The aim of this article is to highlight the requirements that may exist for a given building project, and indicate how these requirements should drive the designer towards the most appropriate, sustainable, potentially reusable and cost-effective choice of floor system.. You might need to replace them more frequently. such as stamping and staining, can be carried out with the help of rubber Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is also used in commercial buildings due to its high strength and durability levels. This is especially useful in infrastructural projects such as bridges, tunnels and hospitals. In this blog, we are going to look at some of the implications of this type of house. Suspended slab sub-flooring can be used as a ground floor slab for greater stability on hilly ground. A beam and block floor structure can be erected in just a few days. Once you have installed the filler blocks, you will have a smooth working surface on which you can do any subsequent work without risk of injury. Luxury Flooring has been a leading provider of flooring services for our valued customers for over 20 years. This makes concrete floors particularly suitable The information, prices, and advice listed on this site are only intended to be used as a guide. Beam floors can also last for a lifetime with minimal maintenance. If liquid does manage to make its way into the pores of a concrete floor, it can lead to the growth of mold or mildew in your home. Decomposed granite, or DG, is a type of crushed stone that is used for a variety of purposes in landscapes and gardens. The good news is that you generally dont need any planning permission for fitting insulation measures and they will eventually pay back so it is a wise investment on your house. Solid ground floors: This is another form of timber floor having different layers of various materials. Precast concrete can also be called readymade concrete or prefabricated concrete. However, this problem is easily solved by covering the floor with rugs. M1R 3W5, Canada. 2. The inherent coldness of concrete can be offset to some extent through the use of carpets and throw rugs. Concrete floors allow you a lot of future design freedom. You can choose to insulate your roof, floors, walls, windows and doors. Beam and block floors are also much quieter than timber joisted floors, so if you have children or pets running around upstairs, they wont disturb anyone downstairs. The strength and durability of this material can also be a liability. A beam and block floor can easily be installed without causing any major disruptions to the surrounding environment. The holes are filled with concrete and then leveled with a trowel for the best look. 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. Whereas, once concrete is down, it would generally be too much work to disturb it in any way. Well maintained insulated floor is considered as the most important part of modern life style. 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. It is more cost effective in residential areas. . 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. With Beam and block flooring, building above the ground overcomes these problems, as well as eliminating the risk of slab failure through clay heave or settlement of fill, problems mostly associated with a poured concrete floor. 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. They are durable, have excellent soundproofing capabilities, and can be used for both residential and commercial spaces. All Concrete flooring begins with a structural concrete pad that is by nature extremely strong and durable, which is why it is so popular for hard-working commercial areas, such as garages and warehouses. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Their detail includes: All the available materials have their own benefits selecting the balanced material is the main goal in the flooring installation. Suspension Bridge Components Of Advantages Disadvantages Protecting Dwellings With Suspended Timber Floors Mezzanine Floors Timber Or Concrete What Is Best For Me Suspended Timber Floor Insulation Cost Benefits Homeadviceguide 6 Ground Floors Construction Stus When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Suspended slabs are made of concrete and steel mesh, the same as a ground slab. 1. A flat plate floor system depending upon the load and deflection criteria can be either pre . And technology has come to the rescue! A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. Think we missed something? What Is Plexiglass? It is particularly suited to first-floor structural applications where it can replace traditional suspended timber joists and engineered wooden joists. 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. Beam and block concrete flooring is a type of floor that has been in use since the 1990s. Thus, other forms of building were adopted. Other than that, you can use a neutral cleaning agent to mop the floor clean periodically. 4. Copyright 2016 - Luxury Flooring Inc Designed By: Timber Suspended Floors Specifications and Benefits. In this article, we will discuss the major advantages of precast concrete and also the disadvantages of precast concrete. According to Department of Energy just under half (44%) of the energy used in homes goes toward either their heating or cooling. Once in place, the edges are grouted for waterproofing and after a few days, more concrete is poured on top as a cap. Its durable enough to withstand the heavy traffic and it doesnt have any problems with sound transmission which makes it perfect for open concept offices or busy restaurants. Concrete can make some of the most elegant and colorful floors you have ever seen, though they aren't a good stylistic fit for every home. Because the slab will bend in different ways depending on how many support walls it has, the main steel reinforcement has to be placed in different areas to even out the tension. There are two main reasons why would you want to insulate a suspended timber floor. One advantage of timber that you have not mentioned is that the underfloor void remains as a useful space for ventilation ducts, cables, and drainage systems. Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Flooring - Western Canada Coatings Suspended timber floors consists of floorboards made up of timber attached to flooring joints which are then suspended above building foundations. Extremely. What are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors? In homes in coastal or river-side areas that are prone tomoisture in the ground, concrete floors We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What Are The Advantages Of Subfloor? the surface layer. However, if you plan to use it in the garden on a walking path or as the flooring in the pool deck, then professionals advise the application a silicon-based penetrating sealer that protects the porous surface from moisture. You also don't have to worry about damage from most dropped items. The form of construction where concrete is cast in a reusable mould and then cured in a controlled environment (precast plant) is called precast concrete. stained using acid or concrete floor paint, Furthermore, a closed soffit can be produced, in which case a relatively continuous soffit will be created, or an open soffit may need to have an applied ceiling: this might take the form of plaster or enclosure by a suspended ceiling. There are various pros and cons to these types of floor, some of which impact on the energy efficiency of the building and how you go about insulating them. UK company providing underfloor insulation using a robot, There is no need to lift up the whole floorboards, the robot is inserted in the void through a small opening and spray insulation to the underside of floorboards without disturbing households living in the house. Beam and block flooring can be removed without causing any damage to the flooring underneath. By installing underfloor insulation you can address these problems and also get an excellent return on investment within five years. How Long Does A Tar And Chip Driveway Last? Mineral wool insulation rolls consists of mineral wool in slab form. Any disadvantages to Suspended timber flooring? Disadvantages Of Suspended Timber Floor Disadvantages Of Suspended Timber Ground Floor Pros And Cons Of Suspended Timber Floor Advantages And Disadvantages Of Suspended Timber Ground Floor Benefits Of Suspended Timber Floor Disadvantages Of Suspended Floors About The Author viewfloor More from this Author So, the better the insulation, the colder your refrigerator can stay, and the warmer your house can be. You are using an out of date browser. budget. Here are advantages and disadvantages of installing glass flooring Pros of Glass Flooring 1. washed occasionally, without having to worry about the floor getting damaged Beam and block flooring can be used in both commercial and residential buildings. The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. Merits: Precast members have very high erection speed. 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. The ends of these beams are built into the walls and are supported by the hangers or fixed on the walls. Beam and block flooring has been used in the UK for many years, in domestic and commercial construction, and is beginning to be seen more in Australia. 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). These bricks are commonly known as Air Bricks. The time when a concrete floor meant just a poured and polished slab is long since gone. This came with a roll of underlay. Unskilled labour can be utilized. How to Build a Floating Floor | DIY Doctor Over time, concrete can develop cracks on the surface, due easily by patching up the surface with coloured cement paste or other similar materials can get damaged by dampness seeping through from below. impact on the environment that would otherwise be caused by discarding old Cons of Concrete Floors Concrete floors are hard There's no denying that concrete is hard underfoot, a quality that some find uncomfortable. Dependence on standalone . The cost of Beam and block flooring is relatively affordable when compared to other types of concrete flooring or timber floors. Will Plexiglass Melt In The Sun? stencils and pigments to create texture and patterns on the surface of the like with other flooring materials, the techniques of installing and decorating It is also available impregnated with wax to make water-resistant and termite-resistant versions. This layer is used to give a smooth surface for bedding damp-proof covering. Supports underneath the floor are permanent and include sleeper walls or timber props placed at regular intervals. Whether it involves pouring a fresh new slab, adapting an existing slab, or pouring an overlay, concrete floors are usually installed and finished by professionals, since the work is quite hard and requires special tools. 