Suspended Timber Floor Insulation Building Regulations

Installing any amount of insulation will warm the floorboards and go a long way towards eliminating draughts.

Suspended timber floor insulation building regulations.

For optimum results when addressing heat loss through a suspended timber floor the specification needs to ensure that high levels of thermal performance delivered by the insulation material are combined with airtightness and moisture control while at the same time facilitating a degree of breathability. 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. A suspended timber floor tends to be cold and draughty because of the air circulating beneath it. 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 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. 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. 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. Read more about changes to thermal elements in the external walls section previous building regulations.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Insulating and draught proofing an old suspended timber floor at ground or upper storey level above unheated spaces can save considerable energy. The effect is a greater sense of comfort and that in turn allows the homeowner to turn the thermostat down.