Luxury Flooring has been a leading provider of flooring services for our valued customers for over 20 years. This is the gold standard for pet-proof floors. By digging out a site, concrete support walls can then be erected to bring the slab height to ground level. For example, driveways in cold climates may last shorter due to the freeze-thaw cycles that [], All About Concrete, Building, Construction and Interior Design, Advantages and Disadvantages of Kota Stone Flooring | Benefits & Uses of Kota Stone Flooring, 9 Top Advantages and Disadvantages of Mosaic Floor Tiles | Cost of Mosaic, Uses of Mosaic Floor Tiles, Construction Calculator: Simplified Construction Cost Calculator, 13+Advantages and Disadvantages of Beam and Block Flooring | Uses and Applications of Beam and Block. Its easy-to-maintain properties make concrete suitable as a flooring material for the outdoors. This makes concrete floors particularly suitable It is also difficult and too expensive for the original contractor to carry out this process. Will Plexiglass Melt In The Sun? Floating wood floors: These types of floors are very fashionable and beneficial. Concrete flooring is easy to clean and relativelymaintenance-free because it is tough and resistant to damages and stains. Here are advantages and disadvantages of installing glass flooring Pros of Glass Flooring 1. Required fields are marked *. During the winter good insulation prevents cold to enter the house and similarly in summer heat can be prevented by using good insulation. can be applied. Not ideal for remote and field workers. minimalist theme, with advances in technology, colour and texture can be added This site is owned and operated by Joalah Enterprises. They can also feel a bit draughty which is why they need to be properly insulated. The amount of energy and money you will save by implementing suspended timberinsulationwill also depend on how old your property is and the size of your house. Furthermore, the insulation will help prevent heat moving from a room that has been heated to another where the heating is off. . Cross-sections of beams can vary depending on the manufacturer. When using foamcrete for the beams and expanded polystyrene for the infills, it can provide excellent thermal insulation as well along with preventing cold bridging. stain or coating on the surface. 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. Glass blocks are brittle. Thus, other forms of building were adopted. Unfortunately, a consequence of this is that the floors can be quite draughty, with air bricks requiredto keep the timber dry. due to excess moisture. Brick house with wooden roof frame under construction. It's also unforgiving a dropped glass definitely won't survive and it may be a concern if there are small children or elderly folks in the household. Beam and block floors can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it suitable for a wide range of construction needs. In some environments, you will also have to worry about the moisture freezing, expanding, and cracking the 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. For concrete flooring with a glossy finish, periodic repolishing of the floors can help in bringing back its sheen. Hardness HARQUITECTES While the toughness and strength of concrete are an advantage, this can also work against it as breakages are unavoidable if glass, ceramic or any other delicate material accidentally drops on it. 94 Lilian Drive
washed occasionally, without having to worry about the floor getting damaged It is made with reinforced concrete blocks which are then sealed with a smooth finish. They are normally pre-fabricated offsite, and transported by truck. The savings are actually fairly modest compared to insulating other parts of the home, like the walls and loft. 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. M1R 3W5, Canada. heat loss from draughts (gaps in floors, windows, doors, open chimneys and loft hatches). Theres a reason why concrete is used in industrialenvironments and commercial establishments with high traffic. Temperature Control According to Department of Energy just under half (44%) of the energy used in homes goes toward either their heating or cooling. However, They are discussed below. Not everyone likes the cold feel of concrete under theirbare feet, when they get out of bed in the morning. 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. Suspended Ground Floor Beam & Block Floor and Cavity Blockwork Wall, Suspended Ground Floor Beam & Block Floor and ICF Wall, Suspended Ground Floor ThermoFloor and Cavity Blockwork Wall, Suspended Ground Floor ThermoFloor and ICF Wall, Suspended Ground Floor ThermoFloor and Timber Frame Wall, Suspended Ground Floor Timber Joists and Cavity Blockwork Wall, Unit 2, White Hart Road, 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. However, this problem is easily solved by covering the floor with rugs. You can also have it installed for both commercial and residential purposes. What Is A Subfloor? like with other flooring materials, the techniques of installing and decorating They are normally pre-fabricated offsite, and transported by truck. Welcome to the Orlandi Building Materials Advice & Reviews. designs may seem limited compared to natural stone or decorative ceramic tiles, Beam and block flooring is one of the longest-lasting, most durable types of flooring. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Although the cost of materials may be high, ease of ground preparation and speed of installation make it an overall cheaper flooring option. sealant or wax to protect the surface. This insulates the floor, but still allows some air to circulate, preventing the timber from getting damp and rotting. homes. When concrete is highly polished or buffed, or when coated with a gloss sealer, the surface can be very slippery, especially when wet. Environmentalists are becoming more aware of the materials that theyre using in construction projects. floor while it is still curing. Are you a fan of concrete floors? 1. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. 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. A typical specification requires a block to have dimensions of 440mm x 215mm x 100mm, a minimum compressive strength of 3.5N/mm2 or 7N/mm2, and be able to support at least 3.5kN in transverse load. 