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. Q: What are the drawbacks to suspended timber floors? Beam and block concrete flooring has been used for decades in both commercial and residential buildings because of its environmental benefits, durability and versatility. Beam and block flooring mainly come in two types concrete beams and precast boards. Since these floors on "on-grade"directly contacting the soilthey can be susceptible to moisture migrating up from the ground into the living space. The wall plates are bedded on the top of a proper damp-proof course. Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires a good mortar between the blocks so that they can be stable enough to walk on it. It is also an ideal choice for indoor areas that are connected to an Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. As the beams are pre-fabricated and off-site manufactured, they can be expensive to purchase when weighed against similar concrete slab materials. The damp proof covering should not be placed directly on the hardcore. the thickness of material required to deliver the desired U-value. Precast Concrete: Types, Advantages & Disadvantages - Constructionor.Com Some countries refer to beams and blocks as ribs and blocks or lintels and blocks. Steel mesh reinforcement can also be incorporated into the topping to increase its strength. A basic concrete floor design includes pouring the slab or overlay, then a basic polishing and single colorizing treatment (staining or dyeing). But energy bills can be reduced by 10%-15% by using proper insulation as insulation prevents heat from moving toward cold areas. This is usually placed in a double layer. Theres a reason why concrete is used in industrialenvironments and commercial establishments with high traffic. Because it is very heavy, Beam and Block Concrete Floors can damage buildings if not put in place properly or not supported properly. Timber floors were originally designed to prevent damp. For concrete flooring with a glossy finish, periodic repolishing of the floors can help in bringing back its sheen. Draughts! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When concrete is highly polished or buffed, or when coated with a gloss sealer, the surface can be very slippery, especially when wet. Floors made of block and beam suffer minimal shrinkage, and they do not creak as they are used. 2017-2023 Homadvceguide.com - All Rights Reserved. The material should have the following properties: A U-value is a measure of the thermal insulation of a material with lower U-values being more effective insulators. Homeowners are concerned about noise within their homes. Mold. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. As the name suggests, we are here to help you make buying decisions on the whole range of options that are out there when it comes time for your next renovation or DIY project. to concrete to make it resemble ceramic or stone tiles. finishing techniques, concrete floors This allows air flow and ventilation to prevent the mould and dry rot that would otherwise occur over damp ground. 13+Advantages and Disadvantages of Beam and Block Flooring | Uses and England, United Kingdom, We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Concrete floors are a relatively expensive way to level the floor and provide adequate stability for buildings. Now in the following segment advantages and disadvantages of precast concrete are described. This is especially important in urban areas. For a material which is a worse insulator you need a greater thickness of the material to achieve the same U-value as a better insulator. they form a base on which almost any other type of flooring, such as wood, The floor consists of a series of joists organised in such a way that they are parallel to each other. The strength of a wooden beam is built into it and cannot be seen, but Beam and Block concrete floors have the same strength built in. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. doors. Damping of Structures of Earthquake-Resistant Suspended Buildings They are not really permanent floors because they just float on top of floors that are already in place, making them very easy to lay and manage. There are multiple variations and options that come with reinforced concrete beams made from prestressed concrete. Additionally, concrete acts as the base for many other flooring materials such as vinyl, ceramic tiles and wood, so the only cost incurred in renovating the floor, in such cases, will be to remove the tiles or coating from the existing base, applying a concrete stain or sealant and polishing to decorate and protect the floor. Its easy-to-maintain properties make concrete suitable as a flooring material for the outdoors. For this reason, a specialized lifting equipment should be used for transport of Beam and Block Concrete Floors. It provides strength and support for the flooring and is typically made of moisture resistant plywood. Cross-sections of beams can vary depending on the manufacturer. Today, we Concrete in bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways is especially susceptible to this. Timber suspended floors can be used in different parts of your house. The Importance Of Regular Electrical Maintenance In Your Home. Glass blocks are brittle. Beam and block concrete flooring can be laid in any weather. An average beam thickness of 130mm is used, and beam spans of up to 6m are possible. That is why concrete floors are not recommended for areas that will be used by children or elderly people, or in kitchens where falling dishes are likely. A rigid insulation slab can be used instead of concrete hollow blocks when a lightweight, insulated floor slab is needed. There is no need of any sticking material, or nails, to fix this flooring. 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.