Nails or screws both work fine for this. You might look at whether the subfloor (lumber or plywood) joints needed the additional splices for support. If the 2′ splices are above the existing joist (which your description sounds like) they were installed in an attempt to level the floor due to sagging joists.

Do screws weaken joists?

Meaning you could easily put screws a good 40-50% of the dimensional thickness of the lumber with no repercussions. You could put in those hooks every foot on every rafter and they would have no impact at all.

Are nails or screws better for floor joists?





If you are doing basic construction such as attaching floor joists to deck framing, nails are the best fastener. Nails are used in most all framing and structural situations. The time to use screws is when you are building something where forces will be applied in a parallel direction.

Can I use screws instead of nails for joist hangers?

The manufacturers agree: Never use galvanized deck screws or drywall screws to install joist hangers. Those screws don’t have the shank size and toughness to support joist loads.

Can you use screws for joist blocking?

Square down from the chalkline on one side of every joist to provide a reference line for installing the blocking. 10. Through-screw the blocking where possible. Use at least two screws per end to secure the blocking.

How do you strengthen floor joists?

The best way to strengthen floor joists from underneath is to make a supporting mid-span beam or wall beneath the wobbling joists. Using jack posts or 6×6 posts and 2×10 or 2×8 beams perpendicular to the joists will solve any wobble and ensure your joists never move again.

How long do floor joists last?





Wood floor trusses can be expected to last as long as the home itself (100+ years), if maintained in a stable, reasonabley dry environment. Moisture from excessive humidity, condensation, or plumbing leaks, along with termites are the problems that can shorten a floor truss life.

Why can you not use screws for framing?

Our inspectors have seen a disturbing trend of late: people using wood or deck screws when building structural elements. This means ordinary wood screws cannot be used to attach rafters to top plates, or joists to beams. Nor can wood screws be used to install joist hangers.

How do you secure a subfloor to joists?


Quote from Youtube video: And in the panel grooves. Then fasteners should be placed 3/8 inch from the edge and spaced six inches apart along the panel edges and twelve inches apart along the intermediate supports.

Can you use screws on subfloor?

Screws need to be twisted into the subfloor, which takes more time than simply shooting a nail into subfloor material. However, some screw guns, like the Senco DuraSpin DS440-AC, are auto-fed. A collated strip of screws in this case makes screwing subfloors a little faster, although it’s not as swift as nailing.

How do you block between joists?



Fasten Blocking Between Joists



Use 10d nails in a staggered pattern and face nail the blocking through the joists. One nail at the top and bottom will suffice. Alternating allows you to quickly nail each block without toe-nailing.

Can you nail into floor joist?

Toenailing with 8d Nails



Blocking to a joist does the same thing, but is used to support the load of long stretches of floor joists by inserting perpendicular wood board pieces between the floor joists at several places where the load is the greatest.

Can I use screws for blocking?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Why is because in order to secure blocks. Usually you just screw them in from the outside on each of the joists.

Are 2×6 OK for floor joists?



2x6s may be used for floor joists, ceiling joists, or rafters and have differing spans for the same grades and species. Loads are divided into live or snow loads and dead load considerations. A plank used for a floor joist commonly has different load factors than a ceiling joist or rafter.

Do floor joists need cross bracing?

Related Articles. If your floor seems bouncy or saggy, you may need to consider cross bracing your floor joists. Floor joist bracing is often necessary in older homes where the existing joists may have worn out over time.

How do you attach floor joists to beams?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So kind of like we were doing with this double-header. I like to get get the joist right in the middle of our layout and then nail that first nail.

Do floor joists have to sit on a beam?

Floor joists spread the loads bearing from above, and must be framed adequately to complete the load paths. Ideally, if a load-bearing wall runs parallel to floor joists, then it should sit directly over a beam or a joist supported by a load-bearing wall below.

How long can floor joists be without support?



With 16” spacing, a floor joist can span up to 14′ as long as it is not cantilevered and terminates with support on either end. If the joists are 24” apart, then one 2×10 joist can span up to 11′ 5”.

Can you use joist hangers for floor joists?

Joist hangers not only simplify the framing process but also strengthen the deck or floor you are building. When hanging floor joists, use joist hangers to make building a floor deck simpler. Place hangers every 16 inches on center. Position each hanger using the tab to hold it in place.

What screws to use for floor joists?

The proper steel screw sizes for securing 3/4-inch plywood to the floor joists are #8, #10 and #12 screws. The number refers to the thickness of the screw. Each is available in lengths from 1 1/4 to 3 inches. Typically, the 3-inch variety is used to secure plywood subfloors.

Are joist hangers stronger than screws?

Joist hangers are better because they allow for more accurate placement of joists. They also allow for toe-nailing, plus support the underside of the joist. This makes the hanger stronger than a toe-nail. While joist hangers are an expense, the ease and increased strength make them a better choice.