Full Answer
Why choose block and beam flooring?
Block and beam flooring has become an increasingly popular choice when it comes to floor structure. This is particularly true of residential properties. Suspended concrete floors do not creak, shrink or bounce. They are relatively easy to install and provide a safe working platform for...
What is a beam and block layout?
beam and block layout. The beam and block floor system is a popular form of domestic floor construction. It is an economical option due to off site manufacture of the beams and blocks, fast assembly and little requirement for specialist labour or equipment.
What is the thermal performance of beam and block flooring?
Resistance to passage of heat. The beam and block floor offers good flexibility with thermal performance. High levels of rigid insulation can be installed over the beam and block floor. However, if EPS blocks are used, the floor system can achieve excellent thermal performance.
Who are beam and block manufacturers?
beam and Block One of the uk's leading block and beam floor manufacturers We have been manufacturing suspended concrete floor beams since 1997. We are known for our quality products, proactive service and value focussed pricing.
What are the benefits of a block and beam floor?
Some of the key benefits of our beam and block flooring system are:1) Easy installation. ... 2) High performance. ... 3) Safe working platform. ... 4) All-weather form of construction. ... 5) Available in two widths.
Why do people use block and beam?
Why use beam and block? One of the main reasons is simply speed. Beam and block is very quick to install – partly because there's minimal need for ground preparation. The resulting labour savings make it very cost-effective, too, despite the slightly higher cost of the materials.
What goes on top of a block and beam floor?
Insulation is usually positioned on top of the beam and block floor, a concrete topping or screed is then laid onto the insulation.
What is block floor?
What is beam and block flooring? Beam and block flooring is a technique used to create a creating a suspended concrete flooring system at the ground or upper floor level. Used by the majority of housebuilders, it is quick to install and comprises T beam floor beams infilled with precast concrete blocks.
Do block and beam floors bounce?
Some beam and block floors do have a bounce, especially if they are at their upper span limit of around 5m. e beams are pretensioned precast reinforced concrete and they have a slight camber in the middle. Some are designed to settle when the insulation and floor screed has been loaded and cast.
Is block and beam cheaper than concrete?
While a simple concrete slab can be relatively cheap, it takes time to lay and dry out, so over the last few years, the beam and block suspended floor has become more prominent. It's slightly more expensive, especially on relatively small jobs, but for speed and convenience it's hard to beat.
Do you need to vent under a block and beam floor?
Ventilating the floor void The void under the floor should be ventilated in accordance with the Building Regulations. Requirements will generally be met with a void of at least 150mm deep that is adequately ventilated to remove moisture and prevent any build-up of ground gases such as methane.
Do you need to grout a block and beam floor?
It is important that blocks are not cut or drilled in such a way as to impair their performance. The whole floor area must be grouted with a 3:1 sand/cement mix (using coarse sand) as soon as possible after the fixing of the beams and blocks has been completed.
How thick is a block and beam floor?
A typical current block specification is to have dimensions of 440 x 215 x 100mm thickness, 3.5N/mm2 or 7N/mm2 minimum compressive strength, and able to support a minimum transverse load of 3.5kN on a 420mm span.
Is a beam and block floor cheaper than slab?
Block-and-beam vs Concrete Slab Cost Overall, the material costs for block-and-beam are more costly than those for a concrete slab. In contrast, block-and-beam labour charges are less than for a concrete slab. Overall, it's better to choose block-and-beam flooring where you have a choice.
How do you install a beam and block floor?
1:305:52Building an Extension #3 - Suspended Beam & Block Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto the beam. And this is just one of those jobs you can't rush it just got to do it one thing you'MoreInto the beam. And this is just one of those jobs you can't rush it just got to do it one thing you've got to do is clean the snots off the beam. Sometimes you get a few rough edges.
How do you insulate a beam and a block floor?
2:565:19How to Install insulation block and beam floors, TETRiS eco ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInstalled. Underfloor heating systems can be easily installed. Either cable tie the pipes to a steelMoreInstalled. Underfloor heating systems can be easily installed. Either cable tie the pipes to a steel mesh alternatively pipes can be secured directly to the tetris blocks with suitable fixings.
What is the purpose of a bond beam?
A bond beam is a horizontally reinforced element in a masonry wall that provides resistance to shear loads and also helps distribute lateral loads throughout the wall section. Reinforcement is placed in special bond-beam units that have reduced-height cross webs and grouted solid.
Why bond beams are used in?
The use of a bond beam helps to link the building together more integrally. It binds reinforcement across both the horizontal and vertical axes, making the wall more of a single unit through the connection. Contrary to the name, a bond beam doesn't have to span the width of a structure.
Is pier and beam better than slab?
While pier & beam systems do create very stable foundations, and are preferable in some situations, they can deteriorate over time. However, they are usually easier and less expensive to repair than a slab foundation. It's also easier to install, repair and add plumbing with this kind of system.
What are the different types of blocks?
Types of Concrete Blocks or Concrete Masonry Units Used in...Types of Hollow Concrete Blocks:Concrete Stretcher Blocks.Concrete Corner Blocks.Concrete Pillar Blocks.Jamb Concrete Blocks.Partition Concrete Block.Lintel Blocks.Frogged Brick Blocks.More items...•
What is beam and block flooring?
