Browse Forums Eco Living 1 Jun 28, 2012 9:33 pm I'm sort of repeating a question that I floated in the flooring forum a few days ago, but I'd really like some input regarding the efficiency of my options. We are building with M'con and unfortunately they won't do polished concrete. I figure the next best option would be tiles. Correct? I love the look of floorboards, but am turned off by the beading around the perimeter and kitchen benches. However, if I wanted to go down this route, am I negating the benefit of having a slab by insulating the floor with the boards? Also, would there be any difference between solid boards and laminate flooring (in terms of thermal in/efficiency)? We have the house oriented with living to the north, but my other half won't bend on the alfresco which will unfortunately shade one large window. That leaves only one other window to get the benefit of the north sun into the area in question (kitchen, meals, family). So I'm even wondering if the choice of flooring will have much impact anyway. There are other north facing rooms of course, but they will be carpeted. Cheers, MP. Re: Passive solar flooring options 2Jun 28, 2012 10:19 pm Yeah, you're right in thinking that the wooden flooring will take away a lot of the effect of sun-shining-on-something-which-slowly-releases-heat, and laminate will be much the same as the wood. But if there's an alfresco stopping the sun from falling on the flooring for most of the north-facing aspect, it's probably a bit irrelevant anyway. I mean, something concretey or tiled in that area would make a difference, but only a small one. Definitely more important to be concerned with double-glazing, avoiding leaks around window frames & making sure the insulation's up to scratch. Re: Passive solar flooring options 4Jul 04, 2012 7:34 am Re: Passive solar flooring options 5Jul 05, 2012 2:57 pm My mum got cork flooring to replace the salmon carpet that was there when they moved in. Given Dad's paint "colour" preferences (white, white, and white with a hint of white in it), the white cork flooring with the white walls & highlights etc is all very "white", but it does look pretty decent and has the advantages mentioned. And the fact that it's white proves you really can have just about any colour you want. They did have to get the people who laid it back to re-seal a few areas, I don't know the details but it looks to me as though the whatever-they-seal-it-with stuff soaks into the cork & they need to put heaps on until it stops being absorbed; but if that's not unusual then it's a problem for the people putting it down to fix, and not the home owner. It's got no "passive solar" heat-retention-and-re-radiation properties though, it's pretty much an insulator. 0 4934 Hi there, I'm a conplete newbie to this, but I'm looking to put a floor down in my 6x9m shed. It's currently sitting on a 100mm thick concrete perimeter (dirt floor… 0 6432 Standard uninsulated double brick has an R value of around 0.7. An insulated standard 90mm stud timber frame can have an R value of around 2.7. Even if you insulate a… 17 11999 |