DIY Sites

[burnt]

Now don't get me wrong...I'm not a DIY 'enthusiast' or anything, but as time ticks on I quite like dabbling at the odd project.

So, to the point: I need to lay a suspended floor. I'm pretty sure it's as simple as I imagine, but are there any websites with nice simple illustrations on how to do these things?

Thanks.

[chrisgr31]

burnt said:

Now don't get me wrong...I'm not a DIY 'enthusiast' or anything, but as time ticks on I quite like dabbling at the odd project. So, to the point: I need to lay a suspended floor. I'm pretty sure it's as simple as I imagine, but are there any websites with nice simple illustrations on how to do these things? Thanks.

First place I always try is B and Qs site at www.diy.com. They have advice on most projects buried on there somewhere. Can always try going to the store as well and looking at the instore leaflets.

[Antwerpman]

you can usually get some good advice at www.diynot.com

[jimothy]

B&Q do a good book on DIY, with how to do most things and it's all based on stuff you can buy from them (unlike other books that tell you to use stuff you can't find for love nor money).

[tuscan30]

There's a forum on the Screwfix site that offers good advice. It seems to be populated by tradesmen swapping tips and expertise.
talkscrewfix.com is the site, and it's split up into the various trades for ease of browsing.
Enjoy.

[burnt]

Thanks all, went out and bought the Collins Complete DIY book at lunch.

Seems to contain everything I need.....imagine that a book, what good is the internet for?

[glocko]

Antwerpman said:

you can usually get some good advice at www.diynot.com

Yes, diynot is a personal fave, alternatively try www.askthetrades.co.uk or www.readersheds.co.uk

[wedge girl]

This any good?

www.wirsbo.co.uk/pdf/Fact%20Sheet%2003%20July%2002.pdf

[Incorrigible]

I've done the odd bit of DIY in my time, and yes most of it is quite straight forward

There are tips and tricks of course

What sort of suspended floor are you laying ?? solid wood planks or sheets, and if they're planks are they straight cut or T&G

And what are you laying them on ??

[burnt]

My garage is quite longand attached to the house. I want to make a room at the back where I can lock the kids up....apologies...a play room.

I need to bring the floor up to the same height as the house.

I will be using T&G sheets for the floor.

[Incorrigible]

By sheets do you mean floor boards (8'x4') or planks

And then how are you going to finish it, leave it as planks or carpet

The height raising should be easy enough (how high are you raising it, and how wide is the shortest dimension)

[burnt]

The room will be about 7' x 11'

The floor will be those big boards, yes 8' x 4' then carpeted.

Raised up by about 8"

Stud partition wall to separate from the garage, a bit of insulation.

Thanks.

[Incorrigible]

8" easy, any more and I'd say use 150x50 timber and support it off a wall plate and joist hangers

but get 200x50 and just lay them on the floor (you'll need to fix the 4 corners of course)

Lay these joists @ 300 centres (300mm from the leading edge of the first to the leading edge of the second) across the 7' side (12 pieces)

Bung some insulation down (foil backed 100mm celoxtex is easy to work with, worth that bit extra @ £20 a sheet, not essential) bung the floor down (joints will be on the joists if the joists are layed right)

[Incorrigible]

Forgot to say, partition wall, 100x50 timber, do the floor plate and the ceiling plate than build the studwork in situ, again ues 300 centres so that the plasterboard will fit easily

I'd use 2 layers of plaster board (12.5 mm) with stagered joints, certainly on the "inside" possibly not the garage side

[burnt]

Thanks Ben,

If it were more than 8" then is it as simple as screwing the timber to the wall and hanging joist supports off, then same again 300 gaps lengthways?

Anybody else reading this...then I apologise unless you are learning something too.

New forum Ted?

[Incorrigible]

burnt said:

If it were more than 8" then is it as simple as screwing the timber to the wall and hanging joist supports off, then same again 300 gaps lengthways?

Yep

It's easier I've found, to attach the hangers first to the wall plate

And the other side (the bit that's halfway down the garage) would best be laid in brick (otherwise you have to make up a heavy duty trimming joist to hang the other shorter ones off)

If you don't want to do that it might be best to run the joist allong the 11' section as you already have brick at each end of that to attach too >>edit the trouble with that is you have a joint in the baord that isn't supported

Another solution would be to have a step down into the room and lay a solid floor directly on the concrete, use 1200 gauge polythene 100mm celotex, more polythene and then at least a 65mm concrete screed. You can lay the underlay and carpet directly on that

>> Edited by Incorrigible on Wednesday 4th May 15:56