Floor Joist Cross Bracing Has Moved

How to brace your floor studs.

Floor joist cross bracing has moved.

Bracing will stiffen a floor system prevent floor joists from twisting and increase overall stability however there are actually two types of floor joist bracing commonly used. Figure 1 cross and solid bridging with load on floor. Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight. Figure 2 incorrect installation of cross bridging.

Thd sku 205173. Residential building code requires the use of cross bracing or blocking for floor joists exceeding 2 inches by 12 inches but many homes especially older ones have. Even if your joists already have a row of bridging at the center of the span adding a row on each side of the existing bridging will stiffen the floor. Simpson strong tie tension bridging galvanized steel the ltb s are used in floor systems to resist the overturning of floor joists and features a staggered nail pattern.

I would say about 50 of the crawlspaces i inspect have cross bracing installed between each joist but never compleated. Meaning the top end was nailed but the bottm ends were not. Would you consider this an issue after 30 years of no problems and would you recommend they be finished. I have also observed that no twisting or movement issues were found and many homes are 20 years or older.

Install with two 6d common nails per end. Cross bracing and solid blocking.