Floating Timber Floors

Kate1976 · 21st September 2007, 14:03

I have just purchased a timber framed house which is guaranteed by Zurich.

On the ground floor there is a floating timber floor which I believe consists of the concrete base, over which insulation and interlocking treated chipboard is laid.

However, when you walk over the floor it visibly springs/bounces. Does anyone know what the tolerance levels are? How much bounce is too much? Who should fix it? The developers states its because its a timber floor! Do you think it would be worth contacting Zurich and asking them to come and assess it?

I would like to tile this floor in time but fear that I would be throwing money away.

Bugbait · 9th November 2007, 19:26

Are you referring to the base floor or timber floorboards on top? The base board shouldn't visibly flex unless you weigh 200kgs+. Despite the issues I've had, my floors (chipboard on timber supports) are sound and there is no noticeable flex. Same applies to the 3 new builds my parents had. Squeaking maybe, but visible flex? Never.

However, the timber floors laid on top do visibly flex. Depending on the quality of the boards, this is normal. I intend to replace them with something decent down the line so not too fussed.

SteveS · 11th December 2007, 11:04

Hi,
Usually a floating floor consists of a concrete base then 2' square battens and then chipboard sheets on these battens. Quite often you will have visible bounce. The amount of bounce depends on how carefully the battens have been 'shimmed' to take up any uneven parts of the concrete and how uneven the concrete is in the first place.
Some of the battens used for this type of floating floor actually have a thin sponge tape adhered to the underside so that they can be layed on uneven concrete.

You will find that any reputable tiler will insist on screwing down 12mm+ plywood on the whole floor area to be tiled so that it does not move. The tiler will use a huge amount of screws and you should not have any problems with the tiles.

I think my concrete floors where laid by a toddler using a garden rake. www.Pishsimmon.com