What Is Floor Joist Blocking

Tying the joists together with blocking makes the floor even stronger and stiffer.

What is floor joist blocking.

So one of the last things that need to be done before sheathing the deck is to fill in with blocking. Prolong the health of your framing with joist tape. Blocking when talking about floor joists is when short wood blocks are used to fill or reinforce floor joists under floors that have a space below them. Blocking bridging or strapping at 8 ft on center forces the joists to take the path of maximum resistance down making them slightly stiffer.

The wood used when blocking is usually made up of short defective pieces of wood that can t be used in other pieces of construction. Blocking your deck joists blocks cut from the same material as your joists should be installed at regular intervals perpendicular to the length of the joists. Two common reasons for squash blocks are. Limiting joist movement also helps prevent gapping between deck boards for a uniform finish.

Solid wood blocking helps reduce up or down movement and the twisting of joists. Engineered i joists can span long distances to make a flat and solid subfloor. They help to stiffen the deck s frame and prevent joists from moving or twisting as the lumber expands and contracts. Making professional blocks to make the blocks i cut sections of i joist 1 inches smaller than the space between the joists.

Squash blocks do not provide lateral support. Floor joist blocking when an improperly designed floor joist is loaded it tries to take the path of least resistance which is to twist to the side.