Depending on the characteristics of the building, the flooring materials are most often concrete and metal, and wood is increasingly receding into the background due to its lower strength. However, besides this drawback, it has other advantages that can be significantly enhanced in symbiosis with aerated concrete structures.
This combination is almost ideal, both in terms of material and labor costs, and in relation to the requirements for the reliability of the structure. Both aerated concrete and wood are not high-strength materials, but if properly reinforced with reinforcement, they can easily ensure the reliability and stability of the structure.
Types of wooden floors
1. Standard beams.
They are a system of monolithic or glued wood beams, on top of which a rough floor covering is laid in the form of a transverse board, heated floors and other coverings.
The dimensions of such elements reach 400 mm in height, 200 mm in width and up to 15 m in length.
In cases where the base of the floor is connected to one or two or more walls, it is not laid from a separate 5 m beam, but one beam 15 m long is installed, centering it and strengthening it with additional spacer elements. Such a monolithic construction technology is only possible with many supporting walls.
2. Lightweight ribbed
Such details are used infrequently, but they are indispensable when building a house from a wood frame.
Their main feature is that the cladding and ribs are laid at intervals of only 30-50 cm.
Their length is limited to 5 meters and width to 30 centimeters. Coverings made from them are sheathed with different materials: plywood, chipboard plates, and sometimes steel tape.
To soundproof structures made from them, mineral wool is mandatory. For aerated concrete buildings, their use is rational only in relation to the design features of one separate room.
3. Beam-ribbed
They are a combination of the first two types, by using both beams and ribs in one structure.
In this case, the ribs are installed across the beams, which in this case are needed an order of magnitude smaller due to a more uniform distribution of the load. In this case, less wood is consumed, but the installation process is slightly more complicated compared to the previous two options.
General rules for the construction of wooden floors
In the case of buildings made of aerated concrete, the correct technology for laying wood is no less important a factor in ensuring the stability and durability of the building than the blocks themselves. If it is violated, there is a possibility of displacement of the geometry and uniform distribution of the load between all structural elements, which in the worst case can lead to partial or complete collapse of the building.
To prevent this, during the construction process it is necessary to strictly follow the following rules for the installation of wooden structures:
- Beams are installed into aerated concrete walls directly during the construction process, before finishing work is carried out. To determine the required number of beams, their installation intervals and the optimal dimensions of wooden elements, it is necessary to make advance engineering calculations of the strength of the surface they form, taking into account the type of material.
- Beam elements are inserted into the wall during its construction: nests-recesses are arranged in it, so that their depth is equal to half the thickness of the entire wall. If it is necessary to organize a through nest, it must be covered with insulation with vapor-proof characteristics.
- The external beams located at the edges of the walls are always installed first. They are leveled using a level and a long, flat board, which is passed along the beams, placing it on the edge. To neutralize their distortions, pieces of boards of suitable thickness are placed under individual logs. Thus, the outer beams become reference beams, and the intermediate elements are aligned along them, using the same straight board, the ends of which rest on the already adjusted outer parts.
- The base for the subfloor on the floor is laid out with timber no more than 50 mm thick, fixing it with self-tapping screws. A thin, unplaned subfloor board is laid on top. Its elements are laid across the main beams and fixed to the beam with self-tapping screws. Wood parts intended for floor construction must undergo antiseptic treatment before installation.
- Before constructing a floor covering on beam floors, layers of vapor and waterproofing materials are preliminarily laid on them. For example, polystyrene foam is laid in overlapping strips, after which all joints between its segments are covered with tape. On top of it lies insulation slabs in the form of ecowool, expanded clay or the same foamed polystyrene, and finally the finishing of the floor itself. It is not recommended to use heavy materials such as porcelain stoneware tiles. The ideal option regarding weight, reliability and durability is a parquet or regular wooden board.
Floor installation
After preparing all the materials, tools and erecting load-bearing walls, you can begin the installation of floors, which is carried out in several stages.
1. Stage one - design calculation
The shortest room size is always taken as the starting point. The cross-sectional size of the base determines the installation step-interval. As a rule, it corresponds to one meter.
