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Which floor type to go for

  • 08-06-2010 6:40pm
    #1
    aidanmcg33
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭


    Im looking into building my own home and im trying to research various aspects of the house. One thing I am unsure of is wether to go for concrete floors upstairs or the wooden beams (im not sure what the proper technical terms are there). It has been suggested to me that the concrete will have less noise but is more expensive. Is this true and what would be the price difference if any?


Comments

  • #2
    JuniorB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 379 ✭✭JuniorB


    Concrete first floor is called 'hollowcore'. Not sure on exact costs but from what I've been told there is not much in it. Handy for underfloor upstairs and gives better fire resistance...


  • #3
    RKQ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭RKQ


    I'd agree with above but from experience Conc 1st floors tend to be slightly more expensive & slightly longer to install.

    1st floor conc floors also require :-
    • Beams over window & door opes in supporting walls will have to be designed by a Structural Engineer with full PI insurance.
    • Supporting blockwork walls might need to be thicked - on Structural Engineers advice.


  • #4
    soldsold
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 555 ✭✭✭soldsold


    I put in a 150mm solid slab, would definitely do it again if building again. Solid underfoot, no creaking, no movement so should have no plasterboard cracking provided metal ceiling brackets are put in uinder the slab (mf ceiling). Also easier to wire downlighters, coax, cat5 etc if you have a lot of wiring to run, space for MHRV ductwork and central vacuum pipes. Add a concrete stairs to avoid stair cracks, however there is a cost to doing this as cladding a concrete stairs in timber is much the same price as building a timber stairs from scratch. Another alternative is to use I-beams or similar for timberframe first floor, a lot of the same advantages as concrete but its pricey. 150mm solid slab has a sound transmission STC rating of 52, 150mm hollowcore is 48. the scale is not linear so the extra 4 points is significant. 100mm solid slab is around the same price as 150mm hollowcore, but the 100mm solid needs a structural screed, my 150mm solid floor allowed me to use 50mm insulation on top of the floor so I separated the final screed from the slab for further soundproofing. Note: This is for reference only, a structural engineer or flooring supplier needs to spec out for your house. Concrete floors have dropped a lot in the last year (through the floor actually)


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