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Building Homes or Extensions/tying floor joists to a taller exterior wall

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Expert: - 6/6/2010


Question

shop bathroom
I'm building a 6' x 10' bathroom inside of a large shop with 12' balloon-framed walls. I have framed the interior walls, but want to cover the lid with 2 x 6 joists and OSB to use as a storage area. What is the best way to support the joists at the exterior wall? I was thinking of nailing a ledger down the 10' length and setting the joist tails on it.

Answer
Dear Bill,

For storage, you need to make sure the ledger is lag-screwed into wall studs. For good measure, put some construction adhesive there.

If you haven't sheathed the wall yet, as in the picture, you can take your 2x6 floor joists into the stud bay and overlap the studs. The disadvantage to this method is that you still need blocking up there for the lid, where the ledger would have been.

A third method is to notch 3/4" into the studs to inset your ledger. This gives you the most support and provides a nailer too. Since it is only a few studs to notch, that's my approach. Time spent doing it will pay off.

So many ways to do it!

I don't like using OSB for floors, since they don't hold up as well as 3/4 plywood. Depends on what you put up there. It's a small space, and I'm sure you'll be okay with OSB unless you wrestle that old V-8 engine block up there!

Good luck on your project.


Daniel

Daniel Humphrey

Expertise

I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.

Experience

I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.

Education/Credentials
B.A., M.F.A.

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