{"id":1265,"date":"2021-03-03T15:48:24","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T15:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/HouseOverhaul.com\/?p=1265"},"modified":"2022-07-08T17:40:25","modified_gmt":"2022-07-08T17:40:25","slug":"do-joists-go-on-top-of-beams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/HouseOverhaul.com\/do-joists-go-on-top-of-beams\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Joists Go On Top Of Beams?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When it comes to any project that carries a lot of weight, a common question is how to best disperse that weight. The answer comes, more often than not, in the form of joists and beams. But in what order are they applied to bear the weight of the project?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joists go on top of beams to create greater stability for the overall finished project. Joists act as the main support for a load of a house. As such, they themselves need a base to help carry that load. Joists help disperse the load to vertical columns that support the house.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joists are an important building material that, if installed incorrectly can bring the danger of instability to your project. For ideas for installing joists, and to be more successful with the project that you have chosen, keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Types of Projects Will Use Joists?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many different types of projects that are completed, with many different functions. But as this article is about joists, here is a list of some common projects that need joists, and in consequence, beams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Floor installations: In any home or building a floor is needed. But underneath the floor, there must be a load-bearing structure. Joists create that support, along with beams to evenly distribute weight.<\/strong><\/li>
  • Ceiling\/roofs: Joists help support the roof or ceiling of a building as well, and in some cases can be the ceiling and the floor of the next level of the building. These joists may not carry as much weight as floor joists, but they still need to be installed correctly.<\/li>
  • Pergolas: Many pergolas use joists to help support their structure and create its functionality as shaded areas to sit. Pergolas are not nearly as load-bearing as a home or building<\/strong> but they still create high aesthetic appeal.<\/li>
  • Porches: All porches have beams and joists for greater support. This allows the porch to both sit out from the house and create a stable walking area for those who wish to be on it.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Beams Vs. Joists <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Many people can be confused with the difference between joists and beams. Their purpose may be similar but their placement to fulfill that purpose is different. By understanding what they are needed for, installing them, and using them will come with easier knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Supporting Columns<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    First things first, they are both supporting structures that stabilize any project, which is most likely a building. They act to disperse the weight of what they are holding down through the vertical columns.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In many projects, some columns get a project off the ground to meet guidelines either set by the state that you live in or to help keep damage from occurring over time. These columns lead to supporting connectors that can create a box.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Beams<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    But the box is not enough, it needs something more to hold it together. This is where beams come into play. They act as both a horizontal support to keep the columns from tilting sideways, as well as vertical support for whatever goes on top of the overall structure, such as a floor or roof.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The beam goes across and connects to the box structure. This will help disperse the load through the beam, and down the columns to create the stability that you will want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Joists<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, beams aren’t quite enough to disperse that load evenly. They need further support and that is where the joists come in. Joists go perpendicular to the beams that are set. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They typically are placed on top of the beam, but they can also go in between. It is more recommended to put them on top due to the greater stability that will come of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The weight which sits on the joists disperses down to the beam, which then distributes it into the columns and eventually into the ground in an even manner. This creates the greatest structure stability that is wanted.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Floor Joists Vs. Ceiling Joists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There aren’t too many differences between floor joists and ceiling joists, but there are a couple that could be worth noting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The main one is the amount of weight that each would be carrying. As the floor joists are supporting the floor, there will always be more weight that they are holding up.<\/strong> This means that floor joists need to be more durable and must be better installed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Floor joists not only carry the floor but the walls and ceiling as well. So, having the best material and adding more joists work well to help distribute the weight well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to ceiling joists, likely, these joists will not be on top of the beam but in between. Also, it will likely be set at an angle for the roof as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This will create a different strain on the joists and different installation methods could be used to help with this. These methods could include angled cuts as well as additional boards, and joists upon joists.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Installing Joists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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