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Housing - Renovation: Solid floor or full fill EPS?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthoramin
    • CommentTimeAug 1st 2025
     
    I'm in the middle of renovating an Edwardian house and am looking for advice on floor insulation options.

    The house currently has a traditional timber suspended floor, which I initially planned to replace with a solid floor using foam glass aggregate. However, upon exposing the structure, I’ve found timber wall plates embedded in both the internal and external solid brick walls, supporting the joists above the slate DPC.

    If I go ahead with the solid floor, I’d need to remove these wall plates throughout. Has anyone done this before? Is it practical or more trouble than it’s worth?

    Alternatively, I’ve been pointed toward a full-fill EPS solution to insulate beneath the suspended floor. I have 250mm below the 100mm joists. Would this be viable given the embedded wall plates? I’m particularly concerned about the long-term risk of trapping moisture or causing rot at the joist ends or wall plates themselves.

    Interested in views from others who’ve dealt with this or have experience with either approach.

    Thanks!
      IMG_2846 Large.jpeg
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeAug 1st 2025
     
    I have taken out wall plates like that, generally the bricks above them are loose unless they are ‘headers’

    With lime mortar they would likely be good for another 100 years providing they are ventilated and not cement rendered or pointed outside.

    I like the idea of EPS fill
    • CommentAuthorMike1
    • CommentTimeAug 1st 2025
     
    I've also taken them out, but at first floor level(!).

    Progressively chopped them out in sections long enough to replace the timber with about 3 bricks, then slate pieces knocked into the filled joint above to ensure it was well pinned up. Leave for a few days then do the next section.
    • CommentAuthoramin
    • CommentTimeAug 1st 2025
     
    The EPS infill how does that work with the timber being embedded in the wall? Wouldn’t there be a risk that they rot given ventilation is closed of with an infill? The exterior wall is exposed brick and because it’s in a conservation area can’t be changed - also means I can’t add EWI

    With the wall plates for some of it anyway I may have no choice but to replace because I’ve spotted that sections are rotting away due to moisture ingress. Likely due to a massive mulberry tree that was right up against the wall - one of the first things I had to remove after buying the house.

    @Tony I checked the brick after your comment about headers and seems like the bricks right above the wall plates aren’t tied into the wall. There is a gap behind them and then the solid wall- makes me wonder if they are structural at all.

    @Mike1 at first floor level sounds intense!
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeAug 2nd 2025
     
    Do they move ?
    • CommentAuthoramin
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2025
     
    Definitely in pretty solid - added another image. Will definitely need some force to take them out which worries me a bit.

    With full fill, do you go up to the top of the joists?
      IMG_2920-transformed.jpeg
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2025
     
    Full fill with beads, I would fill to top of joists , yes.
    • CommentAuthordathi
    • CommentTimeAug 8th 2025
     
    i know none of you will like my reply but here goes use a chainsaw with an old chain to cut the bulk of the timber out of the wall
    • CommentAuthoramin
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2025
     
    An an update: I took the plunge and took the wall plate out. In the end the bricks were pretty loose and the wall plate came out easy. Bricks infilled with sand/lime mortar and for protection added dpc on top of slate. Will post some pictures later on.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2025
     
    Well done, now what

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