What are Floor Joists?

Floor joists are the beams that support your floor. They are usually centered at 16" spaces.

Floor joists are an important part of the supportive structure of a floor. They hold up the weight of a building, absorb impacts on the floor, and create structural support so that the floor will be stable and secure. They are installed at a very early stage in the building process, and in older structures, they may eventually need to be replaced as a result of wear, or if they were installed improperly when the building was constructed. Many people never see their floor joists, unless they are involved in remodeling and construction projects. These structural elements of a building make up part of the subfloor, the structure which goes underneath the flooring which people walk on. Subfloors are designed to provide support to the flooring, and to make the building itself more rigid and stable so that it will withstand years of heavy use. Joists are typically run perpendicular to beams, and they connect with the supportive framework of the structure to reinforce it. It is very ...  more