DaveH Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Is it acceptable to build my ground floor internal walls in blockwork directly off the 6 inch reinforced concrete slab rather than constructing timber studwork walls? The only loadbearing wall has footings underneath but the room dividing walls would just be straight off the slab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Should be fine in medium density blockwork if they are non-loadbearing, otherwise you may need to ask a structural engineer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 On 22/01/2019 at 10:44, Mr Punter said: Should be fine in medium density blockwork if they are non-loadbearing, otherwise you may need to ask a structural engineer. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 So after taking further advice I'm looking to construct my internal walls in blockwork instead of timber studs. My builder has suggested using thermalite but I've heard negative remarks regarding the ability to mount heavy items to them (I'm thinking TV, MVHR unit etc etc). Does anyone have any practical advice regarding lightweight blocks vs medium density concrete blocks please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz07 Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 They're ok to fix to with the right method. However more expensive than other blocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishjohn Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 post up your approved plans for this building . the ones passed by planning . these will show foundation detail etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfb Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) Why would you use thermalite for anything other than external walls for insulation value? Medium density better for fixing to, sound absorption and fine to go off slab. I suppose they are lighter for the poor Brickie! Edited February 14, 2019 by jfb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyP Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Our block layers hated thermalites and were much happier when I specified medium density. Thermalites are much more prone to cracking than medium density, especially around openings and reveals. And they are ridiculously absorbent and I think this makes them hard to lay, within a few minutes of laying a mortar bed along a course it's started to stiffen before you've had a chance to lay the blocks on top. You have to pirme the edges of the blocks with water as you go to try and control the suction. And in warm weather the water can be pulled out of the mortar bed very rapidly, before it's had time to cure properly. Also, they are a beast to wet plaster, requiring copious priming with PVA to kill the suction. As above, medium density are going to create a better sound barrier and are much nicer to fix to. The only one who grumbles about medium density is the poor labourer who has to haul them up the scaffold all day! I'd use them everywhere, a small increment to insulation layer will offset any lost thermal performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 No benefit of thermalite as they are designed for thermal performance. Mediums are cheap, easy to lay and quick. Make sure you ask them to point both sides too as nothing worse than a blockwork wall full of half filled perps 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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