Proper Floor Joist Bracing Or Blocking

Bracing will stiffen a floor system prevent floor joists from twisting and increase overall stability however there are actually two types of floor joist bracing commonly used.

Proper floor joist bracing or blocking.

Later cutting this crooked lumber into short blocking makes good use of boards that would otherwise have to returned or scrapped. Blocking also needs to be provided at the supporting end of a joist. Make sure your joists are spaced correctly deck joist spacing should never exceed 16 on center with the exception of max deck boards which allow for maximum 24 on center. Ceiling joists i ve never installed solid blocking or bridging before i always install strongback every 8 using a 2x4 flat and a 2x6 on edge.

Leave the crowned joist and apply sister joists by sandwiching the board with two new joists. Cross bracing and solid blocking. That s code around here. Another method used to keep the joists from rolling onto their sides is x bracing.

Floor joists installed on second or third or higher levels double as ceiling joists for the level below. Using 2x lumber for floor joists i install blocking or bridging every 8. When you build your deck throw the floor joist boards that have gone wild badly twisted or cupped into a separate pile. Proper bridging distributes the load on the floor to other joists and over time prevents floors from sagging and squeaking do to floor joists twisting and warping.

Outside joists may not be spaced at 16 oc or may need to adjust to get the proper fit for decking. I use 1x3 pine with 2 medium crown staples to prevent splitting. Observe the following guidelines. Whether your home is new or old it is sometimes necessary to install floor joist bracing in order to eliminate squeaking and deflection in the flooring itself.

This size is no longer acceptable when framing a structure. Lack of proper bracing during construction can result in serious accidents. Blocking is fine too but i like the fact that x bridging is unaffected by cupped joists is much easier to get a tight connection and it actually tightens up as joists shrink. On a low deck where blocking cannot be installed from underneath stretch a string from the house to the outside edge along each outside joint for a reference.

In the past 2x4s or 2x6s were sometimes used as floor joists. Building code requires the use of blocking for floor joists that exceed 2 inches in width by 12 inches in depth. Leave outside joists for last and install blocking from underneath. Just out of view in that ceiling pic is a rat run or at least that is what i call em.

Yet it is not uncommon to find bridging not properly installed or missing all together. Establish a permanent deck sheathing fastened to the first 4 feet of joists at the end of the bay or braced end wall. Floor joist bridging is critical to the structural strength of a floor as shown in figure 1.