Block and Beam Floors: Are They Worth It for Domestic Projects?

If you’re building an extension or new home, one of the first structural decisions you’ll face is:

“Do I go for a block and beam floor, or a traditional oversite slab?”

At ShellCo, we’ve installed both — and in many cases, block and beam is the smarter choice, especially for domestic builds.

Here’s what it is, when to use it, and whether it’s worth it for your next project.

🧱 What Is a Block and Beam Floor?

Block and beam is a suspended concrete floor system made from:

• Precast concrete beams (like long lintels)

• Concrete blocks placed between them

• A finishing layer of insulation and screed

Rather than pouring concrete directly onto the ground (like with oversite), block and beam sits across the foundation trench, making it ideal for uneven or unstable ground.

✅ Benefits of Block and Beam (for Homeowners)

🔹 1. Works on Any Ground

Clay soil? Uneven site? Poor drainage?

Block and beam doesn’t care — it’s structurally separate from the soil below.

🔹 2. No Drying Time

Traditional concrete slabs need time to cure. Block and beam systems go in fast and dry, ready for screed or insulation within hours.

🔹 3. No Hardcore Needed

Saves you the cost of Type 1 fill, compaction, damp-proof membranes, etc.

🔹 4. Long-Term Durability

It doesn’t crack, settle or shift like slab pours sometimes do. And it stays solid under load for decades.

⚠️ When Not to Use It

Block and beam isn’t always better — sometimes a simple oversite is more cost-effective, especially on:

• Small extensions (under 15m²)

• Flat, compacted, well-drained ground

• Projects with tight budgets

We’ll advise the best option based on your ground conditions.

🏗️ ShellCo Installs Both

We offer both oversite concrete slabs and full block and beam systems, depending on what your build needs.

We’ll handle:

• Trench prep

• Block and beam install

• Insulation and screed

• Building control compliance

All with fixed pricing, clean sites, and reliable turnaround.

📍 Available Across Hertfordshire & Beds

We install block and beam floors in:

Stevenage, Hitchin, Royston, Welwyn, Biggleswade, Shefford, and beyond.

View full coverage →

📞 Need a Quote for Block and Beam?

We’ll check your drawings, visit site if needed, and quote the best solution for your project — oversite or suspended floor.

➡️ Contact ShellCo Today for advice or a site-ready quote.