For the initial beam, the most flat surface is especially necessary, which will not allow it to be fixed even with a slight tilt in the horizontal plane. The beam is selected so that it can withstand a load of more than 400 kg per square meter of its area.
Parts with a ratio of 1.5 to 1 are suitable in terms of height to width ratio.
It is necessary to equip floors in aerated concrete structures with a reserve, so the beams are selected a little longer than necessary according to calculations, and then the excess is sawed off using a regular hacksaw.
2. Stage two – preparation for installation
Even at the stage of wall construction, it is necessary to make special openings in aerated concrete blocks into which covering elements will be inserted. The opening spacing corresponds to the beams and is made every meter, 300 mm deep, and 300 mm wide or more, depending on the characteristics of the beam.
After installation, the end of the ceiling is not filled with anything to prevent wood rotting. It is strictly forbidden to install a load-bearing beam adjacent to a parallel wall.
3. Stage three - floor covering
This operation itself implies a clear sequence of manipulations:
- One day before installation, all wood elements are prepared for installation by treating them with antiseptic and fire-resistant compounds, excluding the end surfaces.
- The beams are measured, if necessary, sawing off the excess with a hacksaw, so that on both sides of the installation there is a margin of up to 450 mm from the dimensions of the room. It is necessary to saw off the excess at an angle of 60 degrees to ensure a trapezoidal cut, which, due to its geometry, provides a more reliable fixation in the wall.
- Install the external beams, adjusting their position according to the level, centering them with a flat board across the direction of laying. The ends of the beam elements should not abut the aerated concrete walls - a gap of 30-50 mm must be provided for their ventilation.
- After aligning all the beams and adjusting their position, fix each of them using dry crushed stone.
- Finally, the planting nests in the aerated concrete walls are walled up with a solution of cement and crushed stone.
- As the cement mixture sets, they begin to organize thermal insulation using polystyrene foam, expanded clay, ecowool and other materials.
- Next, a layer of waterproofing is applied in the form of liquid rubber, mastic, polyurea, polymer varnishes, resins and other materials.
- Upon completion of the waterproofing work, logs are installed using self-tapping screws - timber, which is the basis for laying the floorboard.
- On top of the floorboard is a rough floor covering, and a decorative covering is laid on it.
- The ceiling performs two functions at once - floor and ceiling. To equip the second, similar operations are performed, including heat and waterproofing. However, in this case, the logs need to be much less massive, because they will only need to withstand the weight of the finished ceiling covering.
- Advantages and disadvantages of wooden floors.
Pros:
- Relatively low price, since wood is one of the most affordable building materials. Despite the use of the best wood species, which has undergone several stages of processing, the price of the final structure made from it will in any case be cheaper than the option based on reinforced concrete.
- Minimum weight characterizes wood material as not very durable, but this property is completely offset by combination with aerated concrete structures, which do not create an increased load, unlike brick buildings, which means that a structure with wooden elements does not lose strength. Therefore, combining two not the most durable, but inexpensive, lightweight and very easy to install and operate materials is extremely beneficial.
- Ease of use. Unlike concrete structures, installation costs and restrictions are minimal. The tree does not require “wet” operations and is not limited by the time of year. Therefore, structures made from it can be installed both in winter and in summer. Adjusted for winter frosts when organizing a reinforcing belt for earthquake-prone regions.
Minuses:
- Restrictions on use. Wooden floors in aerated concrete houses do not always provide sufficient structural reliability. For example, in multi-storey buildings with a third and subsequent floors, wood cannot be used on construction sites where seismicity exceeds 8 points.
- Low durability. Over time, a tree sooner or later loses its original performance characteristics. All sorts of impregnations and compounds that are used to pre-treat it will slow down this process. But even if an entire beam rots, its replacement is not an impossible or extremely complex and expensive operation and cannot be compared with the problems of restoring reinforced concrete floors.
- When choosing a wood section, preference should be given to a more powerful element, since otherwise it will not be possible to compensate for their excessive weakness, even by making a solid palisade out of them in the ceiling.
- For multi-storey buildings, it is recommended to lay wooden floors between floors not directly on aerated concrete blocks, but on a reinforced concrete reinforcing belt mounted around the entire perimeter of the building.
