The precast elements used in its production make it more durable than other types of concrete flooring, like poured concrete or high-performance floors. It is made from prestressed concrete, called beams, to create the support that are placed together into the floor frame. A.P. Energy Efficiency Only advantage is that it is easier to take up and put down underfloor heating. While they are relatively easy to install, compared to ceramic tiles, natural stone and wood, its best to use skilled professionals to lay them. This means that it can be used to create soundproof rooms within buildings. Unlike standard ground floor construction, suspended floors are not sitting directly on the ground. But energy bills can be reduced by 10%-15% by using proper insulation as insulation prevents heat from moving toward cold areas. For Beam and block flooring is a popular choice for many builders and developers. Timber has a minimal environmental impact: low CO2 emissions and a construction method which sits lightly on the land. Because they are manufactured offsite, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires heavy lifting equipment to be used to move the beams onto the site. The high-density Precast Concrete is more durable against acid attack, corrosion, and impact, reduces surface voids, and resists the accumulation of dust. Between the bottom of the floor beam and the ground, a minimum distance of 150mm (225mm for heavy clay soils) must be maintained. This makes concrete floors particularly suitable can get damaged by dampness seeping through from below. Because it is very heavy, Beam and Block Concrete Floors can damage buildings if not put in place properly or not supported properly. First of all, the floor is thinner. 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. 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. such as stamping and staining, can be carried out with the help of rubber 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. homes. Floating floor disadvantages. In this way suspended timber floors insulation will ensure proper heating and cooling in the home. Durability: Precast Concrete structure has a longer service time period and minimal maintenance. A beam and block floor can simply be lifted up with a crane and transported in one piece to the intended location. The right tools can be used to install this type of flooring as it does not require complex skills for installation. It is made with reinforced concrete blocks which are then sealed with a smooth finish. Beam flooring is perfect for homeowners who want to create a traditional look in their home without the high costs of hardwood floors. Required fields are marked *. A slab supported by four walls will sag in the middle creating two bends, so steel mesh is needed for stability. In particular I'd be concerned about a higher risk of mice due to the low down external vents (required for this type of flooring). Because of this cost, it is usually not worth it to insulate your floors. They are discussed below. A concrete floor is extremely strong and durable, and if it is properly installed and maintained, it can last for as long as you own the house. The installed cost for a concrete floor can vary quite a lot since there are so many finish options. The high amount of concrete used in Beam and Block Concrete Floors gives it excellent sound absorption properties due to its mass. The strength and durability of this material can also be a liability. As they have the same strength, they will wear away over time just like any other concrete floors. Plain concrete flooring cost Indian architects quote are around INR 55 per square foot, making them an economical option that are almost on par with the terracotta or basic ceramic floor tiles. Underlayment. Structural members such as concrete frames, concrete walls, and concrete floors, etc. I havent but it sounds a good idea, although I am definitely not a fan of spray adhesive, as I worry about the wood in the floor rotting as water cant escape. By digging out a site, concrete support walls can then be erected to bring the slab height to ground level. Over time, concrete can develop cracks on the surface, due Due to its strength, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring can be used in factories for industrial flooring. The length of time needed for Beam and Block Concrete Flooring to cure depends on numerous factors, including weather, temperature and humidity levels and the moisture absorbency of the environment in which it is placed. Timber suspended ground floors: A Timber suspended ground floors contain a number of boards including tongued, well-grooved and man-made boards like plywood or timber beams. But those same homeowners have reason to be concerned about pouring a new slab or overlay, since the manufacture of concrete requires a significant expenditure of energy and copious amounts of carbon dioxide. min thickness= 100mm . If the timber beams are more than 1.3 ft in thickness then a binder is used to support the beams. ceramic or any other delicate material accidentally drops on it. In this article, we will discuss the major advantages of precast concrete and also the disadvantages of precast concrete. It has simply the best construction way for sloping sites, low-lying areas or sites with bad climatically conditions. This layer is used to give a smooth surface for bedding damp-proof covering. What Is Decomposed Granite and What Can I Use It For? It is more cost effective in residential areas. These floors are also versatile as Beam and block flooring is relatively easy to transport, making it an ideal choice for construction projects that are spread out over a large area. 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. Basic design: $2 to $6 per square foot. stain or coating on the surface. Once the beams are in place, you can install ready-made products that fit in the interlocking grooves of the beams. 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. As long as the concrete is smooth and free from holes, bumps, and defects, you have the choice of covering it over with any floor surface covering you choose at a later date. 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. Suitable to host underfloor heating systems. Homeowners are concerned about noise within their homes. Beam and block concrete flooring is a type of versatile, durable, attractive and long-lasting flooring that can be used in both residential and commercial settings. What you have to watch is that you maintain ventilation to the existing sub-floor space by ducting under the concrete floor to air bricks in the extension. Its multiple benefits are the reason that concrete is becoming a popular option for floors in modern homes. Disadvantages include the likelihood of lateral tensional buckling of beams, careful detailing needed to encase precast concrete units and greater works are needed to transport, lift and place precast concrete units. Hello, have you heard of Q-Bots robotic underfloor insulation? What Is A Subfloor? Because Beam and Block Concrete Floors are manufactured offsite, you need to consider the time needed to transport them to their final destination. Not everyone likes the cold feel of concrete under theirbare feet, when they get out of bed in the morning. Otherwise, the staining or dyeing generally occurs after the concrete has been polished by grinding with abrasive pads with progressively finer grits. Beam and block flooring is made from a type of concrete that has been reinforced with steel beams. 