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General => General Forum => Topic started by: sgleaton on January 04, 2010, 01:08:40 PM

Title: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: sgleaton on January 04, 2010, 01:08:40 PM
Just checking myself. Exactly what is the best way to place the perimeter boards and joists, on top of the beam or forego the perimeter board and use joist hangers and place the floor joists level with the beams? Everything I find is only for concrete or block foundations and I have confused myself.
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: rocking23nf on January 04, 2010, 01:18:48 PM
Either way is acceptable around here, the inspector told me I could do either one.  Just dont make my mistake, loading my hangers with screws. They are meant to be used with nails.

Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: lockman on January 04, 2010, 01:41:11 PM
One disadvantage of putting the joists inside the beams is that you can't run any electrical wires or plumbing lines through the beams and up into the wall above.
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: Don_P on January 04, 2010, 02:22:16 PM
Wood on wood is almost always structurally better than wood hanging by nails from the side of a beam. That is not always the only factor in the decision but is a good default position to start from.
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: MountainDon on January 04, 2010, 02:49:47 PM
Like Don+P said, the nice thing about placing joists on the beams is the fasteners don't do any of the work at holding the structure up. I've always liked that best, unless there is a need to reduce the building height. Using joist hangers gets it lower by the depth of the joists. Joists on top also eliminate the need and $$ for the hanger hardware.
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: sgleaton on January 04, 2010, 02:58:02 PM
AS always, great responses. Since I will be doing a 6x6 PT post, I will have the ability to adjust the height as needed. I thought on top of the beams would be better versus hanging from the hangers.

Next question, the perimeter board (learning lingo so not sure here), I will tie it directly into the beams by toe nailing, correct?

I just ran across the post 16x20 Deer Run by ScottA. I really like the pictures he has posted because they show a lot of what I have questions about. I will be studying through that post to learn more. I really like the way he did the piers instead of 6x6 PT posts. Those are 8x8x16 and 8x8x8 cinder block, right? It seems that would be much better than the wood posts...
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: MountainDon on January 04, 2010, 04:56:28 PM
Quote from: sgleaton on January 04, 2010, 02:58:02 PM

Next question, the perimeter board (learning lingo so not sure here), I will tie it directly into the beams by toe nailing, correct?


By perimeter board, I believe you mean rim joist. Sort of like these are nailed to the ends of the actual joists...

(https://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/djmillerbucket/jemez%20mtn%20property/mini-IMG_3432.jpg)

You could toe nail them to the beam, if the beam is right under the edge. However, it is not needed if the joists laying across the beam is nailed to the beam.

In the above picture that is all PT wood as it is too close to the ground for non treated wood.
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: sgleaton on January 04, 2010, 05:02:50 PM
A big sigh of relief on this end.  ???

I knew that was right MountainDon but I have been trying to be so careful in learning this that I overthought the process. Now that you have mentioned it, I remember doing that exact thing when I built my parents the screen room we have. Just so afraid that I will do something wrong I guess.

Now I understand the deal about being over cautious causing fear. I know that there is a great group of carpenters and builders on here who have gone before me, which will provide me with more knowledge and information should I require it. I am so thankful and lucky to have found this forum.

You guys rock!
Title: Re: Post and Beam foundation plus subfloor
Post by: MountainDon on January 04, 2010, 06:44:04 PM
Ask all the questions you need to before you cut a piece of wood or nail one in place. It is much easier to do that than to cut and nail first and then find out there's a problem. We see some of that and it's sad.