Floor Joist Cross Bracing Has Moved

Install with two 6d common nails per end.

Floor joist cross bracing has moved.

Thd sku 205173. Residential building code requires the use of cross bracing or blocking for floor joists exceeding 2 inches by 12 inches but many homes especially older ones have. How to brace your floor studs. Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight.

Figure 2 incorrect installation of cross bridging. Figure 1 cross and solid bridging with load on floor. I have also observed that no twisting or movement issues were found and many homes are 20 years or older. As shown in figure 2 it is not unusual especially in new homes to find that the cross bridging has not been nailed to the bottom of the floor joists.

Even if your joists already have a row of bridging at the center of the span adding a row on each side of the existing bridging will stiffen the floor. Whether your home is new or old it is sometimes necessary to install floor joist bracing in order to eliminate squeaking and deflection in the flooring itself. Meaning the top end was nailed but the bottm ends were not. Simpson strong tie tension bridging galvanized steel the ltb s are used in floor systems to resist the overturning of floor joists and features a staggered nail pattern.

Bracing will stiffen a floor system prevent floor joists from twisting and increase overall stability however there are actually two types of floor joist bracing commonly used. Cross bracing and solid blocking.