- Thread starter Jblakes
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Personally I would, but these were always functional not aesthetic - looks like a service room originally, so likely limewashed as per the walls which still seem to have traces.
Shame the floorboards above are now so much more recent.
Easiest option, limewash the lot and it will tie it together. If you choose to leave the oak joists as is, give them a brush, nothing more, then I’d attach batons along the edges of the joists and screw wood wool boards up to plaster and hide the underside of the pine floorboards. if you’re feeling masochistic you could do the same, but lath instead of board before plastering!
Obviously boarding allows the cables to be tidied and hidden. If not, you could safely clip them along the joists if feasible and they’ll become less obvious.
Depending on what is above and if minimal temperature/sound improvement is needed, add wood fibre batts or proper sheepswool in the void of the baton depth. Just don’t use Thermafleece unless you fancy a colony of pet moths…
Shame the floorboards above are now so much more recent.
Easiest option, limewash the lot and it will tie it together. If you choose to leave the oak joists as is, give them a brush, nothing more, then I’d attach batons along the edges of the joists and screw wood wool boards up to plaster and hide the underside of the pine floorboards. if you’re feeling masochistic you could do the same, but lath instead of board before plastering!
Obviously boarding allows the cables to be tidied and hidden. If not, you could safely clip them along the joists if feasible and they’ll become less obvious.
Depending on what is above and if minimal temperature/sound improvement is needed, add wood fibre batts or proper sheepswool in the void of the baton depth. Just don’t use Thermafleece unless you fancy a colony of pet moths…
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You say there a bathroom above so presumably theres a bath, basin and WC? Is there also a shower tray of some sort? Also, how is the exposed floor covered if at all?
My first concern would be the continuing risk of water leaks due to the obvious causes plus of course those such as weaknesses in the metal plumbing components. Condensation would also be a source of moisture accumulation particularly around the WC bowl and this latter is a common cause of wood rot and woodworm infestation beneath porcelain components resting on the boards. The joist timbers themselves look to be in good condition as do the floorboards above but some of those also seem to have cupped slightly. A further concern would be that the upper face of the joists and their interface to the boards above is where moisture can be trapped to induce later problems.
The overriding issue to my mind though is that there may be too little space available to support effective airflow beneath the floorboards and above any insulating materials you may choose to use and on balance I would suggest that your best strategy would be to leave the timbers exposed. Also, by boarding over the joists you run the risk of hiding future water leak problems that you might otherwise spot very quickly.
My first concern would be the continuing risk of water leaks due to the obvious causes plus of course those such as weaknesses in the metal plumbing components. Condensation would also be a source of moisture accumulation particularly around the WC bowl and this latter is a common cause of wood rot and woodworm infestation beneath porcelain components resting on the boards. The joist timbers themselves look to be in good condition as do the floorboards above but some of those also seem to have cupped slightly. A further concern would be that the upper face of the joists and their interface to the boards above is where moisture can be trapped to induce later problems.
The overriding issue to my mind though is that there may be too little space available to support effective airflow beneath the floorboards and above any insulating materials you may choose to use and on balance I would suggest that your best strategy would be to leave the timbers exposed. Also, by boarding over the joists you run the risk of hiding future water leak problems that you might otherwise spot very quickly.
Hi,
yes we have a WC, basin and bath, we will be installing a shower basically above where the picture is taken.
Do you actually put insulation between house floors, or pointless? i've looked an i can put 15mm wood wool boards and leave a 30mm gap, with having sufficient depth of the beams exposed.
regards
James
yes we have a WC, basin and bath, we will be installing a shower basically above where the picture is taken.
Do you actually put insulation between house floors, or pointless? i've looked an i can put 15mm wood wool boards and leave a 30mm gap, with having sufficient depth of the beams exposed.
regards
James
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Hi James,
You don't say whether theres any kind of covering over the floorboards in the bathroom. I asked because anything that may resist water spills or leaks would also operate to trap moisture below it and directly in contact with the boards below. This too can lead to decay problems in the boards and beams.
A secondary worry is that power supply cable that appears to run over the top of one of the beams/joists. Presumably theres some kind of partition directly above in which that cable is routed to an outlet on a wall or ceiling but the concern it raises is that the cable could become chafed by movement of the floorboards and may present a fire or short circuit risk.
What is the utility room used for? Anything that may produce warm moisture laden air, such as a tumble dryer, could pose a risk to the beams and floorboards above.
Cheers,
Cubist
You don't say whether theres any kind of covering over the floorboards in the bathroom. I asked because anything that may resist water spills or leaks would also operate to trap moisture below it and directly in contact with the boards below. This too can lead to decay problems in the boards and beams.
A secondary worry is that power supply cable that appears to run over the top of one of the beams/joists. Presumably theres some kind of partition directly above in which that cable is routed to an outlet on a wall or ceiling but the concern it raises is that the cable could become chafed by movement of the floorboards and may present a fire or short circuit risk.
It's not essential in many instances but many people do it to either reduce noise levels or heat loss. As I understand it from others here WoodWool boards make an excellent base for a plaster coating and would provide a little insulation as well. However, that insulation gain would, in my opinion, be fairly minor. I would also be a little concerned that such boards may pose a risk insofar that that they might absorb a great deal of water before any leak from the bathroom becomes evident in the utility room.
What is the utility room used for? Anything that may produce warm moisture laden air, such as a tumble dryer, could pose a risk to the beams and floorboards above.
Cheers,
Cubist
the floor in the bathroom is currently just these floorboards, you can now see through the holes 
, i want to to leave it and chuck a small wool rug down, so that shouldn't be an issue, hopefully.
we are ripping out all the electrical cables seen above, they are to the outer wall of the utility and we are moving the sockets to the inner walls, so that won't be an issue. The utility will have a washer / dryer/ and soon to be downstairs toilet, so yes potential warm air kicking around
, i want to to leave it and chuck a small wool rug down, so that shouldn't be an issue, hopefully.we are ripping out all the electrical cables seen above, they are to the outer wall of the utility and we are moving the sockets to the inner walls, so that won't be an issue. The utility will have a washer / dryer/ and soon to be downstairs toilet, so yes potential warm air kicking around
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Provided the dryer is properly vented outdoors then it should not be a big problem.