Journal of Light Construction: Floor Structure

I-Joist Installation

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:07:39 EST

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Shrink-Resistant Floor Tie Screw

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 02:35:54 EST

The SDWF structural wood screw is designed to help compensate for a structure's shrinkage over time

Beefing Up Attic Joists for Living Space

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:46:50 EST

I need to convert an attic to livable space with minimal disruption to first-floor habitation.

Expanding a Kitchen

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 05:05:44 EST

We were wrapping up the latest in a series of renovation projects on a suburban Maryland split-level home when I casually mentioned to the owner that her Thanksgiving family gatherings would be a lot more enjoyable if her small kitchen weren't separated from the dining and living areas by a wall.

Dealing With Creaky Subflooring

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:46:38 EST

Q: I was asked to look at a job where the homeowners have issues with loud, creaking floors.

Tiling Over Plywood Subfloors

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 05:03:11 EST

For crack-free floors, limit joist deflection and install two layers of 3/4-inch plywood and a thinset membrane.

A New Interior for an Antique House

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 05:40:32 EST

Addressing structural issues first made the interior finish work easier.

Q&A: OSB Subfloor Over Decking?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:04:27 EST

Q: We're building a four-season addition over an existing raised deck framed with PT lumber. Is it okay to install OSB subfloor sheathing directly over the wood decking, or should the decking be removed first?

Mud-Bed Showers

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:16:33 EST

Floated mortar walls provide a flat, plumb setting bed over irregular wall framing.

Drying a Stone Cellar

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:14:28 EST

Letting the water run through keeps this 200-year-old basement dry.

On the Job

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:12:57 EST

Timber-frame look for a stick-frame addition; adding a border to a hardwood floor

Soundproofing A Band Room

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:56:34 EST

Using simple techniques and specialized products, you can block out even live rock ’n ’roll.

Q&A: Fix for Bouncy I-Joists?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:01:45 EST

Q: Instead of glue and nails, my framing subcontractor used screws to fasten the sheathing to the I-joists of a new 14-foot-wide addition. While there are no interior walls bearing on the floor system and no excessive notching in the I-joist flanges - and the joists fall well within the APA's allowable span guidelines - my clients say their floor is excessively bouncy. Does the use of adhesive contribute to the stiffness of an I-joist floor system? Would it help to add midspan blocking?

Building a Curved Stairway

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:07:37 EST

Simple framed walls support the treads and act as forms for bending the rails and stringers.

Framing a Curved Porch

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:04:23 EST

separate the winners from the runners-up.

On the Job

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:03:21 EST

Rough framing and routers; curved wood gutter

Q&A: A Quick Fix for Squeaky Floors?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:00:55 EST

Q. When a floor is covered by wall-to-wall carpeting, is it possible to fix squeaks without taking up the rug to get to the subfloor?

Plumbing and Straightening Walls

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:01:30 EST

This quick, accurate method prevents problems with the framing and finishes that follow.

Toolbox

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:00:40 EST

PLS90E 90-degree layout laser; knives; heavy equipment

Q&A: Exposed I-Joists

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:00:02 EST

Q: A client has asked me to build a practical outbuilding with a wood floor system. For simplicity's sake, I'd like to place it on a Sonotube foundation and use continuous-span wood I-joists. The bottom of the I-joists will be about 16 to 24 inches off the ground, and the perimeter joists will be completely protected from the weather by the siding and water table. Is it okay to use I-joists in this situation?