Full Answer
What is a suspended floor?
A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. The floor can be formed in various ways, using timber joists, precast concrete panels, block and beam system or cast in-situ with reinforced concrete.
What is suspended concrete?
Simply put, suspended concrete is a type of flooring system made of concrete and does not touch the ground. Usually, they are not in direct contact with the earth or ground and they form the roof or the floor above the ground level. Suspended concrete consists of concrete cement and steel mesh.
How are suspended slabs built?
How are suspended slabs built? 1 Precast concrete#N#Unlike on-site concrete pouring, a leading manufacturing approach is used to produce high-quality... 2 Pour-in-place More ...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of suspended timber floors?
It’s easier to run wires under the floorboards of a suspended timber floor, and because it doesn’t touch the ground, it will absorb less moisture from the earth so it limits structural damage from damp which is a benefit if your home is in an area with poor drainage. Q: What are the drawbacks to suspended timber floors?
What is suspended floor?
Why are suspended floors not sitting on the ground?
What is a suspended floor?
A suspended floor means you have a crawl space underneath your ground floor. Suspended timber floors are usually found in older houses, and are normally made from timber floorboards, which are attached to the joists just above the foundations of a house.
What is the difference between a ground floor and a suspended floor?
Unlike standard ground floor construction, suspended floors are not sitting directly on the ground. This allows air flow and ventilation to prevent the mould and dry rot that would otherwise occur over damp ground. However this air flow can leave the problem of draughts and cold in the house if not insulated correctly.May 16, 2019
What is solid floor construction?
A solid ground floor consists of a layer of concrete, which in the case of a domestic building will be the surface layer brought up to ground floor level with hardcore filling under it. The advantage of a solid ground floor is the elimination of dry rot and other problems normally associated with hollow joisted floors.
What are the two types of floor construction?
There are three general types of ground floor construction:Solid floor. A typical way of constructing a solid floor would be to provide a base of hardcore with sand blinding, with a layer of concrete over that. ... Suspended timber floor. ... Suspended concrete floor. ... Contaminated ground and radon.
How do you tell if you have a suspended floor?
The easiest way to differentiate between solid concrete and suspended timber is the “heel drop test”. Basically, stamping or jumping on the floor! Is there is any give to the floor or reverberation of the furniture in the room? Then chances are that it is a suspended timber floor.Apr 19, 2017
How do you do a suspended floor?
3:455:21Constructing a Suspended Floor to Building Regs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the insulation. So this timber floor in you need to lay it and then do an off cut and use theMoreAnd the insulation. So this timber floor in you need to lay it and then do an off cut and use the offcut as your next as your next piece down the bottom there so you never overlap in the joins.
What is suspended concrete floor?
A suspended concrete floor is a floor slab where its perimeter is, or at least two of its opposite edges are, supported on walls, beams or columns that carry its self weight and imposed loading. The floor spans between supports and will normally deflect under load to a dimension that is limited by the design used.
What are the advantages of using suspended timber floor?
It's easier to run wires under the floorboards of a suspended timber floor, and because it doesn't touch the ground, it will absorb less moisture from the earth so it limits structural damage from damp which is a benefit if your home is in an area with poor drainage.Dec 15, 2016
What is basement floor?
The basement of a building is a floor built partly or completely below ground level.
How do you ventilate a suspended timber floor?
Suspended timber floors should be well ventilated to reduce the risk of timber rot and musty smells. Ideally, there should be vents in the walls on either side of the floor to encourage cross-ventilation and minimise dead areas beneath the floor (Figure 1).
Which type of floor is used for residential buildings?
1. Which type of floor is used for residential buildings? Explanation: In residential buildings, the span is less and loads to be carried are light. So, a single joist timber can be used.
What are the types of floor?
7 Different Kinds of Floors and How to Clean Them. Did you know that the cost of flooring installation for a regular home can cost over $2000? ... Concrete Floors. ... Vinyl Floors. ... Terrazzo Floors. ... Linoleum Floors. ... Ceramic Tile Floors. ... Marble Floors. ... Wood Floors.Jan 31, 2018
What is suspended floor?
A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. The floor can be formed in various ways, using timber joists, precast concrete panels, block and beam system or cast in-situ with reinforced concrete. However, the floor structure is supported by external and internal walls.
What is a floor in construction?
