Solid Floor vs Beam and Block Floor

1. Solid Floor vs Beam and Block Floor • Question: • Explain two advantages of using a beam and block floor instead of a solid floor. Lightweight blocks Wooden floor / carpet Concrete slab Pre-cast concrete beams Underlay Damp proof course

2. Solid Floor Usually made of solid concrete. Bears down directly onto the ground below. This is what supports it. • Solid floors are made up of: • Hardcore base • Sand binding – evens off the surface of the hardcore • Damp proof course • Damp proof membrane • Insulation

3. Solid Floor • Advantages of Solid floors: • Provides a strong foundation • Keeps heat in building • Dis-advantages of Solid floors: • Cannot be constructed in bad weather • Can be expensive • Preparation work may have to be done first before floor is laid • Takes a number of weeks for concrete to set completely

4. Beam and Block Floor Made using suspended pre-cast concrete beams and blocks. The beams span between the supporting walls. • Beam and block floors are made up of: • Pre-cast concrete beams • Light weight block as an infill Lightweight blocks Pre-cast concrete beams

5. Beam and Block Floor • Advantages of beam and block floors: • Can be laid in bad weather • Quick method of construction • Less expensive • Puts less load on the foundation • Dis-advantages of beam and block floors: • Not as strong as a solid floor • Support less of a load • Airbrick needs to be put in to ventilate the space below

6. Damp proof course (dpc) Damp proof membrane (dpm)

7. Damp proof course (dpc) Stops moisture coming through the walls of the foundation Damp proof course overlaps as it is laid and prevents moisture passing through

8. Damp proof membrane (dpm) Stops moisture coming through the floor of the foundation Damp proof membrane overlaps the damp proof course as it is laid and prevents moisture passing through