Beam and block flooring is a technique used to create a creating a suspended concrete flooring system at the ground or upper floor level. Used by the majority of housebuilders, it is quick to install and comprises T beam floor beams infilled with precast concrete blocks. Insulated panels can be used in place of the blocks, to create an energy efficient home.
What is the compressive strength of a floor block?
All infill blocks should have a compressive strength of 3.5N/mm2 or 7.0N/mm2 and be able to support a minimum transverse load of 3.5kN on a 420mm span. The exact compressive strength needed in floor blocks differs depending on their application. For example for garage floors, blocks with 7.0N/mm2 are required, whereas the compressive strength of blocks built into loadbearing walls should not less than that of the blocks used in the wall construction.
What is Longley Concrete?
Longley Concrete is a leading supplier of easy-to-install Beam and Block floors . Our systems comprise of 175mm deep, prestressed concrete beams which are fitted with 100mm deep building blocks placed in between. Beam and Block Flooring has many advantages including the fact that it is easy to handle, quick to install and provides an immediate working platform for other tradespeople. It is also rot proof, draught proof and fire resistant is an all-weather form of construction and provides buildings with good thermal insulation.
What is Longley beam made of?
Longley beams are made with C60 (60N/mm2 at 28 days) concrete. It is prestressed with 5mm indented steel wire. All of our beams are manufactured in an enclosed factory environment using fixed moulds. This means that they have an enhanced finish as well as a superior dimensional tolerance.
Does Longley Concrete have insulation?
Many housebuilders now use insulated EPS blocks (with or without a top sheet layer) to provide added thermal insulation. Longley Concrete provide a number of insulated flooring options, which can be reviewed here.
What is Beam and Block Flooring?
Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is a common way of making a concrete slab floor. Beam and block concrete flooring is a type of floor that has been in use since the 1990s. It is made up of concrete blocks that are laid out in a pattern, with beams to support the structure.
How long do beam and block floors last?
They are durable, have excellent soundproofing capabilities, and can be used for both residential and commercial spaces. Beam floors can also last for a lifetime with minimal maintenance.
Why do you need heavy lifting equipment for beam and block flooring?
Because they are manufactured offsite, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires heavy lifting equipment to be used to move the beams onto the site.
Why is beam and block concrete used?
The high amount of concrete used in Beam and Block Concrete Floors gives it excellent sound absorption properties due to its mass. This means that it can be used to create soundproof rooms within buildings.
What is suspended floor?
Suspended floor are floors with a beam or block infill that is above the floor and below the ceiling.
How long does it take to build a beam and block floor?
A beam and block floor structure can be erected in just a few days. Once the beams are in place, you can install ready-made products that fit in the interlocking grooves of the beams.
What is a block floor made of?
It is made from prestressed concrete , called “beams,” to create the support that are placed together into the floor frame. Block floorings are composed of rectangular units or blocks that are set in mortar or adhesives to create a concrete floor.
What is the best floor for sloping concrete?
Suspended concrete floors are the preferred choice for sloping sites as they overcome the need to carry out major excavation.
Do suspended concrete floors creak?
This is particularly true of residential properties. Suspended concrete floors do not creak, shrink or bounce. They are relatively easy to install and provide a safe working platform for the rest of the build.
Is T beam flooring strong?
Our beam and block flooring is very strong robust . Each T-beam is reinforced and specifically designed to meet the requirements of the span in question.
Is block and beam flooring good?
Block and beam flooring offers a good degree of flexibility when it comes to thermal performance. To achieve the best U value possible, we can provide EPS flooring panels, in place of infill blocks, alongside our cost-effective ‘light’ beams.
What is beam and block flooring?
Beam and block for intermediate flooring. Some of the system’s biggest advantages come to the fore at intermediate level (eg for first floor structures), where it can replace traditional suspended timber or engineered wooden joists.
What is beam and block?
The system comprises a series of inverted T-beams made of pre-stressed concrete, which look remarkably similar to train rails in profile. These beams are cut to a specified length – determined by the construction drawings.
How are rails laid?
On site, they are laid perpendicular to the supporting blockwork walls that make up the inner leaf of the footings (at ground floor level). The rails rest on a damp proof course and have a 100mm bearing; in other words, they cover the whole width of that inner leaf of blockwork.
What floor did John Ritchie use?
John Ritchie chose a beam and block floor to create a rigid concrete box for the ground floor of his self-build, with a timber frame sat on top. This created good sound insulation between the floors and made it easier to install UFH upstairs. Click the images and read the full story.
What is pre stressed beam?
The beams themselves will be pre-stressed, which means there will be an inbuilt camber, or curve. The longer the beam, the more pronounced the bowing will be. This is not a problem if the floor is to be screeded, as the finished floor levels will be easy to adjust. Rigid insulation is applied on top of the beam and block structure – to reach ...
What are the benefits of acoustic beams?
There are other benefits to bear in mind; including improved acoustic performance, higher thermal mass and greater fire resistance. What’s more, because the beams and blocks are inert material, they are unaffected by damp, rot or vermin.
Why use reinforced concrete topping instead of screed?
This helps to improve energy performance and reduce thermal bridging, while delivering a thinner floor profile – all at relatively little additional cost. These systems can therefore be a good option if you’re aiming to achieve low heating bills.
