Implications of Floor Boards on the Ground Floor

[cod man]

We're in the early stages of buying a property which is a bit older than properties we've owned in the past and therefore it has wooden floorboards on the ground floor rather than the slab of concrete we've been used to. I just wondered what the implications of this were and is there anything to watch out for?

Any theories gratefully received

[Dogwatch]

If the house has been cheaply built the floor will be very 'bouncy' (as will an upstairs floor) as the joists are too far apart.

Check that the airbricks on the outside wall are all unobstructed.

Certainly wouldn't bother me in a house I was buying - like my last one.

[JR]

Easier to run services, eg speaker wires.

[Boosted LS1]

My house is over 100 years old and it's got wooden floor boards. Nothing wrong with them. As said above, they need ventilation so make sure the vents are clear.

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Monday 20th September 08:07

[mgtony]

Splinters

[bga]

As others have said, it's important that there is adequate ventilation. If you do have good ventilation then you may find that it can get a bit draughty between the gaps in the boards (happened when the wind was blowing in a certain direction in my old house).

Where repairs have happened you can sometimes get boards that end between joists and have nothing to attach too. These will be bouncy and can sometimes break if you have a lot of weight on one of the ends (e.g. the foot of a sofa). If you lay carpet over them it's well worth spending a lot of time to make sure all the boards are properly attached. It's a real pain if one of the boards gets loose and it's in the middle of a carpeted room.

[Laurel Green]

As long as the timber is sound there should be nothing to worry about. Check for active beetle infestation and any sign of wet/dry rot. Other than that; a well constructed wooden floor is better than a concrete slab. Warmer and more comfortable on ones feet and, as said above; a lot easier to run service pipes/cables etc.

[Simpo Two]

My parents borrowed a small terrier to run cables under the floor from end of their house to the other!

[Busamav]

Simpo Two said:

My parents borrowed a small terrier to run cables under the floor from end of their house to the other!

Love it


OP , if the floor is not insulated , consider doing that before anything else , the wind can whistle through floor voids .

[cod man]

Thanks for all your replies! We'll check for air bricks next time we're round and suss out the insulation situation.