- For laying a reinforcing belt and installing beams, the most suitable are special U-shaped blocks, which must be calculated and ordered separately.
- The attic floor is subject to minimal loads, so you can seriously save on it by eliminating reinforcement and flooring. To move around the attic, it is enough to lay bridges between the joists.
Aerated concrete blocks are in demand in private construction; the optimal budget option is a house with an area of over 100 m2, including two floors. The type of interfloor ceiling can be anything: from monolithic to prefabricated; the main materials are reinforced concrete, metal, wood and cellular grades of concrete similar to walls. The main factors taken into account when choosing include load-bearing capacity, durability, reliability and weight of the structure, economic feasibility, the need for the use of special equipment and the impact on the timing of work.
Requirements for first floor floors
Unlike an attic or floors close to the ground, it separates rooms with the same temperature zones, and there is no need for insulation or enhanced protection from moisture. The main function is the uniform distribution of weight loads: its own weight, furniture, people, walls of subsequent floors and roofing. To ensure this condition and protect the gas blocks from pushing and cracking, the ceiling is placed on top of an armored belt laid on the 1st floor along the entire upper perimeter of the vertical load-bearing structures. The fire safety of the materials used, their sound insulation and strength properties are also taken into account.
- Monolithic reinforced concrete slabs poured directly on site.
- Multi-hollow prefabricated concrete products made of concrete of various grades, installed using lifting equipment.
- Prefabricated monolithic from aerated concrete.
- Beams made of metal or wood.
1. Pros and cons of monolithic slabs.
The essence of the technology is to pour concrete into a formwork placed on the ground floor with high supports. The thickness of the slab varies between 10-20 mm; to enhance its strength, it must be reinforced with metal. Two versions are possible: with the same cross-section over the entire plane and lightweight, with stiffening ribs directed downwards. The top layer of concrete serves as the floor of the second floor; due to the absence of seams and rough joints, the need for finishing is minimal.
Such a system is considered reliable and resistant to loads and impacts; it complies with fire safety standards. But despite all the advantages, it is not chosen more often than others for a house made of aerated concrete blocks; the technology is expensive and labor-intensive and requires approval from the authorities that allow the commissioning of objects. The main condition is to fill a single monolith with a high-quality solution, which implies the purchase of trademarks and the use of concrete pumps. The cost of construction also increases due to the need for reliable formwork (most often rented) and interruption of work until the final strength of the cement is achieved (it is allowed to build the walls of the next floor at least 3 weeks after concreting).
2. The nuances of covering with ready-made concrete products.
This variety is recommended for spans up to 6 m long when installing smooth slabs, 9 m for ribbed slabs. Despite the limitation in size and the need for special equipment, it is in demand. This is due to the high speed of placement work, independence from seismic activity and the use of products with proven characteristics. The height is selected taking into account the expected loads; for a house made of aerated concrete, the recommended range is 12-20 cm for smooth types, 25-20 for ribbed ones. The main requirement of the technology is to support the slabs on load-bearing walls; reinforcement and strengthening of the upper row of walls on the first floor is mandatory; internal partitions on the second floor are erected later.
3. Features of beam-type floors.
This option is considered the most budget-friendly, has several layers: working boards or corrugated sheets are fixed on both sides between supports made of wooden beams or rolled steel, the internal space is filled with heat and sound insulating materials, the top layer acts as a subfloor. To avoid deflection, the floor beams go onto the walls made of aerated concrete; the support on the reinforced belt should be at least 15-20 cm. In this case, contact along the entire length of the blocks is avoided, the edges of the supports are insulated on the façade side with mineral wool or polystyrene foam.
Metal beams are superior in reliability, but due to their heavy weight, they cannot always be installed independently. The recommended step for their placement is 90-120 cm, the approach to the armored belt is 25 cm, the presence of additional fasteners is mandatory. Wooden beams are laid without the use of cranes at intervals of 0.5-1.5 m, special attention is paid to treatment with fire retardants and antiseptics.
