First floor - Block and beam or wooden joists

[EH1]

Just about to embark on a self build. Unsure about first floor construction. We are thinking about block and beam or wooden joists - the easi joist type. Any views on pros and cons?
The first floor is 150 m2 approx. How are the costs likely to compare?
We are using UFH downstairs and in upstairs bathrooms we may use radiators in the other rooms upstairs or continue with UFH. Again any views.
We want the floor to be soundproof as we have 2 noisy children.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrewmudge]

Firstly what kind of build are you considering ? If it's sips or timber inner leaf then block and beam is out of the question any way.

Blocks give you a squeak free floor if you screed it but not necessarily if you place a floating floor over.

Posi joists are very good excellent rigidity over conventional joists less noisy lighter and if loads easier to install and put your services through. You can e en by the webs and make the joists yourself.

Personally it's a solid ground floor for and timber from first floor up saves you a lot of money in materials, labour and potentially plant hire. Plus cheap rock wool goes between and cabling on us simpler , and studs can be fixed under or over much more simply. If you would like any more info give us a shout. I'm a qualified tradesman trying to dispell the rumour we are all self centred planks.

 

[EH1]

Thank you for taking the time to repond.

We are building with bricks and blocks.

So if we put insulation between the easi joists are we likely to get much noise transfer between floors?

Also between the first floor children's room we are concerned about noise transfer and potential conflict!! With a block and beam floor could we put a block work wall between the bedrooms? With easijoists we would have to put in steel to support a first floor block work wall. Are stud walls with insulation effective to reduce noise transfer between rooms?

We are planning to spend the next 40 years in this house so we really want to get the structural stuff right.

Thanks again!


Personally it's a solid ground floor for and timber from first floor up saves you a lot of money in materials, labour and potentially plant hire. Plus cheap rock wool goes between and cabling on us simpler , and studs can be fixed under or over much more simply. If you would like any more info give us a shout. I'm a qualified tradesman trying to dispell the rumour we are all self centred planks.[/quote]

 

[chickenlips]

You can e en by the webs and make the joists yourself.

Nope, this is not true. Unless you have the proper Plant machinery to manufacture these, no-one would sell you the webs. Its against the licensing agreement they will have with the manufacturers of the webs.


As for noise transmission with stud walls, soundproof quilting along with soundbloc plasterboards shouldnt give you any problems.

You could also consider acoustic fixings for plasterboards to ceiling as well.

If your using the screeded UFH, then this will help stop sound transmission as well don't forget.

Costs wise, shouldnt be much in it, once you consider the full make up of the floors and any services needed through the floors.
The main advantage Posi/Easi Joists have over any other type of floor is passage of services. This should be taken into account when getting prices of other trades and in comparison to beam and block.

If you need any other info on the Posi-floors feel free to PM me.