I am renovating a 1909 Victorian house with some significant joist deflection problems in certain rooms.  Floor system is 3×8 16″ o.c. (3 floors), with spans of up to 16′.  Builder was a local carpenter with much ingenuity but no money and/or great faith in the inherent structural integrity of wood; some material on the upper floors is essentially slab wood, which probably degrades it to about 2×6.  Second floor (finished) is presently single ply, offering built-in opportunity for improvement via addition of second layer of wood and/or plywood substrate for carpet or other finish flooring.  Plaster ceilings in finished rooms require extensive repair, so can be opened readily without great loss.  We are, however, trying to retain flat ceilings in main rooms. 

Would appreciate suggestions on alternatives for giving this long-suffering framing a better chance.   Many thanks.

Bob Morrison

Voorheesville New York

12.03.04