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. The right tools can be used to install this type of flooring as it does not require complex skills for installation. It is made up of concrete blocks that are laid out in a pattern, with beams to support the structure. But energy bills can be reduced by 10%-15% by using proper insulation as insulation prevents heat from moving toward cold areas. There are two main reasons why would you want to insulate a suspended timber floor. Block and beam floors eliminate the bounce associated with timber floors. You can reduce your carbon footprint by about 240kg per year by installing timber floor insulation. This includes heavy snowfalls, hail storms, strong winds and prolonged rain. A basic concrete floor design includes pouring the slab or overlay, then a basic polishing and single colorizing treatment (staining or dyeing). Only advantage is that it is easier to take up and put down underfloor heating. These days most homes are designed with concrete floors because damp proofing technology allows us to create a dry floor without an air gap. This will not only ensure the desired finish, but also prove more cost-effective in the long run as it will require very little repair and maintenance. Block floorings are composed of rectangular units or blocks that are set in mortar or adhesives to create straight lines. Disadvantages of concrete floors: 1. This can affect the 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. Between the bottom of the floor beam and the ground, a minimum distance of 150mm (225mm for heavy clay soils) must be maintained. One of the advantages of beam and block is that a larger distance between internal walls or beams can be accommodated. It will help remove the drafts but it is not going to make the room much warmer by itself. 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. Under a beam and block floor at ground level, there should be no topsoil or vegetation. While concrete floors are associated with industrial design,they can look just as good in any other style, whether its modern or rustic. With the growing interest in green building, many home and businesses owners are shying away from using materials such as wood that come from endangered forests. There is a wide range of designs available when it comes to Beam and Block Flooring, ranging from patterned to monochromatic, old world, modern and contemporary styles. It can be used for suspended floors on sloped sites, for ground that has poor bearing capacity, for sites with high water tables, or for sites with toxic chemical contamination. 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. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce. Thanks Tony. Yes, my suspended floor (some tiled, some wood) is freezing cold in . Got full rewire and replacement of heating pipes, then put down Engineered Wood (formally known as semi-solid). In homes in coastal or river-side areas that are prone tomoisture in the ground, concrete floors budget. The ability to reuse the concrete makes it a much better option financially than similar products such as timber flooring. Once the beams are in place, you can install ready-made products that fit in the interlocking grooves of the beams. What Are The Advantages Of Subfloor? It has simply the best construction way for sloping sites, low-lying areas or sites with bad climatically conditions. During the winter good insulation prevents cold to enter the house and similarly in summer heat can be prevented by using good insulation. The main disadvantage is a slower drying time, which means that contractors of flooring systems must wait longer to proceed with flooring installation. Suspended slabs are made of concrete and steel mesh, the same as a ground slab. daily cleaning, they can be swept and mopped with a neutral cleaning agent, how is hardcore finished for suspended floors. Many outgoing links on Orlandi.com.au are affiliate links. Several methods can be used to accomplish this. Now in the following segment advantages and disadvantages of precast concrete are described. Even in commercial applications, concrete can survive under high-traffic conditions for many decades. Otherwise, the staining or dyeing generally occurs after the concrete has been polished by grinding with abrasive pads with progressively finer grits. Timber suspended upper floors: Similar to the timber suspended ground floors, the timber suspended upper floors also contain timber sheets of man-made board laid over that are supported through timber beams. Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is also used in commercial buildings due to its high strength and durability levels. 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.. This can cause the floor to take a long time to cure which means more money spent on labor costs. Floating floor disadvantages. Because they are manufactured offsite, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires heavy lifting equipment to be used to move the beams onto the site. Costs can range from $2 per square foot for a basic to $30 or more for high-end artistically rendered floors. The final step is to apply a concrete sealer to protect the surface. Suspended slab sub-flooring can be used as a ground floor slab for greater stability on hilly ground. Because of this cost, it is usually not worth it to insulate your floors. 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 Also, once they are onsite, you will need to allow them time to cure which can take up to a few weeks to complete. But concrete is also very hard and cold underfoot, and it is a practical choice only where there is an existing concrete slab, such as in homes with slab-on-grade foundations, or in the basements of homes built over basement foundations. View our, Your Guide to Green Roofs: Green Roofs FAQ. Suitable to host underfloor heating systems. Suspended timber floors consists of floorboards made up of timber attached to flooring joints which are then suspended above building foundations. doors. