Foundation & Floor
Depending on the application, we use different foundations, e.g. strip, raft or post and beam. The sections show examples of these systems. The post and beam system uses in-situ concrete poured into sub-soil level holes forming a series of pads into which load bearing steel beams are set. These galvanised beams carry both the dead load and the imposed load, protect the timber floor cassettes from moisture from the ground, and create a ventilated clear space.
With conventional foundations, insulation and a concrete screed form the sub-floor. For the post and beam systems the cassettes are made up of floor joists in-filled with insulation that span the foundation steel beams. Fixed with screws to avoid squeaking, a sub-floor of OSB3 interlocking sheeting is applied on top of the floor joists and insulation providing a sub-floor ready for the flooring material of your choice. A high-density galvanised steel mesh is stapled to the joists to support the insulation and protect the flooring material. The external perimeter of the floor is finished with a metal trim flashing to integrate the walls and floor and also serves as a protective barrier for the floor and foundation. An alternative finish is 9mm WBP plywood screwed and glued to the underside of the floor joists to create a stress-skinned layer to improve performance of the floor to take larger loads.
