A range of concrete or masonry buildings can be constructed with in-situ, suspended concrete floors (ground or upper) using this technique, and it is increasingly being used in residential construction. A basic concrete floor design includes pouring the slab or overlay, then a basic polishing and single colorizing treatment (staining or dyeing). Unfortunately, a consequence of this is that the floors can be quite draughty, with air bricks required to keep the timber dry. Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. hardness of the material makes it unsuitable for standing or sitting on it for Tips For Choosing Commercial Roofing Contractors. While it is somewhat rare, it's also possible to install concrete flooring over a wood-framed subfloor. A sealed and properly maintained concrete floor can last indefinitely. Environmentally conscious consumers can feel good about finishing an existing concrete slab, since this requires no manufacture of fresh concrete. Precast concrete floor slab is the most fully standardized precast concrete elements. Here are advantages and disadvantages of installing glass flooring Pros of Glass Flooring 1. 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. closed windows and doors). If there is extensive refurbishment work happening however, it may be a good time to look at floor insulation. A beam and block floor structure can be erected in just a few days. Cross-sections of beams can vary depending on the manufacturer. It is more cost effective in residential areas. This can cause a problem if there isn't enough room, so check your site carefully well before installing this kind of base. The precast elements used in its production make it more durable than other types of concrete flooring, like poured concrete or high-performance floors. The time when a concrete floor meant just a poured and polished slab is long since gone. One of the advantages of beam and block is that a larger distance between internal walls or beams can be accommodated. due to excess moisture. Cons of Concrete Floors Concrete floors are hard There's no denying that concrete is hard underfoot, a quality that some find uncomfortable. Timber suspended upper floors: Similar to the timber suspended ground floors, the timber suspended upper floors also contain timber sheets of man-made board laid over that are supported through timber beams. Forget Hair Loss; Go For Scalp Micro Pigmentation, Everything About Concrete Driveway Removal, Moving on a Budget: How to handle a move during the holidays, Moving on a Budget: How to Save Money When Relocating, Coomeet and Omegle TV- Comparison of Random Video Chat, Can be used where other slabs can't - for example, on steeply sloping terrain, Relavitely easy to install once the supports and machinery are in place, More effective than bearer / joist sub-floors in blocking out noise from upper floors, Not as well insulated as a ground slab, as the base doesn't touch the ground. The ability to reuse the concrete makes it a much better option financially than similar products such as timber flooring. Thanks Tony. It is also available impregnated with wax to make water-resistant and termite-resistant versions. vinyl or carpet, can be installed, using an underlay between the concrete and Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Where a fresh slab or overlay is being poured, colorizing agents can be mixed into the concrete before it is poured. 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. Beam and block flooring can be used in both commercial and residential buildings. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Suitable to host underfloor heating systems. 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. Beam floors can also last for a lifetime with minimal maintenance. Here, the process involves pouring a thin layer of overlay concrete over a carefully prepared subfloor, then applying the chosen colorizing and polishing techniques. 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. Today, we Due to its strength, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring can be used in factories for industrial flooring. Disadvantages Of Suspended Concrete Floors Advantages And Disadvantages Of Suspended Floors Disadvantages Of In Situ Suspended Concrete Floors Are Suspended Floors Bad Are Suspended Floors Good Why Use Suspended Floors Disadvantages Of Suspended Timber Floor Disadvantages Of Suspended Floors In Construction viewfloor Your email address will not be published. Usually the roof of the room beneath the floor is plastered or fixed with the plasterboard. Electrical Maintenanceis required for all household electrical systems. Beam and block concrete flooring has been used for decades in both commercial and residential buildings because of its environmental benefits, durability and versatility. And the design options are remarkably diverse. It is available in various thickness (50mm and 100mm are the most easily available) and in a variety of sizes commonly in the size of 2.4 x 1.2m. If you found this article useful, discover the differenttypes of flooring materials and how they compare with each other. stain or coating on the surface. the years, making it a versatile material that adapts to almost any design or Generally modern houses are built to very good insulation standards, but old houses in the United Kingdom need a lot of work to be done on their