Floor joists
Timber is a suitable material for joists in the majority of floors and STEICO I-joists provide a range of advantages that can improve your project in the right circumstances. Floor joists are a central component of any floor. They provide the strength a floor requires, as well as providing a structure for both the floor finish and insulation.
How floor joists work in an overall floor system
Floor joists are spaced evenly with a floor system and are designed to support all the floor loading and distribute that load onto the supporting structure.
In addition, floor joists provide the structure which allows for:
- Insulation to be installed between the joists, improving the acoustic and thermal performance of the floor.
- Decking material such as chipboard, plywood or OSB which are attached to the joists. Underlay and carpet or other finishes can then be installed on top of this decking.
Different types of available floor joists will be suitable for different buildings. The most common types include solid timber joists, timber i-joist or metal web joists.
Advantages of timber floor joists over other options
Timber i-joists are a popular option with several features that make it suitable for a wide range of building types, including:
- Weight – Due to the reduced thickness of the web material, timber i-joists provide a more lightweight solution which makes them quicker and easier to install.
- Sustainability goals – Timber can be sourced responsibly from PEFC-certified forests (PEFC/04-31-2550), and it binds carbon from the atmosphere through Lifecycle Stage A1, as defined in EN 15804+A2, rather than adding further emissions.
- Cost effective – Timber i-joists are typically supplied to site already cut to size. This makes them much quicker to install than solid timber options which can help to provide a more economical build process.
Features and benefits of STEICO I-joists when used as floor joists
STEICO I-joists are an engineered timber product made up of:
- Flanges which are Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL).
- The web section that joins the flanges which is made from Natural Fibre Boards.
This structure can provide the following benefits when used as floor joists:
- Up to 8% u-value improvement. Reduced thermal bridging due to the 8mm Natural Fibre Board web material. Can improve the u-value by up to 8% depending on the floor thickness
- Minimal shrinkage and twisting thanks to moisture content of just 9%.
- Sourced responsibly from PEFC accredited forests at the end of their life, so our I-joists are suitable for environmentally conscious build strategies.
