I've got this idea about how to get over a problem with my upstairs
floor, and I'm sort of hopeful that it might not be as stupid as I
think it probably is.

I have a downstairs space, about 8m x 4.5m. The floor above it is
constructed from 4"x2" timbers (17" centres) hung from the walls and a
central oak beam. The oak beam (dating from about 1650) spans the 8.5m
and is supported at half way. The ceiling is just the upstairs
floorboards.

This arrangement is unsatisfactory for several reasons, the most
annoying of which is the way the 4x2s are hung off the oak beam - it
really is atrocious to look at! I had resigned myself to ripping the
whole lot out and putting in a new floor. I don't want to box in the
beam.

Then it occurred to me that I could just put another floor on top of
the existing one. I could mirror all the joists and glue and screw
both floors together. This would allow me to improve the aesthetics of
the beam/joist join. Then I would get a less bouncy floor, have room
to run services and save lots of money and time. If the wife objects
to the floorboard look of the ceiling, I stick something onto it even
if it's only paper.

Can anyone spot the fatal flaw?

T