I am definitely strapping the upper floor, where my ceiling frames are truss chords on 24″ centers, but why should I strap my main floor, with the overhead floor joists at 16″ centers?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Get expert guidance on finding a fixer-upper that's worth the effort.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
It will increase strenghth of the floor frame system, reducing vibration and deflection, and it will reduce sound transmission tremendously. There are likely to be fewer nail pops in the sheetrock finish because vibration in joists from floor above is not directly transfered to the SR connection.
Excellence is its own reward!
I was wondering... what percentage of builders would routinely strap floors? Any statistics or estimates?
Tom
do you mean strap ceilings ? as in furring ceilings ?
in some parts of the country, it will be about 95 % ( New England & lots of East Coast )
in other parts of the country ( most of the country ) it will be about 5 %Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Yes I meant strapping the ceilings, to enhance the floor frame system.
Why the regional difference? The other guys just don't believe in it?
Tom
new here aren't you?
.
Excellence is its own reward!
Been away for a while.
Tom
Let's just say that in addition to the venting wars, the SR screw battle, the invasion of the trolls, and the Tavern politics, there has also been a strapping struggle..
Excellence is its own reward!
It's like the bridging brawl, right? See, I'm learning.
Tom
ROTFL
Ah, they're just putting on a show for your benefit.
;).
Excellence is its own reward!
actually, furring can be a subset of bridgingMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
While strapping may have some structural benefits, or not, I like to do it because it eases the install of the DW on the ceiling.
Piffin's reasons are good ones(as always)
But for a few extra bucks it really can make hanging a cieling easier.
anyone who doesn't want to spring for the cost of strapping should go to home cheapo and ask them what they think.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
But for a few extra bucks it really can make hanging a cieling easier.
anyone who doesn't want to spring for the cost of strapping should go to home cheapo and ask them what they think.
I'm curious. Does this mean that if you don't strap you think it's a "Cheapo" job?
I've stayed out of this because we never strap in NJ and I respect the way people do different things and there's top quality jobs done here every day without strapping.
If you are saying that people who don't strap do a "Cheapo" job, that's only in your mind.
That would mean in your mind that all these million dollar homes or any home going up around here without strapping are "Cheapo" jobs. That's totally False.
I agree it gives you more nailer but the sheetrockers around here have never had a problem nailing to an 1-1/2" beam befor.
So, are you saying that States that don't strap do "Cheapo" jobs?
Correct me if I'm wrong.
I just wanted to add. I've been framing almost 20 years now and never stick framed a roof 2' centers befor and never heard of it until I came around here and also guys using 1/2" plywood with 2' centers.
We frame 16" centers with 5/8" plywood on roofs, no 1/2".
I could sit here and say that everybody who frames 2' centers with 1'2" plywood does Cheap work but to me that's not a fair statement if people are doing it and getting good results.
I personally think that if we can put roof truss 2' o/c, we should be able to stick frame rafters 2' o/c but do you farme the ceiling joist 2' o/c to nail to the rafters? Now that's a question I'm curious about.
Joe Carola
Edited 6/22/2003 11:41:36 AM ET by Framer
Joe
I never even heard of strapping a ceiling till I saw a kitchen ceiling on TOH with it.
I also don't get how it makes the crowning any or much better since youre still nailing to the crowns of the rafters anyway and pretty much following their imperfections.
Round these here parts we use briding. Its code besides a good idea.
All the houses or additions I ever did no rocker had a problem nailing to 2xs....Probably a buncha baby rockers in other parts ot the country...lol.
LAst house I lived in and built there wasnt one squeek cept from a cpl of mice and I lived there five years.
Strapping looks pretty though.
Be well
andy
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
Fantastic...just noticed it now!
In addition, strapping lessons the chances of my guys falling through joist bays while installing collar ties. Keeps the comp rates down ya know?
In addition, strapping lessons the chances of my guys falling through joist bays while installing collar ties. Keeps the comp rates down ya know?
LOL....now theres one good reason....never thought of that.
As far as precuts go. I'm changing a part of the plans of the additions I'm doing on my house and using all 2x6 exterior walls even though the plans call for 2x4's especially since most all ceilings will be 9' high. And they even have precuts for 2x6's 9' high.
I never realized that cause I hardley ever use them. Although it may be code here again as of this past JAn 1. My plans were submitted the 29th of 02.
BE well
a
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Newbie here!
Could someone post a picture of what exactly you're talking about.
Is strapping putting up furring strips (like 1x's) perpendicullar to the framing or are you talking about sheathing the inside of a framed structure or are you talking about something else entirely?
Many thanks in advanced,
-T
"Is strapping putting up furring strips (like 1x's) perpendicullar to the framing"
Yep, this picture is with ceiling strapped, ready for interior partitions.
Attached is a graphic of the upper floor of my current project, now finishing up foundation stage. The reason I am showing this is to ask a question raised by one of the recent posts to this thread. You know, the one with the photo. I believe the description accompanying the photo was something like, "strapping up and ready for partitions."
