Replacing suspended floors with concrete

LiamD1123

Hi all,

We bought a 2000 sqft bungalow (1970 build) with suspended floors. From floors that were taken up there doesnt appear to be any insulation below it.

Would replacing the suspended floors with concrete and insulation improve the heat efficiency of the house.

Does anyone know how much per sqft it costs to do concrete & insulation, labour, demo?

Anyone do it recently that could give the cost breakdown it be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

dbas

You shouldn't need to get rid of the suspended floor, but that's up to you.

U value of your current floor could be around 0.8

Plenty of scope to improve that. Check this link out

https://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/best-practice-approach-insulating-suspended-timber-floors

Lumen

IMO doing this makes most sense when you are doing other compatible changes, e.g. UFH with heat pump, or external insulation.

Yellow_Fern

Yes it would make your house warmer but in many cases the improvement is coming from the elimination of draughts not the insulation. If you have a BER you could play around with the specs and see much of an impact it might help.

dbas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119785597#Comment_119785597

Seconded.

Only do this if you are doing a full retrofit. Windows, walls, doors, attic (400mm earthwool- easiest win on the project)

bodgerfederer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119784350#Comment_119784350

any idea of companies doing this work in Ireland? I'm considering going this route but not finding contractors listing floor insulation on their websites. My DIY skills wouldn't be up to it.

i'm also questioning the value for money from it. Our floors are draughty but there's not even anything on the bare floorboards downstairs and we've being living like that for 10 yrs now. Any kind of hard floor and underlay would surely offer a big improvement without the cost and disruption of taking all the boards up. On the other hand, now would be the time to do it while it is still just bare floorboards.

Thoughts and opinions please?

dbas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119804034#Comment_119804034

I would contact partel or ecological building systems as they are providing these products for sale and consultancy in this retrofit works. They may know reputable installers in your area.

Hardest part of it is lifting floors in kitchens/bathrooms etc.

If you have an opportunity to do it for reasonable cost it'd be worth it.

mike_2009

you'll need a structural engineer presumably to calculate the increased load and determine how to support the added weight?

SC024

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058268719/replacing-suspended-floors-with-concrete

A good building contractor is what you need. If going concrete route it will be quote disruptive , You would probably have to move out for a couple of months. Would be worthwhile adding underfloor heating in the process. No small job by any means

?Cee?view

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119805163#Comment_119805163

Are these not ground level floors?

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119805202#Comment_119805202

Exactly, it's not rocket science, a good builder with experience in renovation would know what to do, no need of engineers

mike_2009

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119805220#Comment_119805220

Oops...skipped over the word "bungalow" !!