Structural terms

Floor Joist

A floor joist is a horizontal structural member that supports floorboards, decking and the loads placed on a floor.

Floor joists usually span between load-bearing walls, beams or other designed supports. Their size, spacing and span affect the feel and strength of a floor. Direction of span can also reveal which walls are carrying floor loads.

In Edinburgh tenements and older houses, existing timber floors may contain past alterations, unevenness or decayed joist ends where timber meets masonry. Floor repairs need to address the cause of damage as well as the affected member.

Removing a supporting wall, cutting a new stair opening or adding heavy loads may require an engineer to assess the joists and their bearings. A general joist can also support a roof; a floor joist refers to the floor structure.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Terraced House Traditional Cottage Georgian Flat Converted Flat Detached House Semi-detached House

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Structural Alterations

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