Insulation Under Beam And Block Floor

In part 3 of skill builder s series following an extension build it s time for the suspended beam and block flooring.

Insulation under beam and block floor.

The longer the beam the more pronounced the bowing will be. Minimal floor depth only requires 70mm structural topping over the beam height meaning enhanced u value and increased ceiling height compared to conventional floors. However if eps blocks are used the floor system can achieve excellent thermal performance. Resistance to passage of sound the inherent mass and damping qualities of concrete give beam and block flooring construction a good noise reduction.

Lower cost warm floor can save you money. Most modern homes have a solid floor for example. In a block and beam deck concrete blocks are laid between and supported by concrete beams shaped like an inverted t. This is not a problem if the floor is to be screeded as the finished floor levels will be easy to adjust.

Generally speaking there are two optio. Insulation is laid on the concrete and covered with a screed. High levels of rigid insulation can be installed over the beam and block floor. It s also possible to use infill blocks made from expanded polystyrene insulation.

Rigid insulation is applied on top of the beam and block structure to reach the performance spec for your project before the screed is applied. Beam block floor system for commercial and domestic use beam and block construction overcomes many onsite difficulties such as costly excavation and consolidation of backfill prior to the placing of oversite concrete. We have a beam and block floor which isn t something i ve ever really come across and am finding conflicting information about whether insulating underneath is ok or not. I really don t want to have to take up our new carpet and flooring to insulate and screed on top.

There will be a damp proof membrane under the insulation and possibly a second membrane on top depending on the type of screed. The cost is normally lower compared to constructing insulating and finishing a conventional beam and block floor. Find out more about our beam and block floor solutions.