This option provides the lowest load-bearing capacity, being almost half that of reinforced concrete, but due to the availability of materials, low weight load on aerated concrete blocks and ease of installation, it is most often chosen.
4. Prefabricated monolithic structures made of aerated concrete.
This type is valued for its ability to be installed independently without the use of cranes or concrete pumps. It consists of gas blocks placed on top of relatively light reinforced concrete beams (weight does not exceed 120 kg) and a thin layer of reinforced screed - within 50 cm. Any rectangular products made of lightweight concrete can be used, including polystyrene foam, but the best ones (similar to the wall material) characteristics observed in aerated concrete. All gaps between the blocks are filled with mortar, the overlap is reinforced with a metal mesh. Final strength is achieved after 28 days, but partial loading of the subfloor and second floor is resolved within a week.
Advantages and limitations of each option
All of the above floors provide the required load-bearing capacity (within 500-800 kg/m2), the final type is selected based on the budget and timing of the work. Beam and prefabricated monolithic structures have restrictions on the number of storeys; according to building codes, they are suitable only for two-story and attic houses made of aerated concrete.
| Type | Main advantages, in which cases it is recommended | Limitations and Disadvantages Considered |
| Monolithic slab | Suitable for spans of any type, size and shape, including radial, do not require rental of lifting equipment, characterized by maximum load-bearing capacity (up to 800 kg/m2) | Pouring is expensive, to install the formwork you need a stable and level floor on the ground floor, it is advisable to carry out all concreting work in one day, construction time increases by a month |
| Ready-made reinforced concrete hollow-core structures | The best option for limited construction time of an aerated concrete house, the floor can withstand and evenly distribute loads of up to 800 kg/m2, the final costs are acceptable | The need for special equipment and organization of supports for the slabs during installation, significant dead weight for durable varieties, size limitations |
| Beam wooden floor | The most affordable and budget variety, due to its light weight it ensures minimal load on aerated blocks and the foundation. Suitable for do-it-yourself installation | Not allowed when building a house in areas with seismic activity over 8 points; materials require periodic updating of protection against fires and fungus |
| Same with metal beams | Reasonable cost of work on installing beams; if calculated correctly, they do not sag and last a long time | Lifting machines are used for laying support structures; the safe operation period is inferior to reinforced concrete |
| From aerated concrete | The same properties and characteristics are provided with the walls of a house made of aerated blocks, including good heat and sound insulation. Self-installation is possible, work time is average | Scope of application is limited to two floors |
Aerated concrete, along with gas silicate and foam concrete, belongs to the group of building materials “cellular concrete”. A distinctive feature of this group of materials is a large proportion of air (70-90%) in the material. As a result, cellular concrete has high thermal insulation characteristics; however, the porosity of cellular concrete reduces its strength and requires serious calculations during construction.
Houses made of aerated concrete
For those who want to build a house from aerated concrete, you need to know several fundamentally important features of this material.
- Firstly, the low strength of aerated concrete requires special calculations when building houses above the first floor.
- Secondly, any even minimal shrinkage of a house made of aerated concrete leads to the formation of cracks in the blocks. This feature requires special attention to the preparation of the pit for the foundation, as well as the most accurate alignment and construction of the foundation of the house.
- Thirdly, houses made of aerated concrete require almost no insulation. However, aerated concrete is a highly inert material, and it does not retain heat well.
- Fourthly, houses made of aerated concrete require mandatory finishing, both outside and inside. Any type of finishing is suitable, however, the porosity of aerated concrete complicates both painting work and fastening of facing materials.
- And lastly, fifthly, special attention should be paid to the floors of aerated concrete houses. Heavy types of floors are absolutely not suitable here.
Types of floors in aerated concrete houses
One may come across the opinion that aerated concrete construction technology requires the installation of wooden floors. Traditional wooden beams, with the construction of a rough wooden floor using traditional technologies. However, the use of D600 aerated concrete blocks for external walls in the construction involves the use of aerated concrete slabs, as well as hollow-core concrete floor slabs.
You need to understand that the desire to use floor slabs instead of wooden beams changes and increases the cost of construction technology. In this option, it is necessary to install a reinforced concrete ring belt along the outer walls.
Aerated concrete floor slabs are considered universal and preferable in aerated concrete houses. They are warm, do not require additional insulation, and create a smooth base floor surface.
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Hollow-core concrete slabs are used for distances greater than 6 meters. The slab rests on a concrete belt, which is poured from monolithic concrete or sand-lime brick masonry.
It is worth noting that reinforced floor slabs made of aerated concrete have appeared on the market. They are laid using the tongue-and-groove method, using a dry method. They are distinguished by their low weight, allowing them to work without the use of heavy lifting equipment.
Floors in aerated concrete houses
The installation of floors in houses made of aerated concrete depends on the type of flooring chosen. There are no special technologies here, except for taking into account the characteristics of aerated concrete itself. If the house uses wood beam floors, the floor construction in the house is similar to that of standard wood floors. When using porous concrete slabs, it is important to avoid installing wet concrete screeds due to their weight and consider a lighter floor structure. Withstand load 600 kg per meter.
- Floors made of aerated concrete slabs do not require insulation.
- Aerated concrete absorbs water well, so it requires reusable, or better yet, polymer priming before using solutions in floor finishing.
- Aerated concrete is poorly suited for holding fasteners. Therefore, when attaching structures to aerated concrete, you need to use special dowels and fasteners.
In this article we will talk about what floors for a house made of aerated concrete are and what are the main characteristics of these structural materials.
The topic of choosing the optimal type of floors for such buildings is not accidental, since cellular concrete and structural elements based on them are widely used for the construction of low-rise residential buildings.
Laying the interfloor structure is one of the most difficult stages of construction
Floors and their features
Floors are one of the most important structural elements in any modern home. Interfloor horizontal modifications of these structural elements take on horizontal and vertical loads and redistribute the resulting forces to load-bearing walls.
Thus, the floors have to withstand the load of their own weight, as well as the weight of furniture, flooring and people living in the house. Another important function of these structural elements is to ensure optimal rigidity parameters for the structure of a construction project.
Based on the above, we can draw the following conclusion. The choice of interfloor slabs requires a competent and responsible approach, especially when it comes to houses built using aerated concrete wall blocks.
The fact is that concrete with a cellular or porous structure has less compressive strength than materials. This parameter must be taken into account when selecting structural elements for the arrangement of objects built using lightweight wall blocks.
Types of floors
On the building materials market, interfloor floors in aerated concrete houses are represented by a wide range of different modifications.
In accordance with the method of execution and in accordance with the type of material used in production, these structural elements are divided into the following modifications:
- slab;
- monolithic;
- made on metal and wooden beams.
Let's talk about each of these modifications in more detail.
Slab type floors
The photo shows the finished slabs that remain to be laid in the required order.
This type of structural elements is assembled directly on the construction site using reinforced concrete slabs.
The number of slabs is determined by their standard sizes and dimensions of the object. The dimensions of reinforced concrete slabs used in the construction of low-rise buildings are 1-1.5 meters wide and 1.3-7.2 meters long.
Reinforced concrete slabs used in the manufacture of ceiling structures are designated “NV”, “NVK”, “PK” and “PNO”. These reinforced concrete products are manufactured by large reinforced concrete plants and delivered to the end buyer in a ready-made form.
The photo shows the order of laying reinforced concrete slabs
The advantages of slab floors include the following qualities:
- short deadlines and ease of installation work(if necessary, diamond drilling of holes in concrete can be used);
- load-bearing capacity of at least 800 kg/m², and therefore, there is no threat of collapse, regardless of the mechanical load parameters;
- presence of special voids due to which a high degree of noise insulation and low thermal conductivity are ensured in comparison with solid structures;
- affordable price in comparison with monolithic analogues;
- less weight in comparison with monolithic concrete structures, which is important for construction projects built using cellular and porous blocks.
However, the use of slabs has a number of characteristic disadvantages, including:
- The need to use special lifting equipment, which results in additional financial expenses and inconvenience if access to the construction site is difficult for large vehicles.
- Limited selection of standard sizes.
- The need for professionalism and sufficient experience in installation work.
