I’m refurbishing my house that was build in 1920. The floor joists are rough-sawn 2X8’s of random species that span 14′ or so. They are more or less on 24″ centers. CABO tables tell me that 2X8’s are ok for this span on 12″ centers. I’m trying to decide whether to use solid wood or engineered lumber for the new joists. Anybody have thoughts on this? The house is brick, with the joists sitting on a ledger or else set into the wall.
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Replies
Engineered
What new joists? Are joists rotting? Has the floor sagged? Does it bounce when you walk on it? Are you going to have a much greater load on it after the remodel?
If the existing structure is doing the job, trying to add new joists sounds to me like borrowing trouble.
hard call
supposidly engineered joists dry and settle differently than solid wood so I might think to use the same species thats there already.
Another thought is that tji's probably don't settle as much as solid lumber so....another thing.can you get a tji thats the same "Exact" size as what exists? Doubt it.
Ask Joe....."Framer".......he's been through this stuff up hill and down dale (did I just say that......ugh..musta been a bad week)
Be straight (that'll be the day)
andy
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The floor sure isn't flat and it bounces and squeaks. Engineered joists shouldn't change dimensionally like solid wood. It seems to me I should use solid wood after I dry it to match the moisture content inside the house. As far as size goes, I'll need something smaller than existing so the joist can be rolled up to vertical. I was going to slide glue covered plywood between the floor and the new joist to make up the height. Any one have any more thoughts as to how to attach.
I would sister 2x10's to the existing joists. The joists could be cut a little short of the supports on each end. The bearing provided by the existing joist is adequate. Nail with 3-16d nails 16" oc. Nail tight to the flooring on one end, jack up the other end and complete the nailing. Try to make sure that the two joists are in close contact before you nail them. You may have to wedge them together after you jack up the end and before you nail.