While the variety of Because Beam and block flooring are made of hollow blocks, heating systems can be easily installed. A suspended timber floor is the chosen way for many builders and consumers because of the following facts: Since the insulation will slow the movement of heat through the floor, the home will feel more comfortable and warmer in the winter, but cooler in the summer months. 4. The Benefits of Beam and Block Flooring - Build It It is particularly suited to first-floor structural applications where it can replace traditional suspended timber joists and engineered wooden joists. The basic approach also provides a solid foundation for sound insulation which can be added to for additional performance. Are you a fan of concrete floors? Environmentalists are becoming more aware of the materials that theyre using in construction projects. Additionally, decorative techniques, England, United Kingdom, We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. While they are relatively easy to install, compared to ceramic tiles, natural stone and wood, its best to use skilled professionals to lay them. They form a bridge of narrow span across the minute part of the room. concrete floors have evolved over the thickness of material required to deliver the desired U-value. Beam and Block Concrete Flooring are used in; Suspended floor are floors with a beam or block infill that is above the floor and below the ceiling. Fixtures that are used in beam flooring are also easily removed, which allows for easy removal without causing any major damage to the floor below it. In Situ Concrete vs Prefabricated Steel: Pros and Cons to Consider To fill voids, treat the surface with a sand and cement grout to deter insects and vermin and improve airtightness. They can be used quickly in creating a usable working platform because the precast beams are easy to assemble. Basic design: $2 to $6 per square foot. Almost every flooring system has some type of advantage or disadvantage. Comment below to get your voice heard, Your email address will not be published. They are fast construction on the site. I bought a 1950s semi d three years ago, with similar floors to OP. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Enhanced Options for Suspended Timber Floors One of the problems that timber joists have is that they have a limited span and can be prone to twisting and warping (causing the creaking described above). Beam and block flooring can be removed without causing any damage to the flooring underneath. While the simple polished slab is sometimes exactly what is needed, homeowners also have the option of a variety of texturizing and colorizing techniques: In most circumstances, a residential concrete floor is created by grinding an existing structural concrete slab and applying a chosen polishing, colorizing, or texturizing technique. The principle advantages of precast floors are speed of construction, absence of scaffolding, large variety of types, large span capacity, & economy. Voided Slab Flat Plate Floor Construction Concrete Magazine. Professional suspended floor installation costs range between, DIY Cost for wooden floor insulation cost approximately, The material needed to fill the gaps between the floor and the skirting boardscost around. Glass Flooring Pros and Cons (Review) - Floor Techie Suspended slabs have to be pre constructed and lifted into place by a crane. be embedded into the concrete floor as a radiant A well-insulated house is very energy efficient and it will require very little additional heating and cooling according to requirement. Disadvantages of the Fingerprint Attendance System Beam and block concrete flooring has been used for decades in both commercial and residential buildings because of its environmental benefits, durability and versatility. Using this method of floor construction, noisy homes are lessened. Because they are manufactured offsite, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires heavy lifting equipment to be used to move the beams onto the site. 12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Precast Concrete The casted structural member is then transported to the construction site and then erected. What Is A Subfloor? High quality is due to managed situations within the manufacturing unit. Also, once they are onsite, you will need to allow them time to cure which can take up to a few weeks to complete. Beam and block floors are also much quieter than timber joisted floors, so if you have children or pets running around upstairs, they wont disturb anyone downstairs. They can be used on all types of soil conditions including clay, sand, and gravel, and when compared to other types of concrete flooring are generally cheaper. due to excess moisture. take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors to understand whether they are suitable for modern This is especially useful in infrastructural projects such as bridges, tunnels and hospitals. Whereas, once concrete is down, it would generally be too much work to disturb it in any way. What are the benefits of transparent roofing? Of all the types of flooring, this technology means that you can use blockwork for internal partitions, which can be plastered and painted to match the rest of your home. ceramic or any other delicate material accidentally drops on it. Adventurous DIYers can rent grinders to hone a concrete slab themselves, though this is not recommended. These days most homes are designed with concrete floors because damp proofing technology allows us to create a dry floor without an air gap. Leave a comment about whatyou think of them. Beam and block concrete flooring is a type of floor that has been in use since the 1990s. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Case Studies in Construction Materials, Volume 11, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00296. You can find timber suspended floors mainly in older houses in Britain. In some environments, you will also have to worry about the moisture freezing, expanding, and cracking the floor. Suspended slabs are above-ground level slabs which are not directly in contact with the earth. It is made with reinforced concrete blocks which are then sealed with a smooth finish. The time when a concrete floor meant just a poured and polished slab is long since gone. What Is a Floating Floor - Pros and Cons - ESB Flooring The inherent coldness of concrete can be offset to some extent through the use of carpets and throw rugs. Mid-range design: $7 to $14 per square foot. Between the bottom of the floor beam and the ground, a minimum distance of 150mm (225mm for heavy clay soils) must be maintained. to concrete to make it resemble ceramic or stone tiles. The right tools can be used to install this type of flooring as it does not require complex skills for installation. closed windows and doors). Provide soft mats or pet beds for added comfort. Please note that the information in Civiltoday.com is designed to provide general information on the topics presented. There are two main reasons why would you want to insulate a suspended timber floor. Draughts! 12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Precast Concrete. Insulation is usually added only during major refurbishment work. 