Framing Wall Parallel Floor Joists

Floor joists are typically 2 by 8s 2 by 10s or 2 by 12s.

Framing wall parallel floor joists.

Generally floor or ceiling joists run parallel to the rafters. To solve this problem install some pieces of lumber every 16 in between the two floor joist where the wall is supposed to go as you can see in the previous picture to the left of the window then nail your top plate to these pieces. If you have 3 or 4 inch diameter pipes running through the wall make the wall from 2 x 6 inch boards. However there is a large double 2x10 header above the entry way see picture 4 in this wall supported by a jack stud on either end see picture 5.

You may need to lift insulation or plywood to see the joists. Unless you have a finished attic the ceiling joists are typically exposed. Ceiling joists are usually 2 by 6s or sometimes 2 by 4s if it is an older home. In some circumstances the wall s top plate aligns with a parallel joist which provides an anchorage surface but still requires blocking to accommodate ceiling drywall.

Blocking for i joists parallel to lower walls in basement brian i the walls are parallel to the i s we nail a 2x block to the top side of the bottom web at 24 to intervals the attach a 2x4 or 6 to the blocks. It s 1 5 inches lower so you have to bump it up a bit to do the blocking correctly above the flanges. This brings it down to plane with the underside of the i s and act as a drywall backer and nailer to attach the wall. If the joists are parallel to the new wall adjust the layout so that the wall is directly under a joist.

But the bottom of the i joist isn t even with the sill plate. The blocking provides a nailing surface for walls that fall between joists and serves as an evenly spaced fastening surface for finish materials such as drywall. Floor joists and ceiling joists serve similar purposes. When framing a basement wall parallel to the floor joists the problem you have is that there may not be anything to fasten the top plate of the wall to.

The wall in this case is parallel with the joists so you need blocking between the sill plate and the 1st i joist. Some newer homes have manufactured i beam shaped joists. This wall is running parallel to the floor joists above see picture 4. You would be able to check if this is the case in your home by going up into the attic.

In residential construction the floor sheathing is generally sufficient to support the vertical load from a non bearing partition wall that is parallel to the floor joists. Score 1 for being non load bearing. If the joists run perpendicular to the wall an adjustment should not be necessary. A floor s framework is made up mostly of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals.