Suspended Timber Ground Floor Ventilation

This allows air flow and ventilation to prevent the mould and dry rot that would otherwise occur over damp ground.

Suspended timber ground floor ventilation. This moisture build up can cause deterioration not only the timber joists but also any coverings placed over the joists. Supports underneath the floor are permanent and include sleeper walls or timber props placed at regular intervals. Ventilation in suspended timber floors can be achieved by installing vents. This chapter gives guidance on meeting the technical requirements for suspended ground floors including those constructed from.

A minimum ventilation void of 150mm should be provided below the underside of precast concrete and timber suspended floors. Commonly used in domestic projects suspended timber ground floors are usually installed to match an existing floor construction and ground levels. 5 2 10 damp proofing and ventilation. In the first instance the poor sub floor ventilation should send an alarm bell to have all suspended timber ground floor areas checked for moisture content decay and wood boring insect attack especially those timbers hidden within the sub floor voids.

Previously floor timbers had been prone to damp and rot thanks to their direct contact with the moist ground. Hollow floors also known as suspended or timber floors are simply timber joists suspended across and supported by load bearing walls under the floor. 5 3 drainage below ground. 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.

Unlike standard ground floor construction suspended floors are not sitting directly on the ground. Ventilation in floors especially suspended timber floors is very important so as not to facilitate the build up of moisture within the floor structure. The building regulations approved document c states suspended timber floors and suspended concrete floors including block and beam have a provision for ventilation on two opposing external walls of not less than 1500mm per metre run of external wall or 500mm per metre of floor area whichever works out to give the greater amount of. The ends of these timber joists are built into or suspended by joist hangers from the external walls of the property.

On shrinkable soil where heave could take place a larger void is required to allow for movement according to the volume change potential. Ground floor hollow or timber floor.