DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I currently have a contractor rebuilding an old substandard extension to up-to-date regulations. My wife has got her heart set on having real reclaimed floor boards. The new floor build up is proposed to be concrete with a screed finish, with the obvious DPM and insulation below.
I have talked to a few old friends that, (like myself )have been in the construction industry for many years. I want to fix 50mm battens into the 70mm screed so that the battens are approx 5-8mm proud of the screed surface. Then I want to fix the real floor boards to these battens much like fixing floorboards to joists. This would give the floor a small degree of flex when walking on them, much like the real thing.
My builder thinks that my building inspector will dismiss this idea as there would be a small air gap between screed and underside of boards that must have ventilation. I had mentioned laying a felt underlay and even another DPM over the battened floor prior to fixing the boards.
Apart from fitting laminated or solid wood flooring which often have small gaps underneath them once installed, has anyone got solid knowledge or evidence that my idea is unworkable, in breach of regulations or just plane crazy?
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your responses.
miketherock.

You should not require insulation because what you are proposing is on the warm side of the new floor insulation. By providing ventilation to this floor you will be ventilating on the warm side of the insulation and thus rendering the insulation ineffective.

hth

If i am reading this right??? You will of had something like a hard core infill with a thick layer of sand then a DPM with 70-100mm celotex insulation on top of this. If you are now going to lay the concrete on this & sink the 50mm battens into this layer of concrete i would advise not as you will weaken the floor quite a bit with only leaving a 20mm thick layer of concrete in a lot of areas. This wont be strong enough.

That makes sense. Thank you.
So my original plan is sound? Battens in the screed just proud of the screed level and fix the reclaimed floorboards directly to the battens.

Why not install a fully floating floor?
T&G glued together.

Flooring play important role to decor your home beautifully and attractive. I think that you have to take advice from any expert of flooring worker.

you dont need 50mm thick battens use 50mm x 25mm thick battens and nail galvanised nails in each side for the screed to grip the battens,lay at 400mm centres I would also add a vapour barrier on the entire floor to prevent any moisture before fixing the floorboards