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). It is made up of concrete blocks that are laid out in a pattern, with beams to support the structure. You might need to replace them more frequently. Because it is a prefabricated product, Beam and block concrete flooring has no joints to adjust or work on so it is relatively easy to install. Under a beam and block floor at ground level, there should be no topsoil or vegetation. However, these cracks can be repaired The average lifespan of a tar and chip driveway is around 7 to 14 years. You can reduce your carbon footprint by about 240kg per year by installing timber floor insulation. can be customised to suit any design style. You must log in or register to reply here. A basic concrete floor design includes pouring the slab or overlay, then a basic polishing and single colorizing treatment (staining or dyeing). However, the floor structure is supported by external and internal walls. There are many precast concrete advantages. The self weight of floor is commonly known as dead weight and any live loads which include human and furniture etc are likely to be imposed on the floor. sealant or wax to protect the surface. the thickness of material required to deliver the desired U-value. Suspended flooring helps to prevent any timber from coming in contact with any form of moisture. They are normally pre-fabricated offsite, and transported by truck. This can cause the floor to take a long time to cure which means more money spent on labor costs. 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. Got full rewire and replacement of heating pipes, then put down Engineered Wood (formally known as semi-solid). 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. The cost will vary quite drastically depending on the complexity of the job and how much of a knock-on effect it is going to have, but you can be sure that most homes will cost thousands of pounds to retrofit. Block floorings are composed of rectangular units or blocks that are set in mortar or adhesives to create straight lines. Concrete withstands scratches from claws, spilled water, and pet messes, and it won't absorb odors. To give access to this air, bricks are built into the outer structural walls of the building. link to The Importance Of Regular Electrical Maintenance In Your Home, link to Tips For Choosing Commercial Roofing Contractors, Suspended floors can also be hung from these systems, Because beams and blocks are manufactured off-site, it is economical, As hollow blocks do not need time to cure as poured concrete slabs, they are often lighter and quicker to construct than in situ slabs. This is especially important in urban areas. This can be done every six to nine With that said I've had mice issue's in my current place which has concrete floors but I'd had to move to someplace that has a higher risk of mice! This could be living rooms that open out to the veranda, or Diverse application Glass floor systems can enhance the aesthetics of a wide variety of spaces. However, considering There are a number of enhanced options to replace simple timber floor joists. budget. The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. Suspended timber floor insulation will help you keep the desired temperature in your house all year round, saving it against cold in winter season and excess heat in summer season. They can tend to deteriorate more quickly as the timber can rot, so they need a little more maintenance than other flooring types. We don't have any of ours tiled but there is small bit of give/movement in a few spots, which would likely cause problems with tiles. According to Department of Energy just under half (44%) of the energy used in homes goes toward either their heating or cooling. Raised access flooring uses modular floor panels which are suspended over the actual floor by a series of supports. Whereas, once concrete is down, it would generally be too much work to disturb it in any way. The holes are filled with concrete and then leveled with a trowel for the best look. A beam and block floor structure can be erected in just a few days. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. The use of block and beam construction, also known as the bison beam, has a number of advantages over traditional solid hardwood floors. Our expanding line of quality flooring products makes it easier and faster for you to improve the beauty and value of your home or business. The very first layer is made up of hardcore compositions of crushed stone and of broken brick of 3.94 inches to 5.90 inches in thickness. Standard rigid board insulation is typically laid on top of the floor, with new flooring add above this. The beams come in different shapes, lengths and sizes so there are plenty of options to choose from. While concrete floors are associated with industrial design,they can look just as good in any other style, whether its modern or rustic. to temperature, moisture or settling. You can either have a concrete base or a suspended floor, usually made out of timber. This site is owned and operated by Joalah Enterprises. Concrete floors generally require a level of felt paper, metal lath, and a base layer of concrete. hardness of the material makes it unsuitable for standing or sitting on it for Aesthetically, concrete floors are a good match for homes with a modern or industrial style and are less suitable for classic vintage home styles. It is available in various thickness (50mm and 100mm are the most easily available) and in a variety of sizes commonly in the size of 2.4 x 1.2m. Glass blocks are brittle. Timber floors were originally designed to prevent damp. The tough nature of beam and block is what can make it an excellent choice as a flooring material in commercial or residential settings. grey paving stones or blocks are commonly seen in outdoor spaces or on thefloors of car parks and garages in commercial buildings and shopping malls. Due to the nature of the product, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is very heavy when compared to other similar slab products. What Is A Subfloor? It also guarantees quality, reduced carbon foot print, cost effectiveness and easy installation. Disadvantages of concrete floors: 1. This results in an empty space between the raised floor panels, typically called a plenum , which can be used to route building services such as plumbing, wiring, and HVAC instead of above a suspended ceiling. take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors to understand whether they are suitable for modern This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.