First, lay the FLOORMATE on a level surface: make sure you butt the boards tightly together. Then lay a 500 gauge polyethylene slip sheet over the FLOORMATE. Next, lay the chipboard: glue the tongue and groove with wood grade PVA adhesive. Leave a 10mm gap around the edge of the chipboard (to allow for thermal expansion) and seal it with a compressible filler.
Technical Information Questions
Floormate comes in 2500 x 600mm pieces.
Can I walk on FLOORMATE?
Yes. Floormate has a Design load (BS EN 1606) - 60 kN/m2. If you wish to use forklift trucks etc on Floormate, you will need to choose our Styrofoam SP-X product (Floormate 350X). Call us if you are unsure.
Where can I use FLOORMATE?
You can use FLOORMATE above or below ground bearing concrete slabs, in suspended beam and block floors and timber floors. You can also use it below rafted foundations, but not under the parts of the slab which will support load bearing walls.
How do I decide whether to put FLOORMATE above or below a ground bearing slab?
The position of the insulation depends upon when the building will be heated:
Where heating is intermittent, for example in houses, the building should heat up quickly, so put the FLOORMATE above the slab.
Where the heating is continuous, for example in hospitals, schools, factories and shops, the building should retain heat for long periods, so put the FLOORMATE below the slab.
When I put FLOORMATE under a concrete slab should it be above or below the DPM?
As FLOORMATE does not absorb water it can be used in either position – unlike some other insulants.
How do I stop thermal bridging at the edge of the slab?
You can either make sure the insulation in the cavity overlaps with FLOORMATE below the slab or line the perimeter of the slab with FLOORMATE.
What sort of damp proof membrane (DPM) can I use with FLOORMATE?
Check with the DPM manufacturer to see if it will be compatible. Polyethylene DPMs and RIW products are will be fine. Paint on DPMs such as Synthaprufe and RIW LAC will be OK once they have cured. Take care with bitumen-based DPMs, for example, FLOORMATE can be laid over Bituthene, but Bituthene should not be laid over FLOORMATE.
When do I need to use a vapour control layer (VCL) with FLOORMATE?
If the damp proof membrane (DPM) is underneath the slab you will need a VCL above the slab to protect the floor finish against moisture from the slab. The VCL will also help the concrete cure properly. If the DPM is above the slab there is no need to have a separate VCL.
If I cover FLOORMATE with a screed, how deep does the screed have to be, and do I need to separate the two?
The minimum depth of screed is 65mm for domestic projects and 75mm for others (see BS 8204: Code of practice for concrete wearing surfaces). You will need a separation layer between the FLOORMATE and the screed to stop the screed getting between the boards and to allow the two materials to expand and contract independently. You can use building paper or 500 gauge polyethylene sheet. If you lap and seal the joints of a polyethylene separating layer it will also act as a vapour control layer.
How deep should the screed be if it includes underfloor heating pipes?
The screed should be at least 75mm deep (see BS 8204: Code of practice for concrete wearing surfaces). The heating pipes should be at least 15mm above the FLOORMATE.
Do I need to put a damp proof membrane (DPM) in a suspended floor?
You will not need a DPM for a concrete floor at least 75mm above ground level or a timber floor at least 120mm above ground level. You will need a DPM if the space beneath the floor has been excavated below ground level and is poorly drained.
Can I lay FLOORMATE directly over timber joists?
No, the loading is too great over the joists: Overlay the joists with a chipboard or plywood deck before laying the FLOORMATE. Alternatively, fit FLOORMATE between or below the joists.
How much FLOORMATE will I need?
The thickness of insulation needed to meet building regulations depends upon the size and structure of the floor. To work out the thickness required for your project:
Measure the perimeter of the floor, P, in metres.
Calculate the area of the floor, A, in square metres.
Divide the perimeter by the area, to get the ratio P/A.
Use the table below to determine the thickness of FLOORMATE required for the value of P/A.
Use the coverage chart to work out how many packs of FLOORMATE you will need for that thickness.
Insulation thickness (mm) required for U-value 0.25W/m 2K
Ground bearing slab (FLOORMATE above or below slab with 65mm cement:, sand screed)
P/A
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
FLOORMATE (mm)
-
25
30
40
50
60
70
80
80
80
90
90
Suspended beam and block floor (FLOORMATE under 65mm cement:sand screed)
P/A
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
FLOORMATE (mm)
-
25
35
50
50
60
70
70
70
80
80
80
Suspended timber floor (FLOORMATE between 150 x 70mm timber joists at 600mm centres)
P/A
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
FLOORMATE (mm)
25
40
60
75
80
90
100
120
120
120
120
120
(all results calculated to BS 13370:1998 and BS EN 13164:2001)
