Suspended timber floor or screed better?

eamon11

hello everybody,

its an old house an I have just begun a suspended timber floor on the complete ground floor. I work with wood, hence my preference. I have to raise floor level 4 to 5 inches anyway.And the plumbing can run between the joists. All good.
The thing is its a lot of work as the floors are very uneven and sloped and need a lot of packing. Thats no problem but if I calculate my time plus the cost of the timber and plywood its actually quite expensive.
To get a screed done professionally would be around the same cost, and no work for me. Plumbers pipes could be laid before the pour.
If I go with screed, whats the min screed thickness for stability?
And overall, what are the pros and cons between the floor types?

Thanks a lot

johneym

suspended timber floor is always better.No question.

Bullocks

You would want a min of 75mm for sand and cement screed

gutteruu

Absolutely 100% without a shadow of a doubt avoid suspended timber floors in my opinion. They are driving me absolutely insane in my house. Squeaking, creaking, rattling. We have properly laid, sturdy suspended floors with solid maple (I know as I had to rip them up in another room) but eventually they will all creak regardless. But this is completely opinion. Some people wouldn't even notice or don't mind it. It didn't bother me too much until I had kids asleep.

I raised my floor about 5 inchs (after ripping wood out) and put in thin layer of insulation, then concrete. I worked out the cost at the time and insulation versus extra concrete wasn't as far off as you would think. Can't remember the minimums, but ended up with well insulated sturdy concrete floor.

shane 007

I would definitely go with screed. Suspended floors need to be cross ventilated which leads to large drafts and greater heat loss.
When I am calculating rad sizes for heating systems, they are nearly double for suspended floor installations.
If you don't cross ventilate, you will get interstitial condensation.

eamon11

thank you all who replied,

that is exactly what I need to hear. Apart from John you are all in agreement.
I have young kids so creaking, or lack therof is VERY important.

cheers

whizbang

You may want an outside air supply for stove, or just general ventilation.

Put in a few spare pipe runs for cables, etc. What about Radon barriers, and sump.?

Buona Fortuna

eamon11 wrote: »

hello everybody,

its an old house an I have just begun a suspended timber floor on the complete ground floor. I work with wood, hence my preference. I have to raise floor level 4 to 5 inches anyway.And the plumbing can run between the joists. All good.
The thing is its a lot of work as the floors are very uneven and sloped and need a lot of packing. Thats no problem but if I calculate my time plus the cost of the timber and plywood its actually quite expensive.
To get a screed done professionally would be around the same cost, and no work for me. Plumbers pipes could be laid before the pour.
If I go with screed, whats the min screed thickness for stability?
And overall, what are the pros and cons between the floor types?

Thanks a lot

My vote goes for a suspended floor.

We have a situation in the holiday home next door, where one of those pipes in the concrete floor is leaking. Its a massive, messy job. Whereas a wooden floor would have been relatively painless.

All the best

agusta

http://www.easyscreed.ie/index.php/easy-screed/where-can-easy-screed-be-used 50 mm,great job