FRAMED FLOORING

AN EXPLANATION BY CRAIG WRIGHT

SOURCES: Google, 3604, BCITO 03/06, Scott Brown Youtube, stylecraft stairs.

INTRODUCTION

I am going to explain flooring. Some of the key aspects and some of the floors I have built.

PILES

One should check the plans and have profiles already set up, strings will then be run between profiles, lower profiles should be put in on the level of the footing. Spray paint can then be used to mark the holes, along a running measurement, the other option is to run a complete profile board and run strings along pile line, the most efficient way to reach a good depth is an auger post hole borer or an auger on a digger. Profile boards can then be run at 90 degrees to the perimeter and pegged down the post can be nailed and braced to this, posts should be 100 off the ground. And can be braced back to each other and to pegs in the ground. Once poured piles can be lasered and cut to height, a scarf cut should be used to allow water to run off. If low to the ground a DPC may have to be used.

PROCESS

A framed floor will start with BEARERS, these are fixed to piles, typically with plates and wire dogs, joins should be staggered and bows should be placed up and fixed down. Next JOISTS will run across the bearers. Joists should be cut to the length of string lines running between the two outside joists, marks should be on bearers at the prescribed centres. If connecting to another wall a stringer may have to be used. The hardware will be prescribed on plans and should include joist hangers and wire dogs.

For framed floors ventilation will have to be in place.

INSTALLING FLOORING

There are many types of flooring and decking, including:

Composite timber decking

Solid Timber

Tongue and groove

Reconstituted wood

Plywood

Fibre cement

Before installing one must check all hardware has been installed, rubbish has been removed, blocking has been installed, insulation is installed.

For sheet flooring, manufactured specs should be checked,

Usually joins will be staggered, fixings can be different for different products, sealants can be used.

Is it a diaphragm floor or a wet area?

Are there any penetrations?

What are the exposure factors and limits?

What are the finishing requirements?

INSTALLING TIMBER AND GROOVE STRIP FLOORING.

Usually installed on a substrate.

Start with a full length straight and true board.

If face nailing groove goes down, nails go into joists, drill pilot holes to avoid splits. Nails must be punched. Subsequent boards can be put in a few at a time and nailed later, floor clamps can be used.

If secret nailing: the tongue is exposed for nailing, nails go on angle and punched so groove can be used. Boards must be installed one by one. An offcut can be used to tap boards into groove.

Joins should be over joists if not on substrate and staggered.

The final board might have to be ripped.

INSTALLING DECKING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iSBTvV206c

Start with a straight and true board.

A 12m il gap should be used against the building

Pilot holes should be used for hardwood.

Spacers or wedges to allow for gap,

Allow for shrinkage.

Joins can be butt joined with small gaps or chamfered.

Blocks can be installed for extra joins

Subsequent boards should be laid out and tacked on a stringline or light chalk can be used to show the joist center for fixings.

Stainless screws may have to be used?

Board can be overhang and cut later for a straight line.

A barrier must be in place on a fall of 1 metre or more, gaps must not exceed 100mil.

SECOND STORY FLOORS.

Can sit on top of walls or attached to faces of all frames that extend.

Types of joists can be :

Solid

Engineered

Chord truss

Steel

Or composite timber

Joists may run opposite to bottoms storey

Allow for boundary joist

Ribbon boards and brackets might be used

Join over load bearing walls or support beam butt join or using flitch plates.

Solid block as per 3604 and allow for penetrations like a stairwell.

EXTERIOR STAIRS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CArhhrGWBsg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyD8-7GqZ4g

No description available.

Stair Calculator

https://www.stylecraftstairs.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Stair-Planning-Guide-for-New-Zealand-homeowners.pdf

https://www.stylecraftstairs.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Staircase-Terminology-Housed-vs-Cut-Stringer.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFkgqi7I3xE

STAIR BARRIERS

Like decks barriers must prevent a fall of 1m or more. Min height is 900 above treads. Spaces must not exceed 100mil. 150 is ok for the triangle at bottom of stair.