Replies

1. 
   gordypoo | Apr 02, 2002 03:29pm | #1

   lots of reasons.[1] to make the joists bigger.[2] use up scrap 1x2[3] opes, run out of ideas, have no idea. 

1. 
   NormKerr | Apr 02, 2002 07:21pm | #2

   Last year there was a discussion about reducing the spring in floors, and a big argument whether blocking, bridging or strapping were best.

   It seemed to me that the arguements for strapping won out, becuase they sounded like the most likely to perform a function with the least likelyhood of causing squeaks while doing it.

   I think that if you glue x screw strapping 24" o.c. perpendicular to your joists you prevent the bottom of the joists from being able to move back and forth slightly, which seems like what is happening when the floor is bouncing.

   If bridging or blocking are used their fastening is in the direction of the movement and some feel can cause squeaks. (The strapping attachments are perpendicular to the direction of joist movement so may not be able to make a noise).

   hope this helps. curious if any of the hot headed posters from this topic last year will chime in ;o)

   Edited 4/2/2002 12:22:05 PM ET by Norm

1. 
   eddie3240 | Apr 02, 2002 07:25pm | #4

   would the strapping on 24" centers not be too far apart for the ceiling board?

   thanks and good luck!

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Apr 02, 2002 07:32pm | #5

   eddie... we always strap our ceilings 16" OC..just a regional thing.. originally it was to level the ceiling for the lath..

   but it does a lot of other things too... provides a nail base for trim, stiffens the floor, provides work for carpenters, reduces the spacing from 24" )trusses ) to 16" for the gypsum..

   yada , yada , yada...

   those that don't like it don't have to do it.. we like itMike Smith

   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   gordypoo | Apr 02, 2002 08:33pm | #6

   i finially figured what the heck everyone is talking about, it's been so long since i framed in a house. we call them stiff backs. but its a 2x6 laid across  w/  a 2x4 nailed  to the edge to stiffen up the ceiling joists & keep them centered for s/r.

2. 
   Geoffrey | Apr 03, 2002 06:41am | #10

   Sawman, very interesting, but aren't these "stiffbacks" nailed on the top side of the joist  where there is no floor above? , other wise the 2x'S get in the way, don't they??

    My recollection of a "stiffback" is a 2x6 w/ a 2x4(or another 2x6) nailed perpendicular to it down the midddle of the 2x6, this is then nailed to the wall being framed just before it's lifted up,( usually a gable wall) to "stiffen" it during the lift, or to support the first truss set when running trusses. They're usually  10'ers or longer.  

      As to the strapping, I think it's primary use was to level the bottom of the joists for rocking AND to replace blocking and prevent the bottoms of the joists from twisting, all in one operation., everything else is just a bonus!!

           Geoff

   Edited 4/2/2002 11:45:43 PM ET by Geoff

3. 
   gordypoo | Apr 03, 2002 02:32pm | #11

   you are right, here in s,tx i,ve never seen it used in residental, i've used  2x8's between joists in apartments.  this brought back memories, no come back needed.

4. 
   FastEddie1 | Apr 03, 2002 08:17pm | #13

   Where in SoTx are you?

5. 
   xMikeSmith | Apr 03, 2002 10:51pm | #14

   keith  .. u bozo.... who you callin a chevy driving yankee ?Mike Smith

   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

6. 
   eddie3240 | Apr 02, 2002 11:08pm | #7

   thanks Mike!

   good luck!!

2. 
   Mongo | Apr 03, 2002 05:43am | #9

   eddie,

   If your strappig is 24" oc, I prefer 5/8ths sheetrock. If 16" oc then you can use half-inch. Still, I use 5/8ths on all ceilings. My preference as I frame with TJIs.

2. 
   eddie3240 | Apr 02, 2002 07:22pm | #3

   the strapping is perpendicular to the joist's.

   so, anyone else out there with a clue?

   thanks and good luck

2. 
   Piffin | Apr 02, 2002 11:28pm | #8

   In addition to what has been mentioned;

   It helps reduce sound transmition from room to room by lessening the solids in contact for vibrations to travel on.

   Some electricians like it for the gap it allows.

   I you are remodeling, you've got a way to level the ceiling.

   Sheetrockers love it because a strapp 2-3/4" (what we get here) is easier to hit than a waney 1-1/2" with a SR screw.

   You might try a search for it 'cause we had several discussions (don't remember anybody arguing - we all love one another here) on the old board about it.

   Excellence is its own reward!
3. 
   BKCBUILDER | Apr 03, 2002 08:11pm | #12

    Could never figure this one out! Figured a cheap ass sidewinder using  chevy driving yankee would not want to use any more material than was absolutely necessary, and there they go wasting wood.

4. 
   4Lorn1 | Apr 05, 2002 06:15am | #15

   I'm not a carpenter but I have been told by an old carpenter that strapping, called runners round here, was applied to even out the ceiling surface.

   He described tacking the runners up and then shimming them out  to get a nice flat ceiling. This was in addition to installing strong back/s in the attic to force the ceiling joists into near allignment. The strapping was done for the whole house to keep the ceilings even but the shimming was more intense for large rooms with long sight lines. A taught string line was used for the measurement of variations in the tacked runners. Once tacked and shimmed the strapping was nailed, sometimes screwed, in tight and the plaster, later drywall, applied.

1. 
   Piffin | Apr 05, 2002 12:39pm | #16

   You are right about that in the origin of strapping. Thjat was back when hand hewn beams were strapped and then covered with plaster on lath.

   I'vew worked on homes that still had hand hewn lath too, believe it or not. Horsehair in the plaster.

   Excellence is its own reward!