13+Advantages and Disadvantages of Beam and Block Flooring | Uses and Applications of Beam and Block
What is Beam and Block Flooring? | Advantages and Disadvantages of Beam and Block Flooring | Beam and Block Flooring Benefits |Uses and Applications of Beam and Block Concrete Flooring
What is Beam and Block Flooring?
Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is a common way of making a concrete slab floor. Beam and block concrete flooring is a type of floor that has been in use since the 1990s. It is made up of concrete blocks that are laid out in a pattern, with beams to support the structure.
Beam and block concrete flooring is a type of versatile, durable, attractive and long-lasting flooring that can be used in both residential and commercial settings.
Beam and block concrete flooring is composed of two parts: a structural steel beam with precast panels on either side.
It is made by placing concrete into a steel form with a series of pre-cut holes in them. The holes are filled with concrete and then leveled with a trowel for the best look. You can then place blocks of concrete on the form to create a level surface.
Beam and block concrete flooring is a flooring material that provides a stylish and versatile alternative to traditional flooring.
It is made with reinforced concrete blocks which are then sealed with a smooth finish. This type of flooring has been around for decades but it has recently become more popular among homeowners because of the many design options available.
Flooring can be broadly classified into two categories – Beam and Block Flooring. The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. It is made by cutting hardwood boards across the grain, called “beams,” to create the planks that are nailed together into the floor.
Block floorings are composed of rectangular units or blocks that are set in mortar or adhesives to create straight lines.
Beam and Block Flooring
Flooring can be broadly classified into two categories – Beam and Block Flooring.
- The Beam Flooring is a prefabricated flooring system that is available in various sizes and thicknesses. It is made from prestressed concrete, called “beams,” to create the support that are placed together into the floor frame
- Block floorings are composed of rectangular units or blocks that are set in mortar or adhesives to create a concrete floor.
Beam and Block Flooring Benefits
Beam and Block flooring come with a long list of benefits. They are durable, have excellent soundproofing capabilities, and can be used for both residential and commercial spaces. Beam floors can also last for a lifetime with minimal maintenance.
Beam flooring is perfect for homeowners who want to create a traditional look in their home without the high costs of hardwood floors.
The beams come in different shapes, lengths and sizes so there are plenty of options to choose from.
Block flooring provides an industrial chic look that is perfect for commercial spaces such as restaurants or retail shops.
It’s durable enough to withstand the heavy traffic and it doesn’t have any problems with sound transmission which makes it perfect for open concept offices or busy restaurants.
Uses and Applications of Beam and Block Concrete Flooring
Beam and Block Concrete Flooring are used in;
1. Suspended floors
Suspended floor are floors with a beam or block infill that is above the floor and below the ceiling.
2. Load bearing loads and beams
Load bearing beams are used to support loads such as things like staircases and cantilevers (this includes columns, wall or floor structures). Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is considered one of the more suitable types of infill due to its ability to absorb large amounts of shock before it causes problems with supporting the beam.
3. Sound absorbing rooms
The high amount of concrete used in Beam and Block Concrete Floors gives it excellent sound absorption properties due to its mass. This means that it can be used to create soundproof rooms within buildings.
4. Industrial flooring
Due to its strength, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring can be used in factories for industrial flooring. The blocks are designed to protect the floor against impact, wearing due to heavy machinery and environment damage which is much better than most other flooring types.
5. Commercial flooring
Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is also used in commercial buildings due to its high strength and durability levels.
The ability to reuse the concrete makes it a much better option financially than similar products such as timber flooring.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Beam and Block Flooring
Advantages of Beam and Block Flooring
1. Beam and block flooring are durable
Beam and block flooring is one of the longest-lasting, most durable types of flooring. Beam and block flooring is made from a type of concrete that has been reinforced with steel beams.
Though it is a versatile product, it has some advantages as well. The precast elements used in its production make it more durable than other types of concrete flooring, like poured concrete or high-performance floors.
2. Beam and block flooring is flexible
Beam and block flooring is relatively easy to transport, making it an ideal choice for construction projects that are spread out over a large area.
A beam and block floor can simply be lifted up with a crane and transported in one piece to the intended location.
3. It’s eco-friendly
Environmentalists are becoming more aware of the materials that they’re using in construction projects. With the growing interest in green building, many home and businesses owners are shying away from using materials such as wood that come from endangered forests.
As a result, materials such as beam and block flooring that are made from recycled wood is becoming more popular.
4. It can be used for both commercial and residential purposes
Beam and block flooring can be used in both commercial and residential buildings. A beam and block floor can easily be installed without causing any major disruptions to the surrounding environment.
This is especially useful in infrastructural projects such as bridges, tunnels and hospitals.
5. Beam and block flooring are lightweight
Beam and block flooring mainly come in two types – concrete beams and precast boards. It is therefore very easy to transport Beam and Block Concrete Flooring, making it a suitable flooring choice for those who have jobs that require frequent shifting from one site to another.
6. Eliminate structural risks
With Beam and block flooring, building above the ground overcomes these problems, as well as eliminating the risk of slab failure through clay heave or settlement of fill, problems mostly associated with a poured concrete floor.
