Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Oct 22, 2012 8:06 am We are currently building new house with one of the big builders, we have floor boards in the main living areas and tiles in the laundry and wc. The floor boards have a underlay that would be a about 6mm and the boards themselves are 19mm. The tiles, I guess would be about 10mm including the cement, so where they meet the tiles are about 15mm lower than the boards. Firstly it looks terrible; secondly we are planning on having kids soon and could see this as a real tripping hazard (and not just for kids). I spoke to the site foreman about it and his response was that’s just the thickness of the flooring that you picked. I was wondering if somebody could let me know on compliance with the building code regarding this sort of thing, clearly if it is in breach they will need to rectify it. With a bit of research so far I have found in the Guide to Standards and Tolerances released by the building commission section 2.07 where it states floors are considered defective if “floors that are documented to be on the same plane but are constructed on different planes”. I can’t find anywhere in my contract that says the laundry as on a different level to the kitchens etc. Does anybody have any advice on where I stand with this? Is this clause adequate or is there something else in the building code that might help me? Lastly I am thinking of engaging an independent building inspector to help sort this issue out and just to do a final check of the house before hand over, does anybody know any good ones in Melbourne? Re: Flooring at different levels 2Oct 22, 2012 1:29 pm That's pretty much standard operating procedure for all or at least most major project builders unfortunately. If you go into any display home you'll find up to 60mm difference between halls,lounges etc and bathroom or laundry floor levels. It is not that hard nor much cost at all to set the concrete lower in those areas at the slab pour stage but no-one seems to want to do it. Go and have a look at the builders display homes somewhere and have a look at their floor levels. Stewie Re: Flooring at different levels 3Oct 22, 2012 10:02 pm Hi, we are in the exact same position, with our solid timber flooring being 26mm (14mm hardwood on 12mm ply) and polished porcelain tiles in the wet areas. Not sure how high the tiles come up but have been told they will be lower. Having the tiles done through the builder but the timber flooring done after handover. Our site supervisor is going to see what can be done. I'm not hopeful of a solution, but if I am told of one I will post it here. I have heard of putting plywood under carpeted areas to raise the height of the carpet, but not sure what to do about the tiles (!). I have small children and I too am worried about the trip hazard!!!! Re: Flooring at different levels 4Oct 22, 2012 10:29 pm Ours is opposite we doing vinyl planks so they will be lower than tile areas so we are having the tiled areas on slab made lower to have smooth transitions. Not sure how fix that being the other way around. Re: Flooring at different levels 5Oct 25, 2012 6:59 pm Hi again - well we have had some success (although none of it has happened yet so can't comment on the actual finished product!) We have been speaking with the builder, and as said before, our timber floors are 26mm finished floor height, and we are going to be getting a product called Ardex levelling compound (I think) which is going to be put at a height of about 14mm (or there abouts, that's something for the builder to work out), which will result in the wet areas being raised by 14mm. Then the tiles will sit on top of that, therefore (fingers crossed) the timber will flow to the start of the tiles at the same height, and therefore no trip hazard. For the carpeted areas, I went to Choices today and with their underlay (10mm) and a top quality twist pile carpet, they said that there would be minimal height difference, if any, from the timber to the carpet. If there was, they would use the Ardex at the door frames to the carpeted areas by a few mm and ramp it down. That way the carpet would sit flush with the timber floors and you wouldn't even feel any 'ramp' so to speak. Therefore I think we have solved our problems... just hope it looks as good as in theory!!! Hi, have purchased a house with 2 single garage doors. The Centre pillar one side sits proud to the other. Can I change 2 doors into one. Please see picture. 0 6200 yep you need a joint, foam is easiest, will look fine once rendered with a joint. 2 5228 1000000% definitely add insulation. I have in my home and it makes a big difference minimising sound transfer. Insulation is pretty cheap and definitely worth it 2 6173 |