Timber Floor Construction

What this topic covers

This module covers the classification, design, materials, damp-proofing, ventilation, support, tools, strutting, and finishing methods for timber floors. Students will explain and classify the purpose of floors, differentiating between ground and upper floors, and categorizing upper floors into single, double, and framed types, along with their applications. The module requires sketching line diagrams of various floor types and describing their applications. It delves into floor joists, explaining their function and determining their sizes through calculation. Students will learn to select suitable Nigerian timbers for floor construction and design using line diagrams. The purposes, methods, and applications of damp-proofing and ventilation in suspended ground floor construction are also covered. Methods of supporting joists in floors and platforms are discussed, alongside the identification of various hand and power tools used in floor construction, and the practical skill of laying floor joists. The module explains the purposes of strutting in upper floors, describing common types of strutting, fixing methods, and trimming floor openings. Finally, it describes various types of sub-floors, their differences, and two methods of laying tongue-and-groove sub-floors. This comprehensive module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the complete process of timber floor construction, from initial design and material selection to practical installation and finishing, while also integrating preservation techniques against wood-destroying agents. It also includes the vital aspect of costing for typical flooring projects.