![12 things to know about floor structures](https://cdn.magzter.com/1509000563/1667470364/articles/ouQPNOQ9q1667556167595/12-THINGS-TO-KNOW-ABOUT-FLOOR-STRUCTURES.jpg)
Few things are as important in any homebuilding project as ensuring the ground under your feet is stable, level, and generally fit for purpose. Unless floor structures are carefully designed and built you could end up with uneven, sloping, or springy floors in need of expensive remedial work. So before finalizing your design it's worth taking a look at the main options for floor construction and how the choices you make can have an important impact on the rest of the build.
1 Relate floor construction to design early on
The positioning of the upper floors will dictate how much residual headroom you have in the rooms below. Therefore it's essential at the design stage to factor in the full depth of the floor structures - including boardings and coverings, ceilings, and plasterwork. It's equally important to calculate the finished surface height of ground floors once fully insulated and screeded with floor coverings in place. There can be additional challenges with extensions where floor levels need to be aligned so you don't end up with awkward steps between the main house and the new accommodation. Detailed section drawings are invaluable for assessing the available vertical space, bearing in mind that there may be planning restrictions on roof heights that can potentially constrain the dimensions of top-floor rooms.
Another factor that can easily get overlooked at the design stage is the need to accommodate pipework and ducting for ventilation, heating, and hot water systems within new floors.
2 Building Regs compliance
Esta historia es de la edición December 2022 de Homebuilding & Renovating.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2022 de Homebuilding & Renovating.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![WHY I CHOSE...TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/HVGaVM8OS1690365129807/WHY-I-CHOSETO-HIRE-AN-INTERIOR-DESIGNER.jpg)
WHY I CHOSE...TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
Hiring a professional to help in an area you're not confident with can be invaluable. Ben Adam-Smith did just that by employing an interior designer to inject character into his and his wife Kay's self-build
![HOW TO PREVENT YOUR HOME OVERHEATING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/hX14NFRVF1690364169583/HOW-TO-PREVENT-YOUR-HOME-OVERHEATING.jpg)
HOW TO PREVENT YOUR HOME OVERHEATING
With UK summers getting hotter, what steps can be taken to prevent overheating in homes? We outline what you can do to have a comfortable property all year round
![Multifunctional home office](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/bQF1NRgYn1690363801834/MULTIFUNCTIONAL-HOME-OFFICE.jpg)
Multifunctional home office
How to create a hybrid space that's suitable for both work and home life
![Build a new garage for less](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/5KDvQf5qT1690363297353/BUILD-A-NEW-GARAGE-FOR-LESS.jpg)
Build a new garage for less
Taking on a self-build or renovation project? Then factor in a garage from the beginning you can benefit from economies of scale and efficiency tactics, says Tim Phillips
![The golden rules of house design](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/e0bkx8WUk1690362548667/THE-GOLDEN-RULES-OF-HOUSE-DESIGN.jpg)
The golden rules of house design
Designing a house is hugely exciting, but knowing where to start can also feel daunting. With the help of some top architectural experts, we bring you the golden rules that will ensure you create the home of your dreams
![THE HEALTHY HOME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/bGny7OvYU1690362181629/THE-HEALTHY-HOME.jpg)
THE HEALTHY HOME
PART THREE: BOOSTING BIODIVERSITY IN OUR HOMES
![Victorian overhauls](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/-vVfv5HqF1690361443158/VICTORIAN-OVERHAULS.jpg)
Victorian overhauls
A carefully conceived extension could be the key to unlocking the potential of your period property without compromising its character. Let our selection of innovative schemes be your inspiration...
![Bird's eve view](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/loPicgK-V1690360761899/BIRDS-EVE-VIEW.jpg)
Bird's eve view
Peter and Romney Lelliott opted for an upside-down new build, enabling them to enjoy far-reaching country views from the elevated living space of their contemporary new home
![A collage to treasure](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/EsAcQt8Zp1690358184836/A-COLLAGE-TO-TREASURE.jpg)
A collage to treasure
Kirstin Eriksson has transformed her Cotswold property by taking it from a neglected cottage to a perfect family home packed full of clever design ideas
![Hidden, paradise](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/16135/1366590/cGwHImDb51690357484190/HIDDEN-PARADISE.jpg)
Hidden, paradise
With hard work and a lot of initiative, Minnie and James Vosper lovingly brought their run-down home into the 21st century