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Insulate a floor in old house - raised floor boards

  • 13-11-2009 4:48pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 505 ✭✭✭


    Have been getting some work done on insulation lately on my parents house (3 bed bungalo) to try and make it more comfy.

    The bedrooms are freezing.
    The floors are a raised timber floor that are well ventilated underneath. On a windy night, one can feel the breeze coming through it.
    There is loads of room to get insulation in there.

    Whats the best way to tackle it?

    Im not a builder an i was thinking of:
    - taking up the old floorboards
    - pack in insulation between floor joyces
    - Lay a good thick layer of heavy duty polythene - sealed around edges
    - lay a floor of say 1/2" ply wood
    - Finish with a good quality carpet.

    what ye think? Is this a good/bad idea?

    Any alternative suggestions?

    Any advice on what materials to use would be much appreciated.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    Not a bad detail.
    I would use some light weight netting draped between the joists and use this to hold the fibreglass insulation between the floor joists. Finish as you describe with polythene, ply & carpet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 264 ✭✭stedeb


    hi guys just wondering what thicknessfiberglass would you use under the floorboards and if replacing the floorboards is it better to use mdf or chipboard which is better ?
    sorry for hogging the thread
    ste


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,152 ✭✭✭holdfast


    I would say go with a soild floor construction rather than suspend timber floor and would not go with poly if you go for the other if could lead to future problems, dry rot etc. a good carpet should reduce draft anyway, should reduce your problems a good bit anyway. but if you are going to lift the boards just take out the joists and dwarf walls fill with some hardcore, sand, DPM, 150mm min insulation and screed to finish. the job will be oxo after that better insualtion and reduced draft. cover with you want then


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 58 ✭✭decdoc


    I've just finished doing this job in my own house. I kept in fairly simple, just took up the floorboards, draped a breathable roofing membrane accross the joists and packed with 125mm of rockwool and then screwed 18mm plywood. I stayed away from the polythene as I was worried about dry rot and condensation, and the breathable roofing membrane should stop any drafts anyway. There feels to be a hugh difference, but I'll see come the end of the winter when I'll see how much oil its saved!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 505 ✭✭✭dryan


    Thanks for all the info there.

    So, what thickness/type of fibreglass should be used under the floor boards?

    Should i pack the insulation in from the top of the joists down to the solid ground?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 501 ✭✭✭d2ww


    The previous owner of my place used chicken wire nailed to the underside of the joists to hold the insulation in place. I suspect that this was done from below, definitely not a nice job!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11 Adja


    I am thinking of insulating timber raised floor from the top,over already existing floors.anyone has any experience in this?


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,339 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Adja wrote: »
    I am thinking of insulating timber raised floor from the top,over already existing floors.anyone has any experience in this?

    Not really as it’s not a good way of doing it. You will then have to add floor finishes. Compression of the insulation will mean the floor will dip. Then you have to remove all the skit-ratings, all the doors, frames and architraves.

    Much cheaper to insulate between the existing joists. I’ve given an example in your thread you started.


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    Adja wrote: »
    I am thinking of insulating timber raised floor from the top,over already existing floors.anyone has any experience in this?

    Hi one post/one thread per topic is enough. have a read of the forum charter. Thanks


This discussion has been closed.
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