Floor Beams And Joists

Floor joists or beams provide the below surface support for the wood subfloor of a room.

Floor beams and joists.

The most common example can be seen in a basement or crawlspace where a large main beam runs down the center of the space and is supported every 8 feet or so with a column or concrete pier. The function of a beam is to provide to straight level surface even with the top of the mudsill which will support the floor joist system between the foundation walls. Technically joists are a type of beam. The extra two inches of vertical distance when a floor is framed with 2 x 10 joists rather than 2 x 12s can be quite important for example.

Joists are typically shorter and lay across the beams to give them horizontal support. Though joists may be any size that you desire using typical floor joist and beam specifications ensures that you can find hardware to fit the joists and that the floor provides adequate support for furniture and other items in a room. Floor joists rest directly on beams. Beams are thicker and longer and are laid vertically.

The load carried by joists and beams is applied at a right angle to the length of the span. Joists also may get support from beams located at or near the middle of the joist span. Beam and joist arrangements can form a supporting frame for a floor. This beam supports the floor joists of the house s ground floor.

That is beams and joists are building parts that lay flat rather than stand up. Walls and columns often sit on floors so they may rest indirectly on beams. But larger is not always better when builders are constructing a home or adding a room addition. Both stretch across long spans.