How to avoid creaky and squeaky wooden floors
Creaky wooden floors

We often talk to visitors at exhibitions about the issue of noisy floors, usually the issue of squeaky wooden floors, whilst our systems are often used to provide the fire and acoustic separation in an apartment situation, it is creaks and squeaks in a traditional timber boarded 1st floor that self-builders are keen to avoid.

No matter how well built a chipboard, plywood or tongue and groove floorboard floor is installed, screwed and glued, it is a system that includes many joints and a medium (the wood) that will have a moisture content and will shrink as it dries out.  All the board systems have a limited spanning capability and therefore if a single joist develops some movement, there will be movement in the boards above leading to noise and that usually means a squeak or creak that is difficult to do anything about, not to mention that soft spot in the floor where the flex occurs.  Just a little annoyance that can take the edge off an otherwise extremely well finished house.

Our floor systems and typically the Lewis Deck for self-build projects, provide floors that end up being jointless for most projects, they also span much further than the joist centres that they are used with and therefore, even if a timber joist could move below, it is unlikely to as the deck will carry the loads to the joist either side and in most cases a number of joists either side.  This gives a very solid feel to the floor and removes the issue of creaky and squeaky wooden floors.

The Lewis Deck, with either a liquid screed or a concrete installed over the top is usually 50mm in depth, this can be reduced to 36mm if required and this suits some refurbishment projects where the extra height can be an issue.  We also have the Max4 system where build-up heights are at an absolute premium and can be installed at just 15mm.  These system thicknesses can also include underfloor heating pipes.

We are often also asked what happens if the services running within the floor zone need to be accessed to effect repairs, this is difficult with a concrete floor to go in from the top and the recommendation is to access them through the ceiling.  This advice also works for timber floors as to access through a timber floor board usually means cutting off the lips that hold them together and introduces further opportunities for movement and noise. We have all be in old houses where the plumber has added pipework for a central heating upgrade and there are those spots in the floor that flex and squeak because the boards have been cut to get to the space below.

The systems are also used to create floors for underfloor heating, wet-rooms and externally as balconies and terraces.  If you would like to discuss this further, please get in contact.

FAQs22

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  • Q

    What are the Lewis Deck sheet sizes?

    A

    Q: What sheet sizes are held in stock for delivery within a few days after order? A: We stock 2500mm and 1300mm sheets.  These are all 630mm wide and 16mm deep.  Deliveries are made via the pallet network directly to site.  The smaller sheets are aimed at small bathroom renovation projects and can be supplied in small numbers via TNT. 2.5* and 1.3m sheets allow for the 100mm overlap to occur over a joist, with joist centres being either 300mm, 400mm, 600mm, 800mm*, 1200mm and 2400mm*. (*2.5m sheet only) For larger projects we are able to produce bespoke sheet sizes if required, please get in contact to discuss other options for sheet sizes.

  • Q

    Why don't my Lewis sheets interlock like they do in the video?

    A

    Q: Why don't my sheets interlock like they do in the video? A: The sheets have two sides (one printed, one plain), the dovetails on either side are different widths, it is then necessary to alternate the sheets print up and then print down.

    Q

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    A

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How to avoid creaky and squeaky wooden floors