Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing

BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.

Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing (GG28/1 revised 2015) was written by Rupert Pool and Chris Scivyer, and published by BRE on 30 March 2015. It is part 1 of a 5-part Good Building Guide that considers the construction of new and replacement domestic floors and their repair. It updates guidance published in 1997.

The 8-page part 1 describes ground floor construction in new buildings and in refurbishment work where floors are being replaced. It is concerned mainly with domestic buildings, but some recommendations will also apply to other types of building.

It describes the types of ground floors commonly used in domestic properties; ground-supported concrete slab floors, suspended concrete floors (including beam and block) and suspended timber floors. It provides information on how to construct each type of floor and gives advice on the positioning of damp-proof membranes (DPMs) and thermal insulation.

In particular, it gives details of; damp proofing, vapour-control layers, drying times for concrete bases and screeds, positions for thermal insulation. It does not deal with; structural requirements, specific values or thicknesses of thermal insulation, requirements for the exclusion of radon and methane or heated screeds.

The contents of part 1 are:

• Introduction.
• Ground-supported concrete slabs.
• Suspended concrete (beam and block or plank).
• Suspended timber.
• Screeds for concrete bases.
• Thermal insulation and membranes for concrete bases.
• Chipboard.
• Conclusion.
• References.
• Further reading.

Parts 2–5 explain how to assess different types of floor construction for replacement or repair, and how to repair them.

--BRE Group

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