Suspended Timber Floor Construction

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.

Suspended timber floor construction. They can normally span greater distances than timber joists. 6 4 11 joists supported by intermediate walls. Moisture management for suspended timber floor construction. These floor joists are raised above the subfloor on small supporting walls called tassel walls or sleeper walls.

Previously floor timbers had been prone to damp and rot thanks to their direct contact with the moist ground. The big benefit for choosing a suspended floor whether concrete or timber is that the construction is simple. 6 4 13 joists into hangers. Many suspended timber floor constructions have discontinuous insulation between the joists.

This creates a small gap and allows ventilation and air movement to prevent damp forming in the timber joists. 6 4 12 joists connected to steel. This construction is similar to the timber floor above but uses either pre cast concrete planks or small pre cast concrete beams with concrete blocks laid between the beams. A typical wood frame floor covered with carpet or vinyl flooring has a dead load of about 8 pounds per square foot.

If there s wall board covered ceiling suspended from the underside of that floor the dead load increases to about 10 pounds per square foot. 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. Suspended timber ground floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached to floor joists which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation. 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.

5 2 suspended ground floors. 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. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. 6 4 10 construction of timber floors.

All you need to know. That leaves an opening to improve moisture management and airtightness by fitting a tyvek membrane and carefully sealing the gaps and joints. Different types of ground floor suspended flooring. Ventilation is required in the same way as a suspended timber floor.