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. If you purchase a product after clicking an affiliate link, Joalah Enterprises receive a small percentage of the sale for referring you, at no extra cost to you. Beam and block flooring mainly come in two types concrete beams and precast boards. For concrete flooring with a glossy finish, periodic repolishing of the floors can help in bringing back its sheen. What Is Decomposed Granite and What Can I Use It For? They are not really permanent floors because they just float on top of floors that are already in place, making them very easy to lay and manage. There may be chances of getting corrosion due to the alkali solution. Like any other material, polished concrete floors come with certain disadvantages. Beam and Block flooring come with a long list of benefits. This process can be dangerous due to a lack of training for handling heavy beams; therefore, it is highly advised that someone who has experience in this field should be used. to temperature, moisture or settling. The amount of energy and money you will save by implementing suspended timberinsulationwill also depend on how old your property is and the size of your house. Many homeowners are concerned about floor insulation. For 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. The surface of a concrete floor is very hardfalling onto concrete will hurt and may seriously injure people. Is it suitable for Indian homes? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. This treatment will need to be repeated at regular intervals; some experts advise a yearly reapplication. 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. My house has a suspended wooden floor and we get bad draughts mainly from the floor, which is also cold. hardness of the material makes it unsuitable for standing or sitting on it for Disadvantages include the likelihood of lateral tensional buckling of beams, careful detailing needed to encase precast concrete units and greater works are needed to transport, lift and place precast concrete units. Costs can range from $2 per square foot for a basic to $30 or more for high-end artistically rendered floors. Flat Plate Floor System - Features and Advantages Supports underneath the floor are permanent and include sleeper walls or timber props placed at regular intervals. As the name suggests, we are here to help you make buying decisions on the whole range of options that are out there when it comes time for your next renovation or DIY project. The high-density Precast Concrete is more durable against acid attack, corrosion, and impact, reduces surface voids, and resists the accumulation of dust. The length of time needed for Beam and Block Concrete Flooring to cure depends on numerous factors, including weather, temperature and humidity levels and the moisture absorbency of the environment in which it is placed. Floating wood floors: These types of floors are very fashionable and beneficial. The cost will vary quite drastically depending on the complexity of the job and how much of a knock-on effect it is going to have, but you can be sure that most homes will cost thousands of pounds to retrofit. A beam and block floor structure can be erected in just a few days. The effectiveness of the use of suspended structures in earthquake-resistant construction was confirmed by studies of the behavior of such objects in earthquake conditions. If not properly sealed on both top and bottom surfaces, concrete is easily penetrated by moisture when installed over bare soil. Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is a common way of making a concrete slab floor. Where the slab is in poor condition, a thin overlay of fresh concrete can be poured over the old slab; this overlay then becomes the base surface for polishing, colorizing, or texturing. This method does not depend on the weather, reducing site delays. 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. They are discussed below. Because the slab will bend in different ways depending on how many support walls it has, the main steel reinforcement has to be placed in different areas to even out the tension. The hardness of concrete also makes it uncomfortable to stand on for long periods. The strength of the beams significantly reduces the need for formwork, which can make installation faster and easier. Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Flooring - Western Canada Coatings In this blog, we are going to look at some of the implications of this type of house. It is made up of concrete blocks that are laid out in a pattern, with beams to support the structure. You can also have it installed for both commercial and residential purposes. Unsuitable for irregular shapes that have many specialized units are not suitable because the method relies on standardization as the key to efficiency. The high amount of concrete used in Beam and Block Concrete Floors gives it excellent sound absorption properties due to its mass. They are known as single floors as the beams bridge a single cross to run from wall to wall. Energy Efficiency If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you live in an older house withbig draughts and inadequate floor insulation, this could result into low temperatures and increased heating bills. Joalah Enterprises is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. There is no need of any sticking material, or nails, to fix this flooring. It's also unforgiving a dropped glass definitely won't survive and it may be a concern if there are small children or elderly folks in the household. Advantages and Disadvantages of Lightweight Concrete | Giatec Scientific This came with a roll of underlay. What are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors? heat loss fromthe fabric of the building (walls, ceilings, floors. Floors made of beams and blocks offer the following advantages: Handling is easy. According to the span, the shape of the block, and loading requirements, the beam profile will differ. Any disadvantages to Suspended timber flooring? Unfortunately, a consequence of this is that the floors can be quite draughty, with air bricks requiredto keep the timber dry. Plain concrete flooring cost Indian architects quote are around INR 55 per square foot, making them an economical option that are almost on par with the terracotta or basic ceramic floor tiles. 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. This insulates the floor, but still allows some air to circulate, preventing the timber from getting damp and rotting. 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 means . Suspended slab sub-flooring can be used as a ground floor slab for greater stability on hilly ground. Not ideal for remote and field workers. The cost of Beam and block flooring is relatively affordable when compared to other types of concrete flooring or timber floors. Standard rigid board insulation is typically laid on top of the floor, with new flooring add above this. 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. The information, prices, and advice listed on this site are only intended to be used as a guide.