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. Leave a comment about whatyou think of them. Whilethe raw look of polished concrete is perfect for a home with an industrial or You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors to understand whether they are suitable for modern 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. While it is possible to chip or scratch a concrete surface, you have to work pretty hard to do so. to concrete to make it resemble ceramic or stone tiles. A blue utility pad can be used for particularly stubborn stains. While the simple polished slab is sometimes exactly what is needed, homeowners also have the option of a variety of texturizing and colorizing techniques: In most circumstances, a residential concrete floor is created by grinding an existing structural concrete slab and applying a chosen polishing, colorizing, or texturizing technique. We hope you find it helpful. As a result, materials such as beam and block flooring that are made from recycled wood is becoming more popular. Beam and Block Concrete floors are unsuitable for irregular shapes because they can only be laid out in a straight pattern. Insulation works in one of two ways, by keeping the heat away from the room, as it does in a refrigerator, or by keeping the heat inside the room, as it does when it prevents warm air from moving through the walls. 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. 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. Suspended slabs have to be pre constructed and lifted into place by a crane. But energy bills can be reduced by 10%-15% by using proper insulation as insulation prevents heat from moving toward cold areas. 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. Area rugs can help alleviate concerns. This allows air flow and ventilation to prevent the mould and dry rot that would otherwise occur over damp ground. The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. The surface of a concrete floor is very hardfalling onto concrete will hurt and may seriously injure people. The Importance Of Regular Electrical Maintenance In Your Home. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Because Beam and Block Concrete Floors are manufactured offsite, you need to consider the time needed to transport them to their final destination. According to the span, the shape of the block, and loading requirements, the beam profile will differ. Even though this method is a bit more expensive, especially for relatively small jobs, its extremely convenient and fast. The high amount of concrete used in Beam and Block Concrete Floors gives it excellent sound absorption properties due to its mass. This means that it can be used to create soundproof rooms within buildings. Read our. Diverse application Glass floor systems can enhance the aesthetics of a wide variety of spaces. High quality is due to managed situations within the manufacturing unit. 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! They can be insulated and sealed which would solve the problem, but that's more $$$ and disruptive. Celotex / Kingspan typePIR thermal insulation board. They can be used quickly in creating a usable working platform because the precast beams are easy to assemble. As hollow blocks do not need time to cure as poured concrete . 3. So, the better the insulation, the colder your refrigerator can stay, and the warmer your house can be. We often get asked whether you should insulate floors between levels, as well as the ground floor. Requires machinery to lift heavy beams into place. The time when a concrete floor meant just a poured and polished slab is long since gone. This is especially important in urban areas. It is easy, quick, and cheap for anyone to build a beam and block floor, requiring no special construction skills, they are also highly durable and solid. There are many precast concrete advantages. They have good quality control. For additional information please speak to a licensed professional in your area for up-to-date rules, regulations, city ordinances, and pricing. 2017-2023 Homadvceguide.com - All Rights Reserved. Another is that a suspended system with an adequate void underneath provides protection against moisture without requiring a concrete oversite. A well-insulated house is very energy efficient and it will require very little additional heating and cooling according to requirement. What Is Decomposed Granite and What Can I Use It For? 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. In addition, using an interior architect will assure expertise in customizing these floors with design, texture and tools, whether its radiant floor heating or beautifully patterned concrete flooring that has the effect of faux-tiles. 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. be embedded into the concrete floor as a radiant Because both the upstairs and downstairs are being heated, there is no heat transfer between levels and therefore no energy saving to be made. Do you have a different opinion? hardness of the material makes it unsuitable for standing or sitting on it for You might need to replace them more frequently. The floor consists of a series of joists organised in such a way that they are parallel to each other. This fast construction makes Beam and Block Concrete Flooring a popular choice for homeowners or business owners who are looking to save on time and money. Concrete or sand are not required. Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is a common way of making a concrete slab floor. However, the floor structure is supported by external and internal walls. Flooring can be broadly classified into two categories Beam and Block Flooring. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The infill blocks are laid quickly once the beams are in place and supported at each end: as long as the blocks are readily available, they can be dropped into place every five to ten seconds. Case Studies in Construction Materials, Volume 11, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00296. Their durability makes them suitable for almost any environment, and Block and beam floor construction has been used for many years in the UK in the construction of flats, and is now widely used in general housing to provide a quieter home living environment. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional services. 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. Timber has a minimal environmental impact: low CO2 emissions and a construction method which sits lightly on the land. If you know how to install it, you can complete the project in a very short period of time. Customer satisfaction is our priority! Voided Slab Flat Plate Floor Construction Concrete Magazine.