14/05/2026
Let’s talk preparation! A very important part of any work is preparation, from solid concrete bases outside to stable suspended timber floors inside. This is the part of the work that is not seen, not very glamorous but just as important as the beautiful Victorian tiles sitting on top!
I’ve numbered the photos so I can explain the process for anyone that is interested:
1. Laying a decoupling mat to protect the tiles from the lateral movement of the heated floor below.
2. Encapsulating the heating wires in concrete leveller prior to fixing the decoupling mat.
3. Installing insulation boards so the heat is directed up to the tiles and not downwards into the screed and installing the heating on top of the insulation boards
4. Rotten timber joists found just inside the door and this was caused by the door sill tipping inwards and allowing the rain to run inside over time.
5. New joist support installed and temporary prop before fixing a new supporting timber post.
6. New timber post installed supporting the floor at the front of the Hallway.
7. New joists installed to replace the rotten joist in photo number 4.
8. Cement boards fixed to floorboards to strengthen the floor and to help minimise the bounce in the floor.
9. A decoupling membrane installed to help minimise any potential lateral movement in the floor.
10. This compete hallway was lowered so the tiles would finish flush with the flooring in the adjoining rooms. It also had rotten joists at the front door which were taken out and replaced.
11. Same as number 10.
12. Wood treatment where necessary on old joists.
13. Type 1 hardcore, steel mesh and started concrete pour.
14. Joining the 2 concrete pads together with the steel bars.
15. Concrete poured and now waiting a minimum of 6 weeks before tiles can be installed.
16. The concrete had to be re-done on the job as the previous trade’s person had poured it without steel and only 25mm. It was removed, type 1 hardcore laid, steel reinforcement bars installed and 100mm concrete being poured.
17. Role tip edging installed after concrete pour.
18. Another concrete pour fully prepared.
19. Concrete tamped.
20. Tamping the concrete on another path.