Why are timber floors suspended?
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. This creates a small gap and allows ventilation and air movement to prevent damp forming in the timber joists.
How much heat is lost through a suspended wooden floor?
While the two flooring types are very different, the general estimated heat loss for all flooring is around 10%. This figure is a lot lower than the loft or walls, but still plays a key role in the amount of heat that a property is losing.
What is raised timber floor?
This is a method of floor construction in which timber joists are supported by load bearing walls or foundations and typically covered with floorboards on the top. This creates a gap to accommodate ventilation and reduce the chance of damp accumulation.
Should I insulate first floor or ground?
Putting insulation between the ground and first floor should, in theory, stop sound, vibration and heat from moving between levels in your property. This will also increase thermal insulation for the room above and below, making them more comfortable to be in and quieter too.
Can I replace suspended floor with concrete?
Many buildings with suspended timber floor suffer from rot and insect attack in the ground floor timbers due to poor sub floor ventilation. So in many cases the floor timbers and joists become so badly damaged you may feel the only answer is to replace the damaged timber floor with a concrete floor.
Are suspended timber floors still used?
Timber floors were originally designed to prevent damp. There are still be many suspended floors out there however, because retrofitting them is prohibitively expensive and often impractical.
What is the best way to insulate a suspended timber floor?
Answer: Ideally a fibrous insulation such as mineral wool or sheep’s wool performs best between timber because it will take up thermal movement and cut down air movement around the insulation. ‘Thermal bypass’ affects performance, so cutting out draughts is preferable.
How do you deaden sound between floors?
3 effective ways to reduce noise between floors
- Remove the ceiling drywall (or other surface) and the furring strips attached to the joists.
- Fit insulation such as fibreglass or cellulose wool between the floor joists to completely fill the cavity.
- Fasten resilient channels spaced 24 in.
- Install two layers of ½ in.
Why do some houses have suspended floors?
A requirement of all suspended floors is that they have a constant flow of fresh air which is brought in by the placement of air bricks within the exterior wall. This is required to provide a good air flow under the floor.
How does a suspended timber ground floor work?
Suspended Timber Ground Floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached to floor joists, which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation. These floor joists are raised above the subfloor on small supporting walls called tassel walls (or sleeper walls). A wallplate is then attached to the top…
What do you need to know about raised wood floors?
Raised Wood Floors. A raised wood floor system is an assembly of beams and girders, floor joists, and plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) floor sheathing, all properly sized, connected together and placed on a foundation. A raised wood floor system is designed to elevate the living space off the ground, isolating it from moisture and pests.
What kind of lumber is used for raised flooring?
With a raised floor system, your home is up off the ground away from pests. For optimum protection against termites, pressure-treated and kiln-dried after treatment (KDAT) Southern Pine lumber is available. 10.
What kind of flooring is used for a ground floor?
Ground Floor – Hollow or Timber Floor 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 ends of these timber joists are built into, or suspended by joist hangers from the external walls of the property.