What’s an I-Joist?

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I-joists are engineered wood joists used in modern constructions, consisting of a flange, web, and mesh. They are glued together and left to dry before installation. They provide support for floors and beams and are more durable than solid lumber. Correct installation is crucial to avoid cracking or squeaky floors. Hiring a professional contractor is recommended.

An I-joist is a type of engineered wood joist that is often used in place of a traditional wood joist. The I-joist is used in many modern constructions, from homes to industrial spaces. Even though most of these joists are relatively small, a typical I-joist is capable of withstanding a great deal of pressure.
The medium I-beam consists of two main parts: the flange and the web. The piece of plywood, lumber or board that is placed between each flange is known as the “mesh”. The two pieces of wood placed on the top and bottom of the tape are known as the flanges. Since the flanges hold the web together, the web also holds each flange in place. The I-joist gets its name from the shape that is created when the web and flanges are joined to form an “I”.

Once the core and flanges have been cut to the builder’s specifications, waterproof industrial glue is placed inside each flange. After inserting the web into the flange area, the web is then glued into the flange. The finished product is then left to dry at room temperature for one or two hours. The size and depth of an I-joist can vary greatly depending on the amount of weight a joist must support.

This type of joist was originally created to provide support for floorboards and beams. Prior to the invention of the I-joist in 1969, solid lumber was used to support both floors and beams. While a solid piece of wood may bend, break, twist, or warp, a purpose-built joist won’t succumb to wear and tear from pressure. Also, floors that are installed using I-beams won’t creak as much as floors that don’t have I-beams.

Either way, these joists are totally effective. Only, an I-beam that hasn’t been installed correctly could be harmful. Before installing any type of joist, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Many people make the mistake of inserting the web into the flanges incorrectly and this can cause the joist to crack.

Also, a joist must be given adequate time to dry before attempting to install this type of support. If a joist is not allowed to dry properly, the result could be squeaky floors. While I-joists can be installed by homeowners, hiring a professional contractor to ensure these joists are installed correctly is a wise idea.




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