Category Construction Glossary
House Framing Ceiling Joists
If trusses are being used, the trust layout will be provided from the truss
manufacturer. The bottom chord of the truss will be the ceiling joist. Trusses
will be laid out and installed as provided by the truss manufacturer. If trusses
are not being used, regular 2x6 lumber or larger will be used for ceiling joists
depending on the structure. Regular ceiling joists layout is 16 inch on center.
However, 24 inch on center can be used but will require 5/8 sheet rock on the
ceiling. Once all the ceiling joists are laid out and installed, it will be necessary
to install deadwood and blocking where needed in order to secure sheet rock.
If Ceiling joists are butted together on top of a wall, it is normally good practice
to block the joint. The other alternative would be to lap the ceiling joists at
least 6 inches. When trusses are used, the manufacture will provide a specific
detail for bracing the bottom cords of the ceiling joist. When regular framing
lumber is used for ceiling joists, the ceiling joists will require a strong back
nailed across the top. The strong back is run perpendicular and normally in
the center of a room’s ceiling joists. The strong back is made up of a 2x4
nailed flat on top of the ceiling joists with 2x6 nailed vertically to the side of the
2x4. The end of the ceiling joist along the exterior walls will require the top
corner to be cut off. This cut is the same angle as the pitch of the roof. This
prevents the end of the ceiling joists from sticking up above the roof. Once all
the ceiling joist are nailed and secure, the rafters are ready to be laid out and
installed.
If trusses are being used, the trust layout will be provided from the truss
manufacturer. The bottom chord of the truss will be the ceiling joist. Trusses
will be laid out and installed as provided by the truss manufacturer. If trusses
are not being used, regular 2x6 lumber or larger will be used for ceiling joists
depending on the structure. Regular ceiling joists layout is 16 inch on center.
However, 24 inch on center can be used but will require 5/8 sheet rock on the
ceiling. Once all the ceiling joists are laid out and installed, it will be necessary
to install deadwood and blocking where needed in order to secure sheet rock.
If Ceiling joists are butted together on top of a wall, it is normally good practice
to block the joint. The other alternative would be to lap the ceiling joists at
least 6 inches. When trusses are used, the manufacture will provide a specific
detail for bracing the bottom cords of the ceiling joist. When regular framing
lumber is used for ceiling joists, the ceiling joists will require a strong back
nailed across the top. The strong back is run perpendicular and normally in
the center of a room’s ceiling joists. The strong back is made up of a 2x4
nailed flat on top of the ceiling joists with 2x6 nailed vertically to the side of the
2x4. The end of the ceiling joist along the exterior walls will require the top
corner to be cut off. This cut is the same angle as the pitch of the roof. This
prevents the end of the ceiling joists from sticking up above the roof. Once all
the ceiling joist are nailed and secure, the rafters are ready to be laid out and
installed.