Acoustic partial flooring installed in exclusive development

MCT specified the flooring throughout One Hyde Park – a 630m² apartment in Knightsbridge, London – to maintain the maximum possible floor-to-ceiling height, while still being able to run all the services beneath the flooring.

Despite the substrate being uneven, FHB flooring was chosen as it could achieve a level floor whilst requiring no drying time.

FHB25 panels

MCT targeted an acoustic performance of over 5dB above Part E requirements.

This was achieved by installing circular acoustic pads on top of the adjustable pedestals that support the FHB25 panels.

FHB25 – part of the Knauf GIFAfloor range – consists of gypsum fibre panels engineered with a tongue and groove edge profile which ensures a strong bond when laid.

It creates a monolithic floor which can be bonded directly onto the panels without any need for de-bonding layers. The floor finishes require only priming before the finished coating is applied.

GIFAfloor panels are designed to span over pedestals at a maximum of 600mm centres over voids up to 1.2m high.

If necessary, frames and panels can be incorporated to provide access to the voice below the floor, so that cabling can easily be installed and updated.

Panels can also be used to span joisted and battened floors.

Thermal conductivity

The floor panels’ thermal conductivity of 0.44 W/mK makes them a suitable component for an underfloor heating system.

Knauf GIFAfloor panels are designed to avoid issues associated with wet screed and moisture.

With no screed to dry, the heating can be efficiently installed, allowing the finishes to be laid within hours.

Sustainability

Knauf’s FHB system is also sustainable in terms of its manufacturing process.

The panels are made using fibres from recycled paper, blended with a mix of natural and flue gas desulphurised dypsum.

They score two water managements points in the Code for Sustainable Homes, reduce the cement content of the building and cut the load on tower blocks, which reduces foundation and steelwork requirements.