Suspended Timber Ground Floor

This chapter gives guidance on meeting the technical requirements for suspended ground floors including those constructed from.

Suspended timber ground floor. All ground floor constructions unless very large commercial floors will require some insulation to be included within the floor zone to comply with building regulation requirements. At the turn of the 18th century when construction techniques moved from boarded floors installed directly on the ground to suspended timber floors over a ventilated chamber the innovation solved a significant problem. Previously floor timbers had been prone to damp and rot thanks to their direct contact with the moist ground. 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.

There are 2 types of floor construction used in the building industry today. 5 1 17 ground floor slab and concrete. Solid floors are a lot more substantial and require the ground to be made up in layers of ground sub base sand compacted hard core damp proof membrane insulation and concrete. These floor joists are raised above the subfloor on small supporting walls called tassel walls or sleeper walls.

Different types of ground floor suspended flooring. 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 floor can be formed in various ways using timber joists precast concrete panels block and beam system or cast in situ with reinforced concrete. Although timber ground floor construction used to be a popular method today it is not as common as the concrete alternatives.

The ends of these timber joists are built into or suspended by joist hangers from the external walls of the property. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. A suspended timber floor is constructed as a timber platform of boards nailed across timber joists supported on sleeper walls and the external and internal load bearing walls surrounding them. Suspended timber ground floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached to floor joists which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation.

If the ground floor in question is of a suspended timber construction and whether this is a renovation or new build project then the insulation would normally. 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. Concrete vs timber floors. 5 1 18 laying the ground bearing floor slab.

These can be classed as either suspended or solid.