According to Approved Document C, a floor is the 'lower horizontal surface of any space in a building, including finishes that are laid as part of the permanent construction. ' A floor typically provides: Structural support for the contents of the room, its occupants, and the weight of the floor itself.
How are precast slabs constructed?
Precast suspended slabs are constructed by pouring the slab in a formwork on the ground and then lifting the slab into its suspended position in the structure. Cast in-situ slabs use temporary works comprising formwork supported by falsework as follows: Temporary struts and beams are installed below the slab position.
What is a sleeper wall?
A sleeper wall is a short wall used to support floor joists, beam and block or hollowcore slabs at ground floor. It is constructed in this fashion when a suspended slab is required due to bearing conditions or ground water presence.
What is false flooring?
The False Flooring provided by us is a type of floor that provides an elevated structural floor above a solid substrate (often a concrete slab) to create empty space for the passage of electrical wires.
How much weight can a raised access floor hold?
How Much Weight Can a Raised Access Floor Hold? The weight load capacity range for standard raised access flooring is from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds.
Is it worth insulating under floor boards?
So the simple answer is Yes - it is worth insulating under the floor boards. The problem is that, unless you have space to get under the floor boards, it means taking the floor boards up. The illustration above is a typically method of insulating.
What is suspended floor?
What Is A Suspended Floor? In buildings where the internal height of the building is at least 5.5 meters, half floors connected to the lower area by a ladder constructed on the ground floor are called ASMA FLOOR. In buildings where mezzanine floors will be installed, the interior height must be at least 2.40 meters.
Why should a suspended ceiling be designed?
The suspended ceiling should be designed in accordance with the structure and flooring of the environment in order not to disturb the architectural integrity of the environment in which it will be placed. Nowadays, there are many suspended ceiling models. The most preferred of these models;
Why are mezzanine floors used?
The surrounding area remains open. The purpose of building mezzanine floors is to give more space to the existing space and to make the space more functional.
What is a suspended floor?
Floor structures are generally one of two types – solid or suspended. Suspended timber floors, which are typically found in older houses, are normally made from timber floorboards which are then attached to joists just above the foundations of a house.
What are the drawbacks of suspended timber floors?
Q: What are the drawbacks to suspended timber floors? They can tend to deteriorate more quickly as the timber can rot, so they need a little more maintenance than other flooring types. They can also feel a bit draughty which is why they need to be properly insulated.
Can you run wires under a timber floor?
It’s easier to run wires under the floorboards of a suspended timber floor, and because it doesn’t touch the ground, it will absorb less moisture from the earth so it limits structural damage from damp which is a benefit if your home is in an area with poor drainage.
Why do suspended timber floors need to be ventilated?
Suspended timber floors need to have spaces underneath ventilated via air 'bricks' through the outer walls and gaps in any internal walls so that the air can move across the building underneath the floors to prevent the build up of moisture in the timber which could lead to fungal attack.
What is the insulation value for suspended floor?
Any timber suspended floor should have insulation between the joists, in England and Wales the 2014 requirement was a U value of 0.11W/m 2 K for new build, 0.25W/m 2 K for refurbishments.
How big is the space between a concrete base and a floor?
However, where the space between the concrete base and the floor is greater than 45cm, Fig 3 shows an alternative arrangement where the joists are supported in the inner wall, the size of joists is dependant on the span of the floor and there will be a limit on the span that can be accommodated but this is unlikely to cause an issue in a domestic property.
Do air bricks have to be under the floor?
In old properties (1910 to 1980 ish), air bricks were often fitted just in the outer brick skin with a brick left out in the inner skin, thus the air brick vented both under the floor and the wall cavity, but modern regulations require the air brick to bridge the cavity and just ventilate under the floor.
What is suspended concrete?
Concrete Suspended Slabs. Suspended slabs are upper floors of the ground that do not come into direct contact with the Earth. They are often used to build floors for the upper stories of the house, but they can also be laid on top of the pre-built walls to form a floor.
What are suspended slabs composed of?
What are Suspended slabs compose off? The Suspended slabs consist of concrete and steel mesh. They are usually prefabricated off-site and deliver through trucks. Some plates have hollow passages through them - these “hollow sheets” help to reduce weight and help in running wiring and pipes through them.
What is precast concrete?
Precast concrete is an extremely universal product accessible in a variety of aspects, patterns, and finishes. Prefabricated products are used in a variety of applications, including construction, civil construction, raft slab, and landscaping. 2. Pour-in-place.
What is the goal of construction contractors?
