This depth can vary depending on the job or terrain. Generally speaking, a floor slab or a driveway will be 100mm minimum basecourse and sand, and 100mm concrete.

Thereof What can suspended concrete floors be permanently supported by? Speedfloor combines a concrete slab with a rollformed galvanised steel joist for permanent structural support, using the properties of the concrete and the steel to their best advantage. The joist depth and the concrete thickness are varied depending on the span, imposed loads and other functional considerations.

How thick should a concrete path be NZ? Q How thick do I pour it? A: Residential driveway (used for light traffic) or path should have a thickness of at least 10cms to minimise the risk of shrinkage and cracking.

Similarly, How thick should a concrete driveway be NZ?

A minimum of 100 mm is recommended. Thickness is a major factor in determining the driveway’s structural capacity. Increasing your driveway’s thickness from 100mm to 125 mm will add to your concrete cost, but the additional 25mm of concrete will add almost 50% to the load carrying capacity of your driveway.

Do I need sand under concrete?

Just as every home needs a good foundation, your property’s concrete slab needs a good subbase to function properly. Contractors sometimes use sand as a subbase when pouring concrete, but it all depends on the slab’s function as well as your region’s climate.

Do suspended concrete floors need ventilation? Suspended timber floors should be well ventilated to reduce the risk of timber rot and musty smells. Ideally, there should be vents in the walls on either side of the floor to encourage cross-ventilation and minimise dead areas beneath the floor (Figure 1).

What are the advantages of a suspended floor?

Unlike standard ground floor construction, suspended floors are not sitting directly on the ground. This allows air flow and ventilation to prevent the mould and dry rot that would otherwise occur over damp ground. However this air flow can leave the problem of draughts and cold in the house if not insulated correctly.

Why do some houses have suspended floors? Suspended timber floors, which are typically found in older houses, are normally made from timber floorboards which are then attached to joists just above the foundations of a house. This creates a small gap and allows ventilation and air movement to prevent damp forming in the timber joists.

Do I need mesh in a concrete path?

No, they do not. Larger projects or slabs may need steel reinforcement to provide support or extra strength. Wired mesh can also help resist cracking. … Some locations require reinforcement no matter the size or scale of the concrete.

Can concrete be poured in the rain NZ? Concrete can still go down in the rain, in fact once the slab is freshly down a smattering of rain can make sure it doesn’t set too quick and crack. But putting blocks up in the rain, and then filling them with concrete isn’t ideal.

How thick should driveway concrete be? As for thickness, non-reinforced pavement four inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of five inches is recommended. To eliminate standing water, the driveway should be sloped towards the street a minimum of one percent, or 1/8 inch per foot, for proper drainage.

How much is 1m3 of concrete NZ? The concrete cost is calculated in three dimensions (per cubic meter) which is different from the square meter rates. Concrete suppliers in NZ supply costs of concrete start from approximately $300 per cubic meter while labor costs are run from $80 per hour.

Can I concrete my front yard NZ?

Generally, the rules for residential property stipulate that the house, sheds and decking cannot exceed 35 per cent of the land area and 25 per cent can be covered in paving and other impermeable surfaces like concrete driveways. … The rules vary with the zoning of the property.

Can you pour concrete on top of concrete NZ?

You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.

Do you need rebar for 4 inch slab? The thickness of rebar should be no more than 1/8 that of the slab, so a 4” slab shouldn’t have steel greater than #4 or 1/2″ bar. It’s best to check with a Structural Engineer if your slab will bridge or cantilever. What is this? For 4” concrete slabs used for driveways and patios, #3 rebar is common.

Can you pour concrete directly on dirt? Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.

Can I pour concrete over gravel?

Simply pouring concrete onto the ground will expose it to elemental erosion that will cause cracking and sinking. Similarly, if there are roots or plants under your slab, they may rot and cause unevenness. Pouring concrete over crushed stone, however, will eliminate these worries.

Why are there air bricks with a concrete floor? Why Do Some Homeowners Block The Vents? The air bricks create an airflow underneath the floor; this can lead to drafts that pass through the floorboards into the home. Due to rising energy prices and a desire by many to reduce heating bills, some people choose to block the vents.

What is the minimum gap below a suspended floor?

A minimum void of not less than 150mm should be provided below the underside of floor slabs and beams.

Should air bricks be above or below damp course? Air bricks may be located either above or below DPC level and where possible on all sides of the building. Ideally air bricks should be located at least 75 mm above hard and soft landscaped areas to reduce the risk of being obstructed or flooded (see diagram 1).

Can you insulate a suspended floor?

For most heritage properties, the most effective and appropriate way to insulate a suspended floor and improve its airtightness is to retrofit insulation beneath the floorboards, between the supporting joists (figure 2).

How are suspended floors constructed? Suspended Timber Ground Floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached to floor joists, which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation. These floor joists are raised above the subfloor on small supporting walls called tassel walls (or sleeper walls).

Is block and beam cheaper than slab?

Beam & block floors

While a simple concrete slab can be relatively cheap, it takes time to lay and dry out, so over the last few years, the beam and block suspended floor has become more prominent. It’s slightly more expensive, especially on relatively small jobs, but for speed and convenience it’s hard to beat.

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