insulation. The surface of a concrete floor is very hardfalling onto concrete will hurt and may seriously injure people. Block floorings are composed of rectangular units or blocks that are set in mortar or adhesives to create a concrete floor. For They can also feel a bit draughty which is why they need to be properly insulated. Despite the fact that laying a slab of concrete is generally very cheap, it takes time for it to be set up and for it to dry, so in recent years, the beam and block suspended floor has gained popularity. Adventurous DIYers can rent grinders to hone a concrete slab themselves, though this is not recommended. However this air flow can leave the problem of draughts and cold in the house if not insulated correctly. For new floors, colour can be mixed into the raw concrete how is hardcore finished for suspended floors. This means . There is one very important thing to know about insulating suspended timber floor. This can cause the floor to take a long time to cure which means more money spent on labor costs. 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 Concrete Flooring are used in; Suspended floor are floors with a beam or block infill that is above the floor and below the ceiling. Are there any disadvantage to this type of flooring? 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. The flat plate floor is constructed with an economical span that takes up medium loads and avoids the chances of long-term deflection. Its easy-to-maintain properties make concrete suitable as a flooring material for the outdoors. However, these cracks can be repaired Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This website uses cookies. We often get asked whether you should insulate floors between levels, as well as the ground floor. grey paving stones or blocks are commonly seen in outdoor spaces or on thefloors of car parks and garages in commercial buildings and shopping malls. The more expensive variants, such as concrete with micro topping, cost around INR 250 per square feet, which is still cheaper than some of the other types of flooring materials such as natural stone or decorative ceramic tiles. When concrete is highly polished or buffed, or when coated with a gloss sealer, the surface can be very slippery, especially when wet. A beam and block floor can easily be installed without causing any major disruptions to the surrounding environment. heat loss fromthe fabric of the building (walls, ceilings, floors. You can also have it installed for both commercial and residential purposes. It is necessary to provide temporary lateral supports for beams to prevent lateral tensional buckling during construction. doors. Nowadays, stained When too cold, heat can be lost in all directions, so you should think of integral insulation to keep the heat in your house. minimalist theme, with advances in technology, colour and texture can be added Suspended slabs are made of concrete and steel mesh, the same as a ground slab. 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. Suspended timber floors consists of floorboards made up of timber attached to flooring joints which are then suspended above building foundations. take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors to understand whether they are suitable for modern min thickness= 100mm . 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. Disadvantages Of In Situ Suspended Concrete Floors Disadvantages Of Suspended Floors Advantages Of Suspended Concrete Floors Are Suspended Floors Bad Disadvantages Of Suspended Concrete Floors Pdf Disadvantages Of Suspended Concrete Floors In Construction About The Author viewfloor More from this Author Requires machinery to lift heavy beams Because they are manufactured offsite, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires heavy lifting equipment to be used to move the beams onto the site. You can find timber suspended floors mainly in older houses in Britain. A concrete floor is extremely strong and durable, and if it is properly installed and maintained, it can last for as long as you own the house. 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. You are using an out of date browser. Almost every flooring system has some type of advantage or disadvantage. There's a chance it can leak once constructed - often caused by reduced skill levels and on-site quality control when being constructed It's very labour intensive on-site work - and it can take a long time. homes. But energy bills can be reduced by 10%-15% by using proper insulation as insulation prevents heat from moving toward cold areas. Costs can range from $2 per square foot for a basic to $30 or more for high-end artistically rendered floors. be embedded into the concrete floor as a radiant Due to its durability and resilience, concrete can withstandthe effects of the natural elements such as the sun and the rain. Tongue-and-groove particleboard is a popular floor substrate material as it is relatively low cost, strong and durable. Like any other material, polished concrete floors come with certain disadvantages. A structural concrete topping may be placed over insulation slabs and a damp-proof membrane (if the floor is on a ground floor) or vapour barrier if it is a first floor. You also have to wait for the concrete to cure before you can can load it This method can easily be out of tolerance (at around +-20mm) Fantilli, O. Mancinelli, B. Chiaia. