Floor Joists
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At left, you see the I-joists that form the backbone of the floor system.
Engineers have known for a long time that a beam in the shape of an I, when
looked at sideways, is a very strong structural component. You have probably seen the
robust steel I-beams used in high-rise buildings; the I-beams that are used in
our homes rely on the same basic design.
Today's houses use what is known as engineered lumber; here, the science of the I-beam is refined even further. Modern engineered I-beams are even stronger than their predecessors, and weigh less! They are also designed so that wiring harnesses and plumbing lines can pass through them without compromising their structural integrity. Finally, engineered lumber is much less susceptible to twisting & cracking. When moisture starts leaving traditional lumber, such as a 2 x 10, the moisture will cause the lumber to twist or crack. Engineered products resist this twisting and cracking. |