Suspended Timber Floor Construction

5 2 suspended ground floors.

Suspended timber floor construction.

Moisture management for suspended timber floor construction. 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. 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. Suspended timber ground floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached to floor joists which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation.

Different types of ground floor suspended flooring. 6 4 12 joists connected to steel. 6 4 11 joists supported by intermediate walls. The materials can be more expensive than other flooring options but there is very little needed in the way of ground preparation which makes the overall cost lower on the whole particularly for the labour involved.

They can normally span greater distances than timber joists. Ventilation is required in the same way as a suspended timber floor. That leaves an opening to improve moisture management and airtightness by fitting a tyvek membrane and carefully sealing the gaps and joints. A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure.

6 4 13 joists into hangers. Previously floor timbers had been prone to damp and rot thanks to their direct contact with the moist ground. The dead load on a floor is determined by the materials used in the floor s construction. A typical wood frame floor covered with carpet or vinyl flooring has a dead load of about 8 pounds per square foot.

The big benefit for choosing a suspended floor whether concrete or timber is that the construction is simple. Many suspended timber floor constructions have discontinuous insulation between the joists. 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. This creates a small gap and allows ventilation and air movement to prevent damp forming in the timber joists.

These floor joists are raised above the subfloor on small supporting walls called tassel walls or sleeper walls. This chapter gives guidance on meeting the technical requirements for suspended ground floors including those constructed from. If there s wall board covered ceiling suspended from the underside of that floor the dead load increases to about 10 pounds per square foot. 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.