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. By digging out a site, concrete support walls can then be erected to bring the slab height to ground level. This type of flooring has been around for decades but it has recently become more popular among homeowners because of the many design options available. Though it is a versatile product, it has some advantages as well. We don't have any of ours tiled but there is small bit of give/movement in a few spots, which would likely cause problems with tiles. In most cases, shuttering is not necessary. stencils and pigments to create texture and patterns on the surface of the By continuing to use our website you agree to our Data Protection Policy, which you can view, From None to Current Building Regulations (Electric Heating). This insulates the floor, but still allows some air to circulate, preventing the timber from getting damp and rotting. can be customised to suit any design style. As a result, materials such as beam and block flooring that are made from recycled wood is becoming more popular. The damp proof covering should not be placed directly on the hardcore. The properties of beam and block make it a suitable material for use for suspended ground and upper floors settings. There are two basic ways to make the floors of a building. Insulation is usually added only during major refurbishment work. The range of steel based floor systems is presented in general terms, with the advantages and disadvantages of each system . Due to the nature of the product, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is very heavy when compared to other similar slab products. The basic approach also provides a solid foundation for sound insulation which can be added to for additional performance. 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. such as stamping and staining, can be carried out with the help of rubber In the last case, there are so many options to improve the energy efficiency of your house. They can be used quickly in creating a usable working platform because the precast beams are easy to assemble. Beam-and-block floors are composed of clay or concrete blocks (known as pots) that are supported by parallel, usually prefabricated, prestressed concrete beams or ribs. concrete flooring is inexpensive compared to other types of materials such as Because beams and blocks are made out of concrete, they have a tendency to crack over time which can cause the floor underneath them to fall apart. You also don't have to worry about damage from most dropped items. A complete assessment of your current electrical system is needed before beginning any type of electrical work. They form a bridge of narrow span across the minute part of the room. the thickness of material required to deliver the desired U-value. I havent but it sounds a good idea, although I am definitely not a fan of spray adhesive, as I worry about the wood in the floor rotting as water cant escape. concrete floors often replace natural stone or ceramic tiles even in modern-style 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. Well maintained insulated floor is considered as the most important part of modern life style. As they have the same strength, they will wear away over time just like any other concrete floors. So, the better the insulation, the colder your refrigerator can stay, and the warmer your house can be. link to The Importance Of Regular Electrical Maintenance In Your Home, link to Tips For Choosing Commercial Roofing Contractors, Suspended floors can also be hung from these systems, Because beams and blocks are manufactured off-site, it is economical, As hollow blocks do not need time to cure as poured concrete slabs, they are often lighter and quicker to construct than in situ slabs. If you are doing it to improve the energy efficiency only, then intermediate level insulation will not have any value. Voided Slab Flat Plate Floor Construction Concrete Magazine. Above this 1.97 inches thick layer of fine ash, sand and weak mix concrete is covered to bind the surface. It has simply the best construction way for sloping sites, low-lying areas or sites with bad climatically conditions. The very first layer is made up of hardcore compositions of crushed stone and of broken brick of 3.94 inches to 5.90 inches in thickness. 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. Another is that a suspended system with an adequate void underneath provides protection against moisture without requiring a concrete oversite. There may be chances of getting corrosion due to the alkali solution. Area rugs can help alleviate concerns. . Think we missed something? 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. Because of this cost, it is usually not worth it to insulate your floors. Concrete has similar virtues when used as a residential flooring material. Beam and block floors can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it suitable for a wide range of construction needs. If the timber beams are more than 1.3 ft in thickness then a binder is used to support the beams. The average lifespan of a tar and chip driveway is around 7 to 14 years. 1.3.3 PRECAST CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB. Using polished cement concrete flooring inside a house guarantees peace of mind as it will last for years with very little maintenance, unlike other materials such as vinyl, ceramic or wooden floors that are more prone to scratches, cracks and tears, which require them to be replaced every few years. It is not possible to lay insulation underneath a solid floor, so any insulation will need to go on top. Requires machinery to lift heavy beams into place. 