7. Quick to construct
A beam and block floor structure can be erected in just a few days. Once the beams are in place, you can install ready-made products that fit in the interlocking grooves of the beams.
This fast construction makes Beam and Block Concrete Flooring a popular choice for homeowners or business owners who are looking to save on time and money.
8. It’s cost effective
The cost of Beam and block flooring is relatively affordable when compared to other types of concrete flooring or timber floors.
9. Fast, cheap and simple to install
Concrete floors are a relatively expensive way to level the floor and provide adequate stability for buildings.
Because of this, beam and block concrete flooring are a popular choice for those who want to cut costs while still maintaining good architectural look.
10. It’s tough
The tough nature of beam and block is what can make it an excellent choice as a flooring material in commercial or residential settings.
11. Block and beam floors eliminate formwork
Suspended block and beam floors are able to save the time wasted in forming concrete slabs. The strength of the beams significantly reduces the need for formwork, which can make installation faster and easier.
12. The design options are endless
There is a wide range of designs available when it comes to Beam and Block Flooring, ranging from patterned to monochromatic, old world, modern and contemporary styles.
13. Easy to remove and reinstall
Beam and block flooring can be removed without causing any damage to the flooring underneath. Fixtures that are used in beam flooring are also easily removed, which allows for easy removal without causing any major damage to the floor below it.
14. Suitable to host underfloor heating systems
Because Beam and block flooring are made of hollow blocks, heating systems can be easily installed.
Beam and block concrete flooring is highly flexible which makes it a popular choice as an underfloor heating system for homes with high ceilings or low rooms where there are high amounts of natural light up to floors that do not have adequate headroom.
15. Can be laid in any weather
Beam and block concrete flooring can be laid in any weather. This includes heavy snowfalls, hail storms, strong winds and prolonged rain. It can also withstand fire and earthquakes that strike the building.
16. Can make use of unskilled labour
Because it is a prefabricated product, Beam and block concrete flooring has no joints to adjust or work on so it is relatively easy to install. The right tools can be used to install this type of flooring as it does not require complex skills for installation.
17. Economical due to the off-site manufacture of beams and blocks
18. Can be used for suspended ground and upper floors
The properties of beam and block make it a suitable material for use for suspended ground and upper floors settings. You can also have it installed for both commercial and residential purposes.
19. Easy to maintain and Maintain without a falling apart sound
Beam and block concrete flooring has been used for decades in both commercial and residential buildings because of its environmental benefits, durability and versatility.
16. It can support a wide variety of uses
Beam and block floors can be used both indoors and outdoors, making it suitable for a wide range of construction needs.
Disadvantages of Beam and Block Flooring
1. Requires machinery to lift heavy beams
Because they are manufactured offsite, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires heavy lifting equipment to be used to move the beams onto the site.
This process can be dangerous due to a lack of training for handling heavy beams; therefore, it is highly advised that someone who has experience in this field should be used.
2. The floor infills are susceptible to cracking
Because beams and blocks are made out of concrete, they have a tendency to crack over time which can cause the floor underneath them to fall apart. Therefore, a reinforced floor finish is highly advised.
3. The beams will wear away over time
The strength of a wooden beam is built into it and cannot be seen, but Beam and Block concrete floors have the same strength built in. As they have the same strength, they will wear away over time just like any other concrete floors.
4. Unsuitable for irregular shapes
Beam and Block Concrete floors are unsuitable for irregular shapes because they can only be laid out in a straight pattern.
5. Can be expensive
As the beams are pre-fabricated and off-site manufactured, they can be expensive to purchase when weighed against similar concrete slab materials.
6. Can be time consuming
The length of time needed for Beam and Block Concrete Flooring to cure depends on numerous factors, including weather, temperature and humidity levels and the moisture absorbency of the environment in which it is placed. This can cause the floor to take a long time to cure which means more money spent on labor costs.
7. The beams are very heavy
Due to the nature of the product, Beam and Block Concrete Flooring is very heavy when compared to other similar slab products.
This makes it difficult for light vehicles to move them around. For this reason, a specialized lifting equipment should be used for transport of Beam and Block Concrete Floors.
8. The material requires a lot of prep time
Because Beam and Block Concrete Floors are manufactured offsite, you need to consider the time needed to transport them to their final destination.
Also, once they are onsite, you will need to allow them time to cure which can take up to a few weeks to complete.
9. It can be damaging to the structural integrity of the building
Because it is very heavy, Beam and Block Concrete Floors can damage buildings if not put in place properly or not supported properly. This can be very expensive to do in the future.
10. Difficult to re-grade if necessary
Due to the nature of Beam and Block Concrete Floors, it may be difficult to re-grade it in the future if it is decided that there is a need for this.
It is also difficult and too expensive for the original contractor to carry out this process.
13. Stability of the beam and block floor depends on the mortar used in between them
Beam and Block Concrete Flooring requires a good mortar between the blocks so that they can be stable enough to walk on it.
However, this is easily one of the most difficult aspects of Beam and Block Concrete Floors as well due to its hardness.
