Can I level wood floor bearers on sloped hardstanding base with packers?
Anonymous user 07/03/2024 - 2.30 PM
Hi All,
Thank god for this resource and thanks to anyone that help me with this.
We have recently ordered a log cabin from Dunster House. Purchased earlier than planned to make use of the January sale discount.
I have a porcelain patio laid 5x3m which is the perfect size for the log cabin to sit on.
The patio has a slope to it and when putting down the floor bearers, one end of each bearer needs to be raised by 2-3cm, to ensure the bearers are level. I'd need to add some additional packers in here and there as well, but only upto max 5mm.
To make the life of the bearers longer, I was going to lay the required amount of paving slabs across the top of the patio, and either use packers to raise the slabs or put them directly under bearers which would sit on top of the slabs.
Could I please have your advice?
Will the packers be sustainable? Its a very heavy spruce wood log cabin, which will seating etc inside.
The other option, is to take up the patio and lay a rapid grid system with pea shingle, but I would really prefer to go with the packer option to save me that time and money.
Many thanks
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Hello!
What you need to think about is when these mentioned packers will have the support to support the weights above. Also don't forget that wood moves in cold and heat, as this oscillation can cause "unwanted openings".
In other words, everything must be thought out beforehand so that what you save does not result in a future loss. This mentioned height of 2-3 cm is very reasonable, but not absurd. You could add more supports to make them more resistant.
Don't forget that it is not advisable for the doors or the entire cabin itself to be uneven, the square, level and plumb are one of the principles of good fit and operation.
Great acquisition of this Dunster House.
Good luck with the assembly!
Hello,
I built a Dunster house log cabin 4x3 m not long ago and the wood bearers did not initially sit very flat.
The 2 reasons were that they were not very straight but also the slope of the slabs.
I would be more worried if the slabs were uneven if i was you.
When you start building the cabin, you will have difficulty slotting them together if the levels are not right.
Packing is a perfectly fine option but remember that timber moves with moisture and temperature and the unit may simply accommodate the little deflections. Having said that, I would recommend using different thickesses of packers along the bearers to avoid a point load.
Finally remember that the t&g floors goes last and the bearers will still be visible until the end of the job.
Good luck, the Dunster House unit is a great quality unit and fun to build.
Yes and no 😅
I’m sure the packers would do the job for a while, but how long ?
20-30 mm is a big drop
The patio / base should be laid level if it’s to bare a shed or log cabin
The 20-30mm hight difference should off been addressed when the sub base was laid for the patio
Cheers Alec 👨🌾🐶🌾
