How to Lay a Concrete Floor in an Extension

Sometimes you just need more space in your home, which is why you go for an extension. In doing so, you have the option of doing the task yourself or enlisting the services of a professional extension contractor. Your choice often depends on several factors such as your budget and the amount of work that needs to be done. Fortunately, you can lay a concrete floor in an extension quite effortlessly even if you are not an expert.

1. Building Regulations

Before laying a concrete floor by yourself or having it done by an extension specialist, research building regulations in your area. For instance, you might need to add a thick insulation slab either under or on top of the concrete, followed by a screed layer to conform to building regulations. While you have the option of omitting the screed layer, it is best to include it in your installation to get a perfect finish, especially if the area you are covering is relatively large.

2. Compact Layering

It is best to keep the hardcore wet to allow for better compaction. You can also add a layer of compacted sand to fill any voids in the base. Use a plywood board to step on because walking on the layer of sand may leave voids as well. After you are sure that your base is compact and free from voids, position the insulation sheets next. You may find that walking on the insulation sheets carefully will not cause major damage. Leave an overlap on the insulation sheet and use double-sided tape to hold it in place. After this, clean up any sand residue before sealing the end watertight.

• Learn about different types of earth-moving equipment so you are ready to prepare your land.
• Before you hire a contractor, the following questions are good to ask a builder before building an extension.

3. Insulation Sheet Position

To prevent cold bridging, put a sheet around the edges of your extension. You may be surprised that the sheet can easily be cut using a sharp blade. Position the sheets to fit snugly on your extension floor and use a levelling laser as necessary to verify the floor height and compare it with the other areas of your house. It will help to draw a line where the concrete should finish. While you can do this job yourself, it will still be better to have experts do it for you instead.

An extension is often necessary if you need more space in your home to accommodate your growing family, whether you are welcoming a new child or taking on a new pet. Other times, an extension needs to be done when you decide to build a home office to be able to work in the comfort of your own home. In doing so, keep in mind everything we have told you above. You can do it yourself, but you can always seek the help of professionals and focus more on easier tasks if you wish.