What comes first, strapping or interior wall work?
It would certainly be easier to strap this whole booger with the trusses on and no interior wall work done yet, but my framer's intent is to build all the walls, then place trusses.
So what is up with you guys that strap always, when you have a trussed job like this?
I was sort of looking at the strapping as the means of bracing and fixing wall tops, for the interior walls. Sort of a way to eliminate those Simpson STC truss clips, that let the truss chord raise up off the plate while still fixing the plate's lateral position. For walls parallel to the strapping, straps up tight to the top plates, both sides, do the same job as the STC clip. For walls perpendicular to the strapping direction, we might just but the strap ends up tight to the plate edges. Again, same effect as the STCs.
On another note, I will want to remind my wall and ceiling finish guys not to screw rock sheets to straps at wall perimeters, and hold back all screws for ceiling panels a good 12", because of truss chord movement potential, straps or no straps.
So, what do you strappers do? Strap first, interior walls second? And secondly, how do you handle fixing of wall tops when strapping, and the walls are parallel to trusses, and therefore perpendicular to straps?
You can do it in either order. For one like that, it would be easier strapping first but I can see that it will be much easier to raise and ty the walls together with no trusses up.
I don't use trusses so can't comment on the other items.
Since most of mine is remodeling, the walls are generally already there. When a house has settled and has sags, the strapping heals that up. I shim level to the lowest point. That means that there are times when each room has a different finished ceiling level..
Excellence is its own reward!
Don't tell Boss, but I can't help you with trusses.
I was wondering if anyone would pick up on framing the interior partitions under strapping, good question.Frame it solid, strap, and do interior partitions. Interior partitions are fill work, the goal is to get it weathered in.
That pic showed strapping after the exterior walls and bearing wall, in a simple house. The interior partitions are framed in like a day, under the strapping. I actually framed the interior walls in one day myself, easy day.
If you notice, the second story wasn't built yet, because clean up and strapping was busy work over the weekend, while I waited for Monday lumber. Strapping is always busy/fill in work, and costs next to nothing, for what you save.
I would also be obliged if you don't notice I muffed the garage joist layout. I was so unmicro...one of these days I will do a perfect job.
Edited 6/23/2003 8:20:39 PM ET by Qtrmeg
We rarely strap around here (BC). When you know you're going to strap a standard 8' ceiling do you frame your walls to compensate, or do you let the drywaller deal with it?
'Round here 8' cielings are not standard! Our studs are usually pre-cuts that come in at 88, 92 5/8 or 104 5/8. The 88's are usually in condo's or big box colonial cookie cutter developments. The 92 5/8" precuts are very common, especially for second floor bedrooms and baths and with three plates they work out to a perfect 97 1/8". The 104 5/8" precuts are pretty popular for first floors (kitchen, dining rm, living rm etc). Drywallers are always on their own here (Boston).
All the houses or additions I ever did no rocker had a problem nailing to 2xs....Probably a buncha baby rockers in other parts ot the country...lol.
It's funny you said that about nailing to 2x's. when I framed out in Cape Cod, the guys couldn't believe that we nailed /screwed sheetrock to 1-1/2", at the butt joints you only have 3/4" on each side. I said to one guy then if everyone keeps using you have more nailer for sheetrock when you strap, then I said well why don't you strap all the 2x4 walls, there only 1-1/2".
I guess it's just a ceiling thing.
Round these here parts we use briding. Its code besides a good idea.
I 've always used bridging on floor joists and we use strongback on ceiling joists.. Never seen a house without bridging until I-joists.
Joe Carola
Joe
What bridging you like using most?
Wood or that wrap around metal bridging?
I've never used the wood..always the metal.
Be well
andy
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
We always use 5/4x3 cross bridging when framing with 2x's. I set up a jig and cut millions. lol
The house I'm framing now where using I-joists and this was the first time I used bridging and it's metal.
Joe Carola
I'm just saying that I have framed and rocked in regions where strapping was and was not used and for my money and trouble strapping is a no brainer.
JMNSHO
Do whatever you like, advocate whatever you want.
So will I.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
One by 3 spruce strapping on joists and rafters in preparation for dry wall serve all the purposes mentioned as well as it flattens the ceiling. The variations in the dimensions of the joists as well as the crowns can be bridged by the cross strapping. It averages the variations so to speak. It also fastens the bottom of the joists so that the joists don't twist and deform as easily in time. When a joist or stud has been fixed on one side only the unfastened edge can move. So a drywalled partition for example needs to have both sides of the studs covered and nailed otherwise the stud will twist and deform the finished wall surface. the same principle holds for joists. A top floor ceiling will often times have a strong back nailed to the attic side which keeps the joists from moving and stiffens the whole system. A first floor/ceiling platform will be fixed on the top with plywood and on the bottom with strapping and drywall.
It is also easier to insulate when there is strapping on the ceiling and access is restricted from above.