Floors

Abstract

Floor construction is of paramount importance in regard to both the load-carrying capacity of floors, and in relation to the stability of the internal and external walls. Floor joists may provide essential ties for walls that might well not be adequate in themselves were they free-standing structures. For example, a 215 mm (one brick thick), free-standing boundary wall 6 metres (20 ft) high, would not be stable in itself (even assuming it had adequate foundations) whereas many houses at least 6 metres (20 ft) from ground level to eaves, with walls one brick thick, are still perfectly stable half a century later. This is because the cross-walls of a house, and the floor joists, coupled with the roof load, make for rigidity that does not exist with a free-standing wall.