When constructing residential buildings, one key element that plays a crucial role in the structure’s longevity is the subflooring. Without proper subflooring, your floor can squeak, sag, or be damaged by external factors such as pests and moisture. In WA, where we experience diverse climate conditions that can affect the structural integrity of the homes, quality is a necessity. And more and more builders turn to Nasahi AAC flooring to build structurally sound flooring systems in Perth.
What is Nasahi AAC Flooring?
Nasahi’s reputation as a producer of innovative building materials has been spreading across Australia in recent years. The global manufacturer is particularly known for their high-quality Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC, which can be used for different aspects of a build.
Nasahi AAC panels are precast concrete made from a mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water, reinforced with corrosion-protected steel. It’s more lightweight compared to traditional concrete, making it significantly easier to handle. They are also regularly tested for safety and specially engineered to comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.
Why WA Builders Love Nasahi Flooring
Suitable for a variety of residential applications—whether it’s multi-level or elevated—Nasahi’s AAC concrete flooring system has become a go-to choice for local construction projects as it boasts the following key benefits:
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- Transportable: Nasahi flooring panels can be flat-packed, reducing time and delivery costs
- Easy-to-install: Due to its aerated composition, Nasahi flooring weighs up to 50% less than regular concrete, making transport and installation significantly quicker
- Fire Resistance: Nasahi flooring panels are non-combustible and can provide an FRL of up to 120/120/120, helping protect structures in BAL-rated areas
- Thermal Insulation: Nasahi AAC floor panels help build an energy-efficient space by preventing the outflow of hot or cold air, depending on the season
- Acoustic Insulation: Despite being lightweight, Nasahi offers excellent acoustic performance like dense masonry, making it the best subflooring system for Perth homes or office fit-outs
- Moisture Resistance: Unlike common subflooring materials, AAC concrete floor systems are better at resisting moisture, mould, and rot
- Termite Resistance: Made from inorganic materials, Nasahi flooring is indestructible by termites
Common Subflooring Materials
While AAC concrete floor systems are now becoming common, other materials have been traditionally used as subflooring in Australian homes. These include:
Plywood
Composition: thin wood sheets glued together in alternating grain directions
Benefits: Stability, strength, accessibility, and transportability
Considerations: prone to splintering, moisture-sensitive and at risk for termites if low quality and not treated properly
Westgyp recommends: For tough plywood suitable for heavy-duty flooring applications, Marine Plywood (BS 1088) offers durability that withstands even high-moisture conditions
Particleboard
Composition: recycled wood particles such as shavings, chips, and sawdust, bound together by synthetic resin
Benefits: eco-friendly, budget-friendly, lightweight option that’s easy to install
Considerations: regular, low-quality particleboards can be vulnerable to moisture and have lower structural strength than plywood
Westgyp recommends: For reliable durability needed for residential flooring, we recommend Laminex Particleboard Flooring (Moisture Resistant) that’s specially manufactured to be resistant to moisture from its core while providing stability and strength across joist spans
Fibre cement flooring
Composition: a mix of cement, cellulose fibres, sand, and water
Benefits: durable, highly moisture- and fire-resistant flooring system
Considerations: heavier than plywood because of its density, and can have higher upfront costs due to its specialised manufacturing
Westgyp recommends: For high-quality fibre cement flooring, James Hardie Secura™ Flooring is recommended for external floors and wet areas as it’s easy to install, non-combustible, and resistant to rot, termites, and moisture damage
Concrete
Composition: a mixture of cement, water, and other aggregates, typically poured directly onto the ground
Benefits: a solid, extremely durable, rot- and termite-proof alternative to wood subflooring
Considerations: Requires additional treatment to prevent moisture seeping into its porous composition, has poor insulation, low flexibility, and is prone to cracking
To help you find the best subflooring system for your build, here is a table comparing the benefits of commonly used materials with Nasahi AAC floor panels.
| Feature | Plywood | Particleboard | Fibre Cement | Regular Concrete | Nasahi AAC |
| Moisture-resistance | Needs additional treatment; Can be moisture-resistant depending on the brand | Needs additional treatment; Can be moisture-resistant depending on the brand | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fire-resistance | Needs additional treatment | Needs additional treatment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Termite-resistance | Needs additional treatment | Needs additional treatment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ease of Installation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Requires specialised tools | ✔ |
| Transportability & Ease of Installation | Can be heavy depending on thickness | Lightweight & easy to install | Easy to install, but can be heavy | Needs specialised equipment to install | Lightweight & easy to install |
| Flooring Compatibility | Compatible with most flooring types | Not recommended with hardwood and tiles | Compatible with most flooring types | Compatible with most flooring types | Compatible with most flooring types |
Why Material Choice Matters in Subflooring
When designing a new home, it’s easy to focus on the aesthetic and comfort of the flooring you’ll directly step on, but it’s equally important to consider subfloor material that does the heavy lifting and support behind the scenes.
Together with the timber or steel floor joists, the subflooring makes up the base that supports an entire house’s structure. A durable and properly-installed subflooring helps protect visible flooring surfaces like tiles, timber panels, or carpets. Picking the best subflooring systems will provide:
- Structural stability: preventing your flat and even flooring from sagging
- Durability from impact: proper load distribution prolongs your floor’s lifespan despite the foot traffic and impact it will inevitably experience
- Moisture protection: protecting your flooring from dampness from the soil, which could lead to mould and rot
- Acoustic performance: resulting in less foot traffic noise and sound travelling between multi-storey homes
- Energy efficiency: lowering energy costs by preventing heat transfer and air infiltration
- Fire protection: providing an underside barrier to a home, which reduces the chances of ignition and spread of fire
WA’s tough and varied environmental conditions require equally tough building materials. Adaptable and heavy-duty subflooring solutions like Nasahi AAC can help support your home and prolong its longevity, whether it’s facing scorching hot summers, humid, wet winters, or salty and sandy coastal air.
Build a Solid, Stable Foundation for Your Home With Westgyp
Ready to start your project? Whether it’s a brand new house construction in Baldivis or a comprehensive renovation project in Mandurah, we’re here to help you out. Westgyp offers a wide range of subflooring solutions for any type of build, including Nasahi flooring made from heavy-duty AAC.
With deep industrial knowledge, we can ensure your project runs smoothly, on schedule, and within budget. Reach out to our expert team or visit our warehouse in Balcatta to discover the best subflooring system for your needs