What are suspended floors?

A suspended concrete floor is a floor slab where its perimeter is, or at least two of its opposite edges are, supported on walls, beams or columns that carry its self weight and imposed loading. The floor spans between supports and will normally deflect under load to a dimension that is limited by the design used.

Rest of the detail can be read here. Similarly, what is a suspended floor construction?

A suspended floor is a ground floor with a void underneath the structure. The floor can be formed in various ways, using timber joists, precast concrete panels, block and beam system or cast in-situ with reinforced concrete. However, the floor structure is supported by external and internal walls.

Similarly, why do old houses have suspended floors? Many old houses were designed with suspended timber floors. These were designed into houses to keep them dry (at the expense of draughts). The timber joists and floor boards were vented underneath at the front and back of the house to allow a draught to whisk away any rising moisture from the foundations.

Keeping this in consideration, what is a suspended floor slab?

Suspended slabs are above-ground level slabs which are not directly in contact with the earth. They are commonly used to create floors for the upper storeys of houses, but can also be sat on top of pre-constructed walls to form a ground floor.

What allows ventilation under a suspended floor?

Ventilation in suspended timber floors can be achieved by installing vents below the joist level in opposite walls of the building and if possible on all sides of the building (see figure 1). These vents must be enclosed to prevent air getting into the cavity of block wall construction.

What is the difference between a solid and suspended ground floor?

Solid floors are a lot more substantial and require the ground to be made up in layers of ground sub base, sand, compacted hard core, damp proof membrane, insulation and concrete. Suspended floors are normally made up of 2 materials, either timber joists or a concrete beam system.

Is a wood floor cheaper than concrete?

So if you are considering hardwood, do some pricing per square foot before making your decision. Bamboo you may find to be the least expensive wood per square foot. Concrete flooring is usually cheaper and can start as low as $2 a square foot.

Can you screed a suspended floor?

Suspended Screed Floors

The steel sheets into across the length of the sheet by a unique dovetail joint and when fitted with screed becomes a structural floor. Insulation should be fitted between the joists under the steel floor sheet and the liquid floor screed should be 50mm thick.

What are the types of floor?

Types of flooring
  • 1.1 Timber.
  • 1.2 Laminate.
  • 1.3 Vinyl.
  • 1.4 Bamboo.
  • 1.5 Cork.
  • 1.6 Tile (porcelain or ceramic)
  • 1.7 Tile (natural stone)
  • 1.8 Carpet.
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Can you insulate a suspended floor?

If the floor is a suspended wooden floor, you will probably be able to see wooden joists and the undersides of the floorboards. Timber floors can be insulated by lifting the floorboards and laying mineral wool insulation supported by netting between the joists.

Can you concrete a suspended floor?

Suspended concrete floor


What is the minimum thickness for floor insulation?

Building Regulations


How does a suspended slab work?


How much is a suspended slab?

On average, concrete slabs can cost anywhere from $75 to $110 per square metre. That’s still quite a spread, but it gives you a starting point for comparing quotes. If your slab is going on a flat block of land with easy access, expect the price to be on the lower end of the scale.

How thick is a suspended concrete slab?

around 200mm

What is an elevated slab?

Another option is an elevated slab, which is essentially a closed perimeter foundation which is filled in and then the slab is poured on top of that. Then you build right on the tall slab as if it were on grade.

What is floor slab?

The term ‘floor slab‘ usually refers to a floor that has been formed using concrete (and generally steel reinforcement) and may form part of the structure of a building. It will be typically reinforced, either by rebar or steel fibres, and can be either formed on site or prefabricated.