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Posted: 16th March 2023 | Author: Adam Brown | Category: Metalwork
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Joist hangers are a form of builders' metalwork used in a variety of construction projects. Sometimes referred to as jiffy hangers, they're often involved in the structural framework of buildings. As their name suggests, their main purpose is to help fix joists in place, either to other timbers or to masonry walls. Using joists eliminates the need to make holes in the masonry, as well as reducing the risk of damp penetration in timbers.
Although joist hangers are typically used in building construction, they're also good for other jobs. For example, you might use joist hangers when building a wooden deck. Corrosion-resistant metals such as galvanised steel are usually used to make joist hangers. This ensures long-lasting durability and strength.
Making sure you know how to use joist hangers correctly is vital if you want to tackle those all-important joist-fitting jobs - and that includes knowing when to use each type.
Joist hangers feature a U-shaped metal structure inside which the joist sits, allowing screws to be drilled through the hanger and into the timber to fix the joist in place. It’s best to use square cut timbers for joists, and to ensure the joist hanger is well positioned, place it up against the masonry or timber - whichever you’re fixing the joist to. Make sure the end of the joist is flat against the surface, then position the joist hanger so it’s flush against both the joist and the surface. Use a pencil to mark the positions of the screw holes. Now you can take the joist away from the wall or timber and attach the hanger.
Once the joist itself is secure within the hanger, the hanger can then be fixed to masonry or timber, depending on the type. This is done using screws or, in some cases, nails. Where joists are fixed to masonry, it’s important to make sure that at least three courses of brickwork are in place above the fixing point in order to hold the joist in place. You’ll also need to make sure that any newly installed masonry is fully secured and matured before you install joists. Simply put, if the wall supporting and securing the joist isn’t itself structurally sound, the joist will be less effective and may come away from the wall.
But before you install any joists, it pays to consider which type of hanger is best for the job.
Not all joist hangers are appropriate for all purposes, and it’s important to choose the right type for the job you’re doing. Below we’ll explain the differences between some of the various types of joist hanger.
As the name implies, timber to timber joist hangers are best suited to jobs where you need to fix joists to other timbers, such as beams or trusses. Without a joist hanger, this job would require you to cut a notch into one of the timbers so that the other could slot in and rest in place. As well as being less secure, this increases the surface area of open ended timber for damp to penetrate. Additionally, as you might imagine, cutting part of the timber compromises its durability and strength.
This type of hanger will typically have larger top flanges to increase the surface area connecting timber to timber. This increases the load-bearing capacity of the connection by spreading the weight across a greater surface area.
Conversely, timber to masonry joist hangers are designed for use in fixing joists to masonry walls. This is common when fixing joists to external walls of a building, but some internal walls will also involve masonry. Cutting holes into masonry walls so that joists can be inserted is time-consuming and very difficult to get right, resulting in ill-fitting fixtures. Masonry joist hangers reduce the need for this by making it possible to fix a joist to a masonry wall without significant alterations to the structure.
For lighter loads and short-span joists, mini joist hangers may be sufficient. These are smaller hangers which have a lesser load-bearing capacity, but may be the more economical choice for projects that don’t require the extra strength provided by standard joist hangers.
Deeper timber-to-timber joists may need more support than that provided by a standard hanger. This is where the long leg joist hanger comes in handy. With a greater weight-bearing capacity, these hangers are ideal for heavy-duty applications. For example, they're often used in loft conversions and underfloor support structures.
This list of different types of joist hangers isn’t exhaustive by any means. You can find hangers specialised to any number of applications within the construction industry. Whichever type you choose, make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully. With proper preparation, knowledge and your construction know-how, hanging joists is simple.
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The Author: Adam Brown
With a background as a Mechanical Engineer, I started Nationwide Supplies alongside my brother with a vision to modernise what seemed a stuck-in-its-ways industry in the builders merchant sector. Since 2011 it has been my goal to source quality products at the correct prices to be able to offer a saving to customers along with high quality customer service which offers quick delivery and superior technical knowledge in the industry.
