Suspended Timber Floor Insulation Building Regulations

Insulating and draught proofing an old suspended timber floor at ground or upper storey level above unheated spaces can save considerable energy.

Suspended timber floor insulation building regulations.

The ground should have a layer of concrete poured across and there should be a ventilated gap of at least 150mm between the underside of the timbers and the concrete to prevent moisture. Commonly in this scenario the floors are standard timber joists with floor boards laid on top no insulation between joists and a standard 12 5mm plasterboard on the ceiling below. Timber suspended floor ground preparation remove top soil and vegetation apply total weed killer and 150mm min thick sand blinded hardcore then either i provide concrete ground cover of at least 100mm thick or ii prepare the ground to an even surface and lay a ground cover of concrete at least 50mm thick on. To make sure the insulation boards are flush with the top surface of the joists they should be supported on minimum 25 mm x 25 mm treated softwood timber battens proprietary galvanised steel saddle clips or galvanised nails partially driven into the side of the joists.

Care must be taken however not to harm the character and significance of the building or impede subfloor ventilation for example by blocking air vents so promoting timber decay. Renovation of more than 25 per cent of a solid or suspended floor involving the replacement of screed or a timber floor deck would have to meet the standards required by the building regulations approved documents. Building regs for suspended timber floors weed prevention under the floor concrete must be poured on the ground below a suspended floor ventilation air bricks are required to provide ventilation from outside to under the hollow floor. Suspended timber floor as a requirement of the building regulations the structure should be protected against the growth of weeds and other plant life.

Suspended timber floor as a requirement of the building regulations the structure should be protected against the growth of weeds and other plant life. A suspended timber floor tends to be cold and draughty because of the air circulating beneath it. To meet the part e building regulations in this scenario you need to achieve the following db figures and the test is based upon both airborne noise and impact. Installing any amount of insulation will warm the floorboards and go a long way towards eliminating draughts.

Read more about changes to thermal elements in the external walls section previous building regulations. The ground should have a layer of concrete poured across and there should be a ventilated gap of at least 150mm between the underside of the timbers and the concrete to prevent moisture.