1. In some environments, you will also have to worry about the moisture freezing, expanding, and cracking the floor. long. These days most homes are designed with concrete floors because damp proofing technology allows us to create a dry floor without an air gap. It is made with reinforced concrete blocks which are then sealed with a smooth finish. A flat plate floor system depending upon the load and deflection criteria can be either pre . Glass blocks are brittle. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Draughts! Slough SL1 2SF, Berkshire, Case Studies in Construction Materials, Volume 11, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00296. They are not fixed, to the sub floors an anyway. The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. Because it is a prefabricated product, Beam and block concrete flooring has no joints to adjust or work on so it is relatively easy to install. A rigid insulation slab can be used instead of concrete hollow blocks when a lightweight, insulated floor slab is needed. Because of this, beam and block concrete flooring are a popular choice for those who want to cut costs while still maintaining good architectural look. In colder regions, electrical cables or hot water pipes can There are a few ways to insulate a suspended floor, but the best, most breathable way is to hang insulation under the floorboards. This site is owned and operated by Joalah Enterprises. Thus, other forms of building were adopted. flooring grade OSB, ply, etc.) 2017-2023 Homadvceguide.com - All Rights Reserved. In the case of existing floors, the surface can be Because it is a natural material, the color and texture of DG can vary [], How Long Does A Tar And Chip Driveway Last? Askaboutmoney.com - the Irish consumer forum. A.P. They are discussed below. Additionally, the Suspended slabs are above-ground level slabs which are not directly in contact with the earth. A subfloor is a structural component of a home that sits between the decorative floor covering and the structure of the floor. Hello, have you heard of Q-Bots robotic underfloor insulation? If you know how to install it, you can complete the project in a very short period of time. During the winter good insulation prevents cold to enter the house and similarly in summer heat can be prevented by using good insulation. for outdoor areas such as terraces and patios, which are exposed to the weather Suspended floors have been benefiting from lightweight concrete for years, as it reduces the weight on the structure and increases fire resistance. These are typically used in multi-storey dwellings for upper floors, but can also be used to good effect on the ground level in hilly terrain. Better acoustic insulation: The density of the floor materials helps to deaden sound transfer across storeys; so noisy children (or indeed adults) won't be able to disturb your peace. They have good quality control. Concrete or sand are not required. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. Because Beam and block flooring are made of hollow blocks, heating systems can be easily installed. So, are concrete floors suitable for modern homes? They always want to know about the costs of heating and cooling their home. What Is Plexiglass? Some slabs have hollow channels running through them - these 'hollow core slabs' are used to help reduce weight, and also to allow cabling and piping to be run through the slab. 155mm House Beams are able to span up to a 7 metre point, while 225mm Deep Beams can span up to an 8 metre point under normal residential loading. Undeniably, the process of manufacturing raw concrete, While the toughness and strength of concrete are anadvantage, this can also work against it as breakages are unavoidable if glass, Unsuitable for irregular shapes that have many specialized units are not suitable because the method relies on standardization as the key to efficiency. Monolithic Definition Footing Slab Foundation Advantages Disadvantages Of. Homeowners are concerned about noise within their homes. Increased fire resistance: Beam and block floors are resistant to fire; they won't deform, twist or collapse when exposed to high levels of heat. England, United Kingdom, We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Once in place, the edges are grouted for waterproofing and after a few days, more concrete is poured on top as a cap. To give access to this air, bricks are built into the outer structural walls of the building. Only advantage is that it is easier to take up and put down underfloor heating. The end of the timber beams which is built into the walls will be covered with some preservative to protect the timber from moist and such. Insulation works in one of two ways, by keeping the heat away from the room, as it does in a refrigerator, or by keeping the heat inside the room, as it does when it prevents warm air from moving through the walls. Ribbed Or Waffle Slab System Advantages Disadvantages Civildigital. During the manufacturing of timber suspended floor, it is supported at its ends on small sleeper walls and at different intervals along its length on honeycomb sleeper walls.