WHAT ARE FLOOR JOISTS?
Floor Joists are a series of structural timbers that span from one load bearing wall to another, usually 400mm or 600mm apart. They essentially support the floorboards above and often the ceiling underneath.
There are various forms of floor joists in the use of modern construction that can be used for different purposes and often the structural engineer will advise on this selection to suit each requirement, depending on the length the joists are required to span and what loads the joists are required to support from above.
Traditionally floor joists would be solid timber, but modern engineered technologies have created options such as I- joists and steel web (Pozi) joists. These are often employed to span greater distances with other benefits, including a 360-degree service run potential within the depth of the floor joist zone. These engineered joist types are generally lighter in weight than traditional solid timber joists.
A series of parallel joists may be given additional rigidity by intermediate bracing running between them and perpendicular to the joists. Rigidity systems can include the use of noggins or herringbone struts to prevent joists twisting when under load.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JOIST?
Engineered joists can be cost effective
Engineered joists are more predictable regarding strength enabling lesser depths of joists.
Engineered joists can help to speed up the process of a build. The strength of engineered joists allows designers to create a less complex and minimalistic floor plan
Metal Web Joists are manufactured to size in house and so on-site alterations are not required
Metal Web Joists have an open web structure allows plenty of space for services which eliminates the need for drilling or notching
Metal Web Joists are lightweight making them easier to handle and increase the speed of the works
WHAT IS THE INSTALLATION PROCESS OF JOIST?
This process depends on the type of construction and design of the general structure being built.
Joists are either sited on top of a wall, fixed to a timber plate that is secured to the wall, or they are cut between the walls and sited into metal hangers that are fixed to the wall. The structural engineer will direct these works at design stage.
Often the floor joists will be accurately set out to suit what is to be sited upon them, such as internal dividing walls and partitions. Additionally, whatever needs to pass through the floor space vertically, such as staircases, service risers and SVP’s etc. For such works there will often be a floor joist setting out plan issued by the Architect or Structural Engineer.
Payne Carpentry have extensive experience in the many types of floor joists. We manage our clients’ needs by providing time and cost saving solutions by carrying out the following compulsory works procedures as part of our standard service.
We have been leading Devon’s carpentry industry with superior quality, reliable communication and efficient, effective solutions. If you have a project you would like us to work on, we would love to hear from you.