Beam & Block Floor

[Calpol]

Anybody know much about them? I saw it ont' telly a while back and seems a good idea... Was thinking about building in my garden but it's very uneven and there's roots everywhere so an elevated floor sound the very dab.

It's used all over the place but I haven't designed anything yet, I prefer to know how much things'll cost then design round that but all the companies need sizes to quote from. Sooo, anybody got any rough figures if you don't mind...? PM me if you'd prefer

Thanking you

 

[9fingers]

The beams are normally set in two level parallel bearers (walls)

You would have to dig a channel out, pour in concrete, then lay a course of high density blocks to clear the highest point on the ground on two sides, then lay the beams.

Won't be cheap as the pros use the beams by the lorry load and you will only need a few.
Ideally still need to screed the floor afterwards plus damproofing plus insulation etc.

Not really a perfect solution IMHO
Bob

 

[skipdiver]

I think it would be costly too.For a garden building,i think timber would be better,possibly supported on piers to raise it up.

 

[dennis]

As skipdiver says timber on piers is a good option,another option if you do not want to dig it all out and put a concrete base in is to build support walls as for beam and block but instead use corrugated tins as permanent shuttering and put a concrete floor on top of the tins.This is a method that we often use for upper floors only with heavy duty purpose made tins,but corrugated roof sheets are fine for smaller projects.I dont know how this would compare price wise with beam and block but as has been pointed out you would either need a sand and cement screed or wooden floor on top of beam and block.

Dennis

 

[Calpol]

Well it'd be for a workshop which is why I wasn't bothered about concreting it... The machines will likely be heavy ones as well so it'll need something substanital and it would mean I could elevate it above all the underground gumf a wee bit. Just dig for the foundations I think...

 

[adzeman]

Used them a lot. can be cheaper than a concrete slab at say £80.00 per M3
If I new how to input a drawing onto the forum I could give you a sketch.
They are a series of precast beams cut to whatever length at the precast yard with a chop saw.
infilled with hollow blocks (breeze) all topped off with a sand and cement screed.
The beams are supported by a block or brick wall on a strip footing.

Things to way up in comparison to a concrete slab.
1. you would have to form strip footings or edge beam if using concrete or beam & pot can be mixed up by hand or site mixer.
2 Form edge support in brick, block or concrete
3. No hardcore or levelling up.
4. Lay pre cast beams
5. Smallish area could be man handled by 2 people
6. If using concrete slab one man can only handle 1M3 and you have to have truck access. Initial set stars in 25mins so you have to work fast.
7 lay a screed topping.

 

[CWatters]

Used B&B for both floors of our new house.

http://www.milbank-floors.co.uk/bb_tech.shtml

http://www.milbank-floors.co.uk/bb_illus.shtml

Roll over the numbers on that last page for details.

Try to find a local supplier for the beams and supply your own blocks, otherwise transport costs maybe a factor for a small project.