ᐅ Ceiling Construction on the Upper Floor – Concrete or Timber Beams?
Created on: 30 Aug 2020 11:30
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exto1791Hello everyone,
Our builder advised us to construct the ceiling above the upper floor as a concrete slab (we are building a town villa with a hipped roof). The space above the upper floor will not be used by us but will include a retractable staircase, so we can easily access it at any time. Styrofoam insulation is planned to be installed above the concrete slab.
What do you think of this approach compared to a wooden beam construction? Are there exclusively advantages (for example, thermal insulation), or is it better to avoid this?
Our builder advised us to construct the ceiling above the upper floor as a concrete slab (we are building a town villa with a hipped roof). The space above the upper floor will not be used by us but will include a retractable staircase, so we can easily access it at any time. Styrofoam insulation is planned to be installed above the concrete slab.
What do you think of this approach compared to a wooden beam construction? Are there exclusively advantages (for example, thermal insulation), or is it better to avoid this?
First, the concrete ceiling has implications for the upper floor, specifically the need for load-bearing walls. These, in turn, require either load-bearing walls beneath them or additional structural measures compared to the option of using lightweight partition walls on the upper floor. In a traditional neo-townhouse, also known as a substitute villa, a hip roof or pyramidal roof is usually built as a truss roof, primarily serving as a "lid." Your builder’s suggestion (I suspect the term “BT” is being misused here, as is common) indicates that in your case a rafter roof is planned. In that case, a concrete ceiling provides a better foundation for the classic roof structure typically used. The question of a cold or warm roof is only of secondary relevance here.
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How much extra does that cost?
For me, it would have been 13,xxx EUR, which is why I decided against it. One advantage would definitely be that you can store heavier items there. My studio binder roof currently has a load capacity of 80 kg/m² (16.4 lbs/ft²), meaning I technically shouldn’t even be walking on it, but it mainly concerns long-term load.
I suppose the sound insulation would also be better. Concrete alone doesn’t provide outstanding thermal insulation values, but it stores heat quite well, so without insulation it can actually be disadvantageous in summer. So insulation is definitely needed anyway, as your builder/contractor also mentioned.
So if they can do it at no extra cost or for a small additional fee, I would go for it, as it simply makes the use of the roof structure more flexible.
For me, it would have been 13,xxx EUR, which is why I decided against it. One advantage would definitely be that you can store heavier items there. My studio binder roof currently has a load capacity of 80 kg/m² (16.4 lbs/ft²), meaning I technically shouldn’t even be walking on it, but it mainly concerns long-term load.
I suppose the sound insulation would also be better. Concrete alone doesn’t provide outstanding thermal insulation values, but it stores heat quite well, so without insulation it can actually be disadvantageous in summer. So insulation is definitely needed anyway, as your builder/contractor also mentioned.
So if they can do it at no extra cost or for a small additional fee, I would go for it, as it simply makes the use of the roof structure more flexible.
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Alessandro31 Aug 2020 15:23We also have a concrete ceiling combined with a cold roof. Simply place polystyrene insulation on the ceiling, cover it with chipboard panels for walking on, and the storage space is ready.
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Zigenpeter8631 Aug 2020 16:03We also have a concrete ceiling with 20 cm (8 inches) of polystyrene insulation and a 5 cm (2 inches) protective screed layer on top.
According to the builder, this keeps the heat out better in summer than a wooden roof structure alone.
Another advantage is that the concrete fills every gap cleanly and does not require complex cutting. It is a neat solution, and the attic can be used well for storage.
According to the builder, this keeps the heat out better in summer than a wooden roof structure alone.
Another advantage is that the concrete fills every gap cleanly and does not require complex cutting. It is a neat solution, and the attic can be used well for storage.
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T_im_Norden31 Aug 2020 19:56If the price difference is not significant, I would choose concrete. It also results in less movement between the wall and ceiling compared to wood.
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