INTERIORS 43
THE FUTURE OF BEAM AND BLOCK
Ashley Perkins of Milbank Concrete Products explains why housebuilders should be choosing a thermally insulated flooring solution over traditional methods of ground floor construction.
H
ousebuilders should think about the advantages of incorporating insulation into their structural
flooring – underfloor insulation not only provides many standalone benefits for a home, it can also help with synergising existing insulation systems throughout a property to improve its overall functionality. Utilising expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation modules rather than conventional concrete blocks, thermally insulated beam and block flooring offers construction professionals a cost-effective alternative to quickly assembling a thermally insulated concrete ground floor over the traditional methods of beam and concrete block construction. Reduced initial construction costs and an
increase in energy savings make insulated flooring a compelling alternative to a standard beam and block floor. This, in combination with its general A+ Green Guide rating, is making it a must have addition to new eco-friendly developments where keeping heating costs low is paramount.
EPS insulated concrete flooring is
suitable for almost any structure, but is most commonly used in housing, from single dwellings to complete housing developments, offering a simple, cost-effec- tive concrete insulated flooring solution. Without the need for any specialist tools or
REDUCED INITIAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND AN INCREASE IN ENERGY SAVINGS MAKE INSULATED FLOORING A COMPELLING ALTERNATIVE TO A STANDARD BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR
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skills, installation of insulated concrete flooring is efficient and streamlined, while minimising waste and emission rates. So, how does it work? An insulated
concrete flooring solution works by combining rigid insulation modules (EPS panels) manufactured from lightweight closed cell expanded polystyrene, which is laid in-between prestressed concrete beams (either 155 mm or 225 mm deep) with an EPS top sheet (also produced from polystyrene), damp proof membrane and structural concrete topping. If required, underfloor heating can be incorporated, with the pipework attaching to the EPS
panels with plastic pegs before the concrete topping is applied. Most thermal flooring arrangements will
comprise six main EPS components that are available in two types of EPS; standard issue in white (0.038 W/m²K) or an alternative high-performance platinum in grey (0.031 W/m²K). The six components are made up of top sheets – available in depths of 75- 150 mm, infill panels – available in 533 mm for nominal 600mm beam centres and 343 mm for reduced beam centres, and end panels – available in 178 mm and 300 mm variants. EPS end panels are used for both the
start and end of the flooring installation. The end panels are inserted at the start of the row with the straight (1,200 mm edge) opposite to the beam. All units are 1,200 mm long and can be cut on site to the required length using basic tools such as a handsaw (minimum 300 mm long). As every building is different, precast
concrete manufacturers are usually well equipped to design your floor to achieve the specific targeted U-values (reaching as low as 0.07 W/m²K) together with the structural layout of the floor to suit. Make sure you research your chosen manufac- turer and ensure they are able to cater to your needs. Once designed, the manufacturer can
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