain or sealant and polishing to decorate and protect the floor. A polished and acid-stained concrete floor will likely look out of place in a classic colonial-style home, for example, but fit quite nicely into a contemporary-style home. The main purpose of this air flow is that it keeps the timber dry and prevents the possibility of dryness or wetness not occurring in the timber wood. The use of block and beam construction, also known as the bison beam, has a number of advantages over traditional solid hardwood floors. Electrical Maintenanceis required for all household electrical systems. In this blog, we are going to look at some of the implications of this type of house. Think we missed something? Usually, timber suspended floors are at the upper level than at the ground level. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Coloring and Finishing Options for Concrete Floors, Concrete Bathroom Flooring Review: Pros and Cons, 5 Best Concrete Floor Finishes That Look High-End, How to Insulate a Garage Floor With Plywood and Rigid Foam, 9 Most Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials for Kitchen Floors, How to Conduct a Simple Moisture Test on Concrete Floors, Top Bedroom Flooring Ideas for Every Budget, concrete is easily penetrated by moisture. You must log in or register to reply here. This results in an empty space between the raised floor panels, typically called a plenum , which can be used to route building services such as plumbing, wiring, and HVAC instead of above a suspended ceiling. flooring and consuming new materials. Above this 1.97 inches thick layer of fine ash, sand and weak mix concrete is covered to bind the surface. Environmentally conscious consumers can feel good about finishing an existing concrete slab, since this requires no manufacture of fresh concrete. Customer satisfaction is our priority! Suspended flooring helps to prevent any timber from coming in contact with any form of moisture. There are two main reasons why would you want to insulate a suspended timber floor. Between the bottom of the floor beam and the ground, a minimum distance of 150mm (225mm for heavy clay soils) must be maintained. This makes concrete floors particularly suitable Beam and block flooring mainly come in two types concrete beams and precast boards. It is also an ideal choice for indoor areas that are connected to an How Long Does A Tar And Chip Driveway Last?