Should We Upgrade Floor Joists In New Construction

The notching and boring rules of thumb for solid lumber are shown in fig.

Should we upgrade floor joists in new construction. What are the advantages and disadvantages to using them to support your new floors. See the image below for an example of joists spaced 16 on center 16 o c. Most new construction uses 2 by 8 lumber for joists although 2 by 6. If you re planning to customize and if you re building a new home you probably are then you have to also factor in the cost of upgrades.

Holes and notches as applicable are then cut in the new joist and the utility lines are threaded through and reconnected. To avoid buckling subfloor panels should be spaced with a 1 8 inch gap at all edges and ends to provide room for naturally occurring expansion. Since the example house we are designing for is 12 feet wide we need to find in the floor joist span table a joist size and centering that can span 12 or wider. True floor joist span calculations can only be made by a structural engineer or contractor.

Follow the rules to keep your floor solid. Purchase the type of lumber that matches the width of the existing joist. Floor joists are an important part of the supportive structure of a floor. I joists have major advantages in high volume construction with standard layouts.

They hold up the weight of a building absorb impacts on the floor and create structural support so that the floor will be stable and secure. If the floor frame has blocking between the joists new blocking is cut and installed on both sides of the sistered joists. We will try to answer some of these questions below. The good news is we have used all of the options discussed and can give you some insight as to which might fit your new home.

Open web trusses with wood webbing held together with metal plates. If your home is more than 20 years old your floor joists are most likely solid wood 2x8s 2x10s or 2x12s. Two types of engineered joists are most frequently used in floor systems today. This is because they are.

The floor joist spacing is the distance between the centers of any two installed joists. Joists are installed at a very early stage in the building process and in older. What are the alternatives to i joists. Measure the width and length of the existing joist.

This sample table gives minimum floor joist sizes for joists spaced at 16 inches and 24 inches on center o c for 2 grade lumber with 10 pounds per square foot of dead load and 40 pounds of live load which is typical of normal residential construction. Wood i joists with dimension lumber top and bottom chords and osb web. Should you use i joists for your new home. The base price of your home is the cost of the structure plus all the standard finishes.

The sister joist is anchored to the old joist with construction adhesive and nails.