Laying bare the basics of my floor structure through an annotated diagram that a layman like me can better understand, the aim of this post is to answer the question…what are the component parts of a floor?

The diagram is based on the floor of the barn to the best of my recollection (it’s been a few years since the floor was put in). There’s a fair amount of leeway in terms of the order from bottom to top that the various components of the floor go into it. But the parts – hardcore, topped with a sand blinding, insulation & a damp proof membrane then the concrete slab and a final flooring finish are pretty standard.

Or view in 3D:

The diagram shows a basic floor structure with embedded damp-proofing and insulation. In certain parts of the UK (as at the barn), you’ll also need to ensure that the damp-proof membrane is also a radon barrier.

You can also download the anatomy of a floor Google Sketchup model. All angles and measurements are for purely illustrative purposes.

As should be blisteringly obvious, this is a purely amateur effort, so please let me know of any additions or corrections that you think I should make.

This is one in a series of posts about the anatomy of various parts of barns & buildings in general.