Browse Forums Paving & Concreting 1 May 31, 2012 3:15 pm We're looking to build a house with a mix of tiles (12m2), carpet (25m2) and solid timber floors (100m2). If I want to get the timber floors done myself after handover, what would I need to consider in the building contract, especially regarding the concrete slab? Solid wooden floors in NSW are laid on battens or ply (rather than direct to concrete), adding anywhere up to 38mm of height above the slab. Carpet and tiles add about 20(ish?)mm above the slab depending on underlay. Should I try to specify a setdown on the slab (presumably 18mm) for the timber areas or try just raise the carpet/tiled areas? Obviously I also need to specify that the slab be levelled on the timber areas. I expect to be getting credit back from the builder for the timbered floor area, but do builders usually factor in the cost of levelling of the slab into the flooring cost or the initial slab cost? I will also specify the height of kitchen benchs to be raised by the setdown height, and the doors to be cut appropriately. Anything else I should consider? Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 2Jun 03, 2012 8:36 pm Timber floors are typically 14mm glued to 10mm ply. Bring the tiles up to this level. Carpet is about 15mm so normally the step from timber to carpet needs detailing. @builderforlife Building inspector and passionate about construction When you need an expert to take a look. Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 3Jun 10, 2012 3:19 pm Thanks builderforlife. I speaking to a few flooring people and builders- it seems that in Sydney,the solid timber floors we are looking at are 19mm and are usually laid over either on 19mm battens (the cheap way) or over 15mm ply. Apparently, setting the concrete down is much more difficult to get right, and the usual way of doing this is to raise the tiled or carpeted area to match the 38mm height of the timber + battens Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 4Jun 10, 2012 3:46 pm I have tiles, carpet and timber flooring on top of a concrete slab - all at the same level. All flooring is 25 mm height. Due to the fall in wet areas, I needed a 25 mm (or was it 30 mm) stepdown in bathrooms and laundry. Otherwise, all the one slab level. Timber = Boral slimwood (13 mm) on 12 mm ply Carpet = 9 mm ply + 7 mm underlay + 9 mm carpet Tiles (non wet area) = 12 mm screed + 3 mm glue + 10 mm tiles With nice aluminium edging between flooring types. Looks great. The 12 mm screed is thin and needs special attention. An additive such as Davelastic needs to be added. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 5Jun 13, 2012 8:08 am Thanks for the info Casa. Were your floors laid by one company or did you get different people to do them? Also, did you have to level the floors for the Boral Slimwood? We're thinking of transitioning between tiles and timber in an open plan area so have a large boundary we need to make sure we get right. Where the floor types meet, did you have the aluminium strip covering the boundaries of the two floor types or is it one of those vertical ones? Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 6Jun 13, 2012 10:12 pm Different companies did each of the floor types (although the timber floor person also put the 9 mm ply under the carpet). I also have a large open plan area where the tiles and timber meet. I used an aluminium angle. From above it just look like a 1 (or was it 1.6 mm) strip. Also, I designed my house so that no mater where you enter from, you first walk on tiles. Only then can you walk on timber and only then you can walk on carpet. Keeps the timber floor protected from under shoe grit and the carpet protected from under shoe dirt. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 7Jun 14, 2012 8:11 am Casa2 Timber = Boral slimwood (13 mm) on 12 mm ply My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 10Jun 15, 2012 12:49 pm Casa2 Also, I designed my house so that no mater where you enter from, you first walk on tiles. Only then can you walk on timber and only then you can walk on carpet. Keeps the timber floor protected from under shoe grit and the carpet protected from under shoe dirt. That's a nice idea. We were thinking of having a higher Janka rated species anyway, since 1) We were thinking of having timber leading out to the back yard, and 2) It has to endure our toddler! Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 12Jun 24, 2012 9:33 am getnewlookjason Dont forget to get your floor mositure treated or POP goes the wessel I didn't. Why should I. After all, there is a vapour barrier beneath the slab-on-ground. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Concrete slab with solid timber floors, tiles and carpet 13Jun 25, 2012 8:39 pm That doesnt control the RH level in new slabs , Common mistake in the concrete industry is using curing compounds on concrete that is to have a floor covering here is why : Concrete cures at a inch a month for the first 3 month then it dramatically slows down . When you place a curing compound on concrete it helps cure the surface and perhaps a little on the paste but internally it cant Hydrate , Concrete needs to hydrate ( cure naturally ) . so once you grind to get the surface ready for adhesives for many different flooring systems you then take off the barrier that has been stopping the floor from Hydrating . Put a moisture meter on it and it will be off the scale , you will have to waiting another 1" a month or risk blowing off the compunds , This is the main reason why timber floors POP and fail on New builds . Dont stress it can be fixed im just advising you to watch out Interesting Fact in the USA we use 6 mm DPC , not 1.5 mm polythene that can punch with a nail or tie wire Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 15904 1 15752 Thank you. Do I use timber floorboards for stairs or do people use timber treads? Or is both the same? 6 7271 |