Monolithic floors
The photo shows a reinforcement structure for pouring a concrete floor
Such modifications of floors are made directly on the construction site. To do this, formwork is installed at the construction site, in which a reinforcement frame is installed and a cement-containing mortar, selected in accordance with technological requirements, is then poured.
As a rule, the thickness of monolithic floors used in buildings made of lightweight concrete is 150-300 mm.
The advantages of these structural materials include:
- high load-bearing capacity;
- wide range of configurations through independent arrangement of forms for pouring concrete (cutting reinforced concrete with diamond wheels can be used to finalize the configuration);
- wide range of standard sizes;
- the possibility of using this technology where the use of slab analogues is difficult or chipped.
Along with the advantages, there are a number of disadvantages, including:
- the duration of installation work and the long time required to set the optimal overlap;
- the need to develop a project taking into account the mechanical loads exerted on the structure and other operational features;
- the need to use large-scale special equipment, including mobile mixers and concrete pumps.
- the high cost of manufacturing the floor, which negatively affects the cost of the entire construction.
Important: When making monolithic floors, it is not allowed to prepare concrete with your own hands using small-sized mixers.
The solution of the required brand must be supplied in volumes necessary to fill the entire structure at a time.
Therefore, it is advisable to order ready-made concrete from specialized organizations that guarantee product compliance with the specified brand.
Floors on metal and wooden beams
Wooden floors in aerated concrete houses are popular for a number of reasons. They are easy to make and really weigh little. Moreover, wooden floors can be assembled and used for their intended purpose without the need for long-term strength building, which is typical for reinforced concrete products.
For the manufacture of such structures, timber made of solid or laminated wood is used. The gaps between the beams are filled with heat-insulating materials. The design is complemented by lathing, which is placed on the beams, both on the top and bottom sides. Rough and finishing floors are installed on top of the sheathing, and a ceiling surface is installed on the other side.
A similar design is used for floors, in which metal beams are used instead of lumber. Such structures are characterized by greater weight compared to all-wooden counterparts. But in this case, the floors are more resistant to mechanical loads.
Among the disadvantages of the first and second solutions, it should be noted that structures with only a small area can be manufactured.
Important: As the floor area increases, its resistance to mechanical loads decreases, which is most noticeable if the house uses a prefabricated structure made of wood.
Conclusion
So, now we know what the instructions are for arranging various floors, all that remains is to decide what is the optimal solution for a house built using aerated concrete.
Ready-made slabs and monolithic concrete structures are a good solution, but their weight and installation complexity cancel out all the advantages. Ceilings based on metal or wooden beams are lightweight and easy to install. It appears that precast beam slabs are the best option for a home built with lightweight concrete.
If you have any questions, you can find more useful information by watching the video in this article.
When designing a house made of aerated concrete, builders are one of the first to decide on the type of floors. The following structures have become widespread: reinforced concrete monoliths and panels, wooden beams. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are important to evaluate before starting installation work.
- availability of special equipment;
- cost of installation work and materials;
- speed of building construction.
Despite the fact that panel and monolithic floors in a house made of aerated concrete are characterized by a lot of positive qualities, they also have negative sides - it is difficult to select slabs of the desired configuration and size. Wooden interfloor ceilings do not have these disadvantages - they are durable and “adjust” to any configuration of the house. Given the light weight of the beams, there will not be a strong load on the walls. This is why experienced builders often choose wooden floors when building a house based on aerated concrete.
How to calculate the dimensions of a wooden floor?
In order for a house made of aerated concrete to last for many years, it is important to correctly calculate the interfloor or attic structures, because they will serve as the floor for the upper floors. The builder needs to know what maximum length and cross-section to buy beams.
