Hi Guys,
I am currently in the planning stage of a bungalow in a rual setting. I am trying to decide between concrete floor slabs or timber joists.
Although it is a bungalow we are planning on having stairs to a room in the roofspace used occasionally as a guest room. There is also space for another room but we have no need for it (yet) so will leave it as an attic room.
So now for the slabs / joists debate.
Price wise I have been told there is not much in it with the slabs being slightly more expensive.
Concrete slabs would be the best for noise but as the room is not going to be used a lot that doesn't bother me too much.
I am restricted height wise (I want maximise height space upstairs) and I believe slabs would take up more room than joists, as they would require service voids and battons/screed for 1st floor.
I have heard that concrete slabs are cold, can be hard to get air tight and can act as a big thermal bridge from all external walls (I have a block build with cavity insulation, parge coat in inner leaf and insulated plasterboard with warm roof.) This worries me but they are used in passive homes so there must be a correct way of installing them.
For the reasons above I was leaning towards timber joists. One last twist - I am also planning on having underfloor heating downstairs and was considering the same for upstairs but I am not sure how effective UFH is with timber joists. (could use low temp rads as alternative)
Has anyone had the same debate, disagree with my points, good/bad experiences, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks
I am currently in the planning stage of a bungalow in a rual setting. I am trying to decide between concrete floor slabs or timber joists.
Although it is a bungalow we are planning on having stairs to a room in the roofspace used occasionally as a guest room. There is also space for another room but we have no need for it (yet) so will leave it as an attic room.
So now for the slabs / joists debate.
Price wise I have been told there is not much in it with the slabs being slightly more expensive.
Concrete slabs would be the best for noise but as the room is not going to be used a lot that doesn't bother me too much.
I am restricted height wise (I want maximise height space upstairs) and I believe slabs would take up more room than joists, as they would require service voids and battons/screed for 1st floor.
I have heard that concrete slabs are cold, can be hard to get air tight and can act as a big thermal bridge from all external walls (I have a block build with cavity insulation, parge coat in inner leaf and insulated plasterboard with warm roof.) This worries me but they are used in passive homes so there must be a correct way of installing them.
For the reasons above I was leaning towards timber joists. One last twist - I am also planning on having underfloor heating downstairs and was considering the same for upstairs but I am not sure how effective UFH is with timber joists. (could use low temp rads as alternative)
Has anyone had the same debate, disagree with my points, good/bad experiences, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks