weight limit, floating floor with celotex

[andywoodstick]

Hiya folks

im raising the floor in my garage, partitioning it to use as an office. Im looking at ways of raising the floor and insulating it. I have two options:

• build a timber frame and insulate between the joists with celotex, keeping them raised off the concrete floor (which i will paint with some damp proof membrane). However im concerned with ventilation, not sure how to combat this, dont really want to be knocking brick to the outside if i can help it.
• build a floating floor, 100mm celotex and then 22mm chipboard over the top of it, then flooring on top

Id prefer to do the FF as it seems easier, quicker. But, on the otherside of the new room im going to put an exercise bike (55kg) which be in place permanently, and of course will have me on top of it (85kg).
Will the FF option be strong enough to hold the weight of the bike and me over the years?

thanks people

andy

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes

 

[andywoodstick]

good news, thanks

 

[paulandfrodo]

More than strong enough. Essentially that celotex stuff is what you would lay a slab ontop of - so 100mm thick concrete over the whole area. As such, no problems with what your putting onto it. Just make sure that the floor that your putting the celotex on does not have any muck on it or snots of cement / concrete, as the celotex might not absorb the raised level and will leave perhaps a corner of your floor sticking up a little - you know, 10mm or something. Which is all fine, until you put your skirting board on it !

 

[andywoodstick]

thanks for the pointer paul appreciate the reply

 

[cjard]

PIR insulatio a do vary quite a bit between manufacturers. Of all that I've used celotex is the one that would perhaps best absorb floor irregularities like protrusions because it crumbles more than other brands.. That's not to say it's no good for bearing a spread load.. It surely is. Just, as Paul says, lay your PIR board and walk over it checking for it rocking before laying your floor