My thread on the other forum seems to be sliding into oblivion so an hoping this may get an answer as a shiny new one is always inviting.
We are *almost* about to start the new bathroom and the lovely white ceramic stuff is currently taking up half the living room. What has begun to worry me is the weight of it all - especially the shower tray. How do we know that the floor will support it all? The existing bathroom suite is a bit on the flimsy side so not much help as a basis of comparison
My old bathroom suite was crap and had a rubbish plastic bath, I was slightly concerned about the weight of the heavy steel tub that replaced it, but my dad told me it would be fine and that my floor would hold it no bother (I'm lucky I have a dad who knows about these things!).
I would be very susprised if the floor couldnt take it but then I've not seen your floor nor your bathroom suite.
Originally posted by laminate flooring rocks: In this instance I would not recommend laminate flooring.
I'm surprised given your agenda-related name. Surely there is always a time and a place for laminate??
I would however mention that it is suprising how much weight a floor can hold. For example, an acquaintance managed to fit a fishtank which full of water weighed in excess of a metric tonne into his first floor bedroom. Eventually it did drop through the floor with catastrophic consequences, but that took nearly a month.
Thanks, I feel so much better now.... Could you maybe give me an estimate on how long before we are back to a downstairs bathroom? Might we have as much as 6 weeks, for example?
It will be bizarre to see all postings decorated by a barrage of praise in favour of laminate flooring! Even though older houses were not built to contain the ironmongery and sanitary ware that we have today the floors/joists will be able to cope unless they have been weakened (by damp, decay, whatever) or you are proposing to install something extremely heavy like a large cast iron bath. Although these huge baths are often contemporary to older houses they were originally installed on the ground floor. Your plumber should be able to give you advice once he's on the spot. Bet you can't wait to see your bathroom looking all beautiful!
Originally posted by FireGoddess: Oo everything looks a bit odd now laminate and his posts have gone!
Yes what happened there?
Was it construed by the powers-that-be as blatant advertising?
Personally I hate the stuff but he seemed harmless enough...
yes susiecam, can't wait, although we are all assuming that it WILL look beautiful! The bath isn't cast iron, just extra thick acrylic, I can't remember what the shower tray is made of but it is 1100 x 950 and I can barely lift it!
Never fear - Carpet Bagger is here! (Though he wouldn't necessarily recommend it in bathrooms).
If joists are spaced nicely, tray weight should be spread over 2 or 3 joists. Unless joists have been fashioned from matchsticks all will be well. Uproot a single floorboard and inspect the joist - measure him well and check him for vitality.
Carpet Bagger is also so bold as to suggest it may be nice to add further joists using metal joist hangers. Floor should then be suitably strongnice.
I think laminate flooring is beautiful and so easy to maintain. I have got it all the way through my house, I was even told by my agent it was one of the best features when you come to sell your house that people will be looking for.!!
can't bear laminate (sorry!) and it would be a definite off-putter in any house I looked at as I'd have to factor in the cost of ripping the b*stard stuff out again!
We have ceramic tiles in our upstairs bathroom, a larger than average shower tray and a larger than average bath (we likes to wallow, we does) - the floor holds up fine (six years and counting!), our builder showed us the joists when he was laying the pipework (we moved the bathroom from its original location next door to the room it ended up in) and as Lee says, they're pretty darn sturdy...
___________________________________________________________________________ strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
Thanks everyone! I am feeling less panicky now although I will be measuring joists come the weekend just to make sure
Carpet Bagger - there's some nice greenish carpet coming out of our bathroom if you fancy it...
Lovecat - I'm with you on the laminate (sorry AllyP, not much of a welcome for a new member!). We are having slate in the bathroom which was going to be another weight issue but have reassured builder that it isn't half a Welsh hillside (I wish) just the cheap stuff from B&Q
The existing bathroom suite is a bit on the flimsy side so not much help as a basis of comparison
