Floor Joist Blocking Vs Bridging

Metal bridging is less effective for eliminating bouncy joists than blocking but it is easier to install and may stiffen the floor for.

Floor joist blocking vs bridging.

I ve always used a lift for upper floors though. Proper bridging distributes the load on the floor to other joists and over time prevents floors from sagging and squeaking do to floor joists twisting and warping. There are many different opinions on why to block floor joists the process behind doing it and how it helps the floor structure. From both ends of the span.

Adding two rows of bridging costs a few dollars per joist. Use metal bridging instead of wood blocking if you wish. Various types of metal bridging are available at home centers and lumberyards. Blocking also needs to be provided at the supporting end of a joist.

To install the type shown here drive the toothed end into the joist and nail the other end. The joists shown here for example span 12 ft so we added rows of bridging 4 ft. Yet it is not uncommon to find bridging not properly installed or missing all together. In addition to providing lateral support blocking helps transfer weight to adjacent joists so that the floor acts as a unified system.

The weight of the piano is centered over a single joist but the bridging transfers some of the weight to the adjacent joists. Floor joist bridging is critical to the structural strength of a floor as shown in figure 1. The blocking or bridging between joists or rafters also contributes to this phenomenon. Blocking or bridging can be used for a variety of purposes in deck building.