Here is a summary table from which, taking into account the length of the span and the pitch of installing the logs, you can determine the cross-section:
| Span length, m | Installation step, cm | |
| 60 | 100 | |
| Beam cross-section, mm | ||
| 7 | 150x300 | 200x275 |
| 6,5 | 150x250 | 200x250 |
| 6 | 150x225 | 175x250 |
| 5,5 | 150x200 | 150x250 |
| 5 | 125x200 | 150x225 |
| 4,5 | 100x200 | 150x200 |
| 4 | 100x200 | 125x200 |
| 3 | 75x200 | 100x175 |
| 2,5 | 75x150 | 100x150 |
| 2 | 75x100 | 75x150 |
Let's assume that a house is being built from an aerated block with a span of 5 m, and the beams are installed in increments of 1 m. Check the table - you will need timber with a section of 150x225 mm. When making further calculations, keep in mind that the boards will extend into the aerated concrete wall by at least 15 cm. Therefore, the maximum length of the floor is set as follows: 5 + 0.15 + 0.15 = 5.3 m.
Calculate so that the cross-section of the lumber provides a deflection of no more than 1/300 of the size of the floor span. It is advisable that the length of the wooden beams does not exceed 6 m - the structure may not withstand the loads. The exact amount of lumber that needs to be prepared is calculated based on the surface area.
How to install a wooden floor in a house made of aerated concrete with your own hands?
Once the dimensions of the floors have been calculated, you can purchase all the materials necessary for installation. The interfloor structure consists of lower support beams, covered with heat and sound insulation, and counter-battens fixed on top. Experienced builders choose laminated veneer lumber, edged boards or ready-made I-beams as lumber. Metal elements can also be used.
The main feature is that the wooden floors for floors in a house made of aerated concrete will be supported by a support made of reinforced concrete reinforcing belt mounted along the entire perimeter of the building. To make it, U-blocks are taken - this is where wooden beams will be placed in the future.
Before installing interfloor structures, lumber is treated with antifungal agents. Here you can use any of the commercially available formulations. The exception is oil-based solutions. Such substances will prevent the evaporation of moisture from the wood, which will make a house made of aerated concrete less durable and reliable.
It would not be superfluous to treat the beams with substances that increase fire resistance, since wood is flammable. Modern compositions can significantly reduce the risk of fire - in the event of a fire, the floor or roof will not collapse within several hours. If an interfloor wooden floor is installed over metal beams, then the steel elements must be treated with anti-corrosion agents.
Wait until the compounds applied to individual parts of the structure dry. And when the preparatory work is completed, you can install interfloor wooden floors:
1. The ends of the beams, which will later be attached to the aerated concrete wall, are first sawed at an angle of 60°, and then wrapped in roofing material. This will prevent the bars from fraying. Leave the cut areas uncovered - the wood should “breathe”.
2. The aerated concrete block must not be allowed to come into close contact with the end of the beam - this can lead to rotting of the beam. Therefore, leave a gap in this place - at least 5 cm. Lay a thin layer of thermal insulation here - mineral wool.
3. First, the outer beams are installed. Using the same spacing, attach the intermediate wooden boards. Check how evenly the beams lie using the building level.
4. Beam floors are attached to the reinforcing belt with metal corners, plates or studs coated with an anti-corrosion compound.
5. Now you can begin installing the reel. It is made on the basis of boards or beams, which are attached to the lower parts of the beams.
6. The roll-up should be insulated. Thermal insulation layer is at least 10 cm.
7. Wooden beams for the ceiling are covered with logs on top. After this, you can begin installing the floor of the upper floor. If in the future it is planned to cover it with linoleum, laminate or parquet, then chipboard or plywood is additionally laid on the logs to level the surface.
8. The bottom of the floors with wooden load-bearing elements is sheathed with clapboard or plasterboard. You can choose other options - it all depends on the planned decorative finishing of the ceiling on the lower floor.
The basement structure is mounted using the same technology as the interfloor structure. But in this case it is important for the builder to take into account some features:
- To protect the aerated concrete block and beams (in case of high humidity on the lower floors), provide waterproofing. It fits under the insulation.
- If the rooms below are not heated (pantry or basement), provide a thicker layer of heat insulation - up to 20 cm. To protect the blocks from condensation, lay a vapor barrier on top of the insulation.
The attic floor differs from other types of structures in that at the end of the work there is no need to install a floor - it is enough to install ladders-bridges along the beams. The insulation layer in the space between the beams is 15-20 cm. Since there will be no large loads on the elements, it is realistic to do without a reinforcing belt. The exception is when the attic on the upper floors will be used as a living room.