How to Choose a Floor Expansion Joint
A floor expansion joint cover has to bridge the gap, move with the structure and carry whatever crosses it. Six facts decide which one you need.
What to establish first
- Gap width. The width of the structural gap the joint has to cover.
- Movement. How far the gap opens and closes, and whether the movement is thermal only or includes larger building or seismic movement.
- Traffic and load. Pedestrians, trolleys and pallet trucks, forklifts, cars or heavier vehicles. Loads are classified in Eurocode EN 1991-1-1; see Traffic types and Eurocodes.
- Floor finish and height. The finish either side of the joint (tile, stone, screed, resin, carpet) and the depth available for the joint.
- Water. External floors, wash-down areas and decks need a watertight joint.
- Fire. Where the gap passes through a fire compartment floor it needs a fire barrier beneath the cover.
Which range fits
- Tiled and hard floor finishes, bay joints: MicrAtec control joints.
- Floor expansion gaps: MaxAtec frame and seal joints.
- Higher floor loads: MegAtec centre plate joints.
- Podiums, parking decks and other floors carrying vehicles: TransAtec mechanical joints.
- Seismic movement: SeismAtec seismic pan joints.
- External floors: FlexAtec UV-resistant seal joints.
- Watertight joints: add an AquAtec or AquaFlex membrane.
- Fire-rated joints: add a FireFlex fire barrier.
For recommendations by building type, see Applications.
Next step
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