The construction of accommodation that lasts a lifetime is the goal of professional construction contractors. To achieve this, the material that will last a lifetime should play a role. One of the many innovative products that a home builder can achieve instead in a well-designed home is the suspended slabs.
Can you use a suspended slab in a two story house?
More space available - Using suspended slab in your two-story house provides a lot of space, as you will have enough space to store your things. Areas such as those under concrete stairs can be used efficiently, and the built-in baton at the bottom of the concrete ceiling boards indicate that the ceiling plasterboard can be fixed without bias. The result will be the maximum height of the ceiling, which provides a consistent finish throughout the property.
What is suspended timber floor?
A suspended timber floor is usually constructed using timber joists suspended from bearing walls, which are then covered with either floorboards or some other for of boarding material. The joists are typically laid across the shortest span .
What is floor in construction?
According to Approved Document C, a floor is the 'lower horizontal surface of any space in a building, including finishes that are laid as part of the permanent construction .'
Why do we use sprung floors?
Sprung floors are used for activities such as dance, indoor sports, and multi-purpose halls where specific properties of shock absorption and energy return are desirable to reduce the occurrence of injuries that may result from repeated impact or falls. They can also help maximise performance .
What is solid floor?
Solid floors tend to require little maintenance and are less prone to movement. They are often built up from the following components : Sub-base: Well-compacted building rubble or loose stone-based material . Hardcore: Suitable filling material to make the required level, and create a solid base.
How to vent a void between the floor and the ceiling?
Ventilation may be provided to the void between the floor and the ceiling below by placing air vents / air bricks within the exterior walls, allowing air to travel from one side of the building to the other. This can, however, cause a problem of draughts, which can be avoided by installing an airtight breather membrane which will help maintain an airtight seal.
What is separating floor?
The term ‘ separating floor ’ is generally used to describe a floor designed to restrict the passage of sound between the spaces above and below. It is most commonly used in relation to residential buildings .
What are the benefits of a floor?
A floor typically provides: 1 Structural support for the contents of the room, its occupants, and the weight of the floor itself. 2 Resistance to the passage of moisture, heat and sound . 3 A surface finish which may contribute to the look, feel and acoustics of a space .
Why choose suspended floor?
The big benefit for choosing a suspended floor (whether concrete or timber) is that the construction is simple. The materials can be more expensive than other flooring options, but there is very little needed in the way of ground preparation which makes the overall cost lower on the whole, particularly for the labour involved.
How to construct a suspended timber floor?
There are three key things that need to be considered when constructing or renovating a timber floor: The span: It is possible to create a suspended floor of any size using sleeper walls to bridge the span. The span that can be achieved is determined by the size of the timber joist used.
What is the span between a sleeper wall?
Sleeper walls are built on small foundations and hold up the joists at regular intervals; the distance between them is referred to as the span. The width of these spans depends on the size of the timber used for the floor joists and more can be seen about joist spans in our loadbearing walls project.
What is a hollow floor?
Hollow floors, also known as suspended or timber floors, are simply timber joists suspended across and supported by load bearing walls under the floor. The ends of these timber joists are built into, or suspended by joist hangers from the external walls of the property.
Why is ventilation necessary on hollow timber floors?
Ventilation: Ventilation beneath a hollow timber floor is really important as if any moisture that collects cannot be ventilated away can cause rot. Airbricks need to be fitted on external walls and ventilation through the sleeper walls is required, whether using airbricks or half brick gaps in the wall construction.
What is a sleeper wall?
Sleeper Walls for Suspended Timber Floors. The purpose of the sleeper wall is to allow the use of smaller (thinner) timbers for the joists and to ensure that the joists for the suspended floor can span the required distance without the risk of failure.
What is a load bearing wall?
The internal load bearing walls are called sleeper walls and are very often built with gaps in between the bricks to allow a free flow of air under the floor. This stops any build up of condensation and is assisted by building in airbricks through the external walls.
What is suspended floor?
What are they? A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. The floor can be formed in various ways, using timber joists, precast concrete panels, block and beam system or cast in-situ with reinforced concrete. However, the floor structure is supported by external and internal walls.
Why are suspended floors not sitting on the ground?
Unlike standard ground floor construction, suspended floors are not sitting directly on the ground. This allows air flow and ventilation to prevent the mould and dry rot that would otherwise occur over damp ground. However this air flow can leave the problem of draughts and cold in the house if not insulated correctly.