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I apologize if this topic has already been covered, but I could not find an exact answer to my question so here goes. I should preface this question by stating that I am a homeowner (not a builder) and own a historic home (approximately 175 years old). Please excuse my ignorance when it comes to proper terminology and modern building standards.
I was recently looking at some examples of new home construction and observed two different floor joist types in addition to the older and simpler dimensional lumber 2 X 10 or 2 X 12. Both newer types were similar in design in that both were of an I-beam type construction. One type was what appeared to be OSB in the vertical dimension sandwiched between solid lumber flanges, producing a solid joist. The second type used criss-crossed lumber “braces” in place of the OSB producing a joist that you could pass wiring and other utilities through.
I have seen the OSB-type joists advertised in FHB and other publications, but I was not familiar with the latter type of joist and immediately wondered if it was better than the OSB-type joist (thus more desirable) or a cheaper imposter used in lesser quality construction. Could someone please summarize the similarities and differences (or strengths and weaknesses) between the three types of joists (older dimensional 2 X 10 solid lumber, OSB I-joists, and the criss-crossed bracing type I-joist).
Thank you in advance.
Replies
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I apologize if this topic has already been covered, but I could not find an exact answer to my question so here goes. I should preface this question by stating that I am a homeowner (not a builder) and own a historic home (approximately 175 years old). Please excuse my ignorance when it comes to proper terminology and modern building standards.
I was recently looking at some examples of new home construction and observed two different floor joist types in addition to the older and simpler dimensional lumber 2 X 10 or 2 X 12. Both newer types were similar in design in that both were of an I-beam type construction. One type was what appeared to be OSB in the vertical dimension sandwiched between solid lumber flanges, producing a solid joist. The second type used criss-crossed lumber "braces" in place of the OSB producing a joist that you could pass wiring and other utilities through.
I have seen the OSB-type joists advertised in FHB and other publications, but I was not familiar with the latter type of joist and immediately wondered if it was better than the OSB-type joist (thus more desirable) or a cheaper imposter used in lesser quality construction. Could someone please summarize the similarities and differences (or strengths and weaknesses) between the three types of joists (older dimensional 2 X 10 solid lumber, OSB I-joists, and the criss-crossed bracing type I-joist).
Thank you in advance.