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Can you add ceiling joists?
Building codes direct that ceiling joists attach to — rather than hang from — either roof rafters or the top plates of exterior walls; three nails must be toenailed through the joist to secure it in place. A code-compliant connection includes the use of metal joist hangers, just like those used on outdoor decks.
How much weight can garage ceiling joists support?
If you have another floor above your garage, the ceiling\floor structure can usually support up to 40 lbs/SqFt (including the weight of the floor above it). If you do not have another floor above, the ceiling trusses may only be able to hang a maximum of 10 lbs/SqFt.
How far apart are ceiling joists in a garage?
Just like the studs, the standard spacing between joists is 16 to 24 inches. There is one easy way to find these ceiling joists – the flashlight technique.
How wide are garage ceiling joists?
Ceiling joists are almost always made of some type of framing wood, usually pine. For garage ceilings, the wood size is usually 2 x 4, 2 x 6, or 2 x 8. Sometimes, joists can be made of metal but this is very rare for residential construction.
How do I sister a ceiling joist?
But it’s usually best to run the sister joist over the entire span. When the sagging joists are level, apply a generous bead of construction adhesive to the existing joist. Then attach the sister joist using three 16d common nails driven every 16 in. Driving 16d common nails in old, hard wood is difficult.
How much weight will my garage rafters hold?
The horizontal bottom chords of most garage trusses are designed to carry the weight of drywall and insulation. So if your ceiling is unfinished, you have some excess carrying capacity up there: 5 lbs. per sq. ft. is a safe estimate.
How do I reinforce my garage rafters?
Place a ladder or stepladder against the rafters to allow yourself to climb up to them. Measure the length of a ceiling joist from the midpoint of the garage to the wall of the garage. Cut a 2-by-4-inch board to match the distance you measured. Reinforce the other half of the joist with the same method.
Can I walk on my ceiling joists?
If you don’t have a floor, you’ll have to walk on the joists. When doing so, be careful not to place all your weight on one joist. Not only is this a fall hazard, but it can also cause the joist to bow and crack the drywall below. This also means you don’t want to sit, stand, or kneel on one joist for too long.
Does screwing into a joist weaken it?
The simple answer to the question is zero. Any cut on the edge weakens the joist.
Can my garage support a second story?
Most attached garages are constructed with a framed or block wall, both of which are strong enough to support a second-story room above them. A detached garage requires more careful examination.
Do ceiling joists line up with wall studs?
Joists are usually spaced at the same intervals as studs — 16 or 24 inches apart. Run the stud finder over the ceiling in that area. When it lights up, it has reached the edge of a joist. If it doesn’t find a joist, measure 24 inches from the wall and try that area instead.
How do you find a joist in the ceiling without a stud finder?
Try a Small Nail While your there, measure the distance between joists to see if they are 16 or 24-inches apart. When you go back downstairs, you will see the nail, know which way the joists run and how far apart they are, so you can use your measuring tape to find the joist you need.
Which way do ceiling joists run?
An important thing to know about joists is that they usually run in the same direction throughout a house. If the visible joists in a basement or attic run east to west, for example, you can be fairly certain the invisible joists under the bedroom floor also run east to west.
How thick should ceiling joists be?
Standard Size of Joists Though there is no standard joist size for the ceilings in all buildings, most average homes use ceiling joists in a board size of 2-by-6 inches. The range of joist sizes used in homes varies though, between 2-by-4 inches and 2-by-12 inches.
Can 2×4 be used for ceiling joists?
A 2×4 can span a maximum of 6′ 7” when spaced 16” apart and used as a floor or deck joist. When used as a ceiling joist or a roof rafter, a 2×4 can span up to 7′ 3” spaced at 16”, and 6′ 4” when spaced 24” apart.
Can you join joists together?
The side-by-side joists should be attached together by a nailing pattern similar to combining boards to form a beam. If you are adding onto a deck, you must make sure the footings are large enough to support the added loads.
What is a sister joist?
Joist sistering is adding an extra identical floor joist, to a damaged or inadueqate floor joist, and tieing the two together with screws or nails. It is a very effective way of adding the additional strength needed to hold up a sagging floor.
