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I-joists are strong, lightweight, "I" shaped engineered wood structural members that meet demanding performance standards. I-joists are comprised of top and bottom flanges, which resist bending, united with webs, which provide outstanding shear resistance. The flange material is typically laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or solid sawn lumber, and the web is made with plywood or OSB. The robust combination of structural characteristics results in a versatile, economical framing member that is easy to install in residential and light commercial projects.
I-joists are used extensively in residential floor and roof framing. They are ideal for long spans, including continuous spans over intermediate supports. Because I-joists are straight and true, it's easier for builders to avoid crowning and maintain a level framing surface. In addition, wood I-joists are typically stocked and readily available in depths that meet the needs of residential framing.
9-1/2", 11-7/8", 14", 16". Flange widths vary from 1-1/2" to 3-1/2"; long lengths are readily available.
I-joists are popular for floor and roof framing. Many APA member-manufacturers have software design tools; contact the manufacturer (at right) for more information.
APA Performance Rated I-joists (PRIs) are manufactured in accordance with APA PRI-400, Performance Standard for Residential I-joists. This Performance Standard provides an easy-to-use table of allowable spans for applications in residential floor construction, allowing designers and builders to select and use I-joists from various member manufacturers using just one set of span tables. APA PRIs are recognized through ICC-ES ESR-.
APA trademarks appear only on products manufactured by APA member mills. The mark signifies that product quality is subject to verification through APA audit&#;a procedure designed to assure manufacture in conformance with APA performance standards or the standard shown in the mark.
Includes information on span ratings, installation details, cantilever designs, architectural specifications and engineering design properties for APA Performance Rated I-Joists.
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Access a complete list of APA publications about I-joists in APA's Resource Library.
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Learn about several options that enhance the fire performance of I-joist floor systems and comply with the International Residential Code (IRC) by visiting the I-Joist Fire Assemblies page.
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A discussion of the durability and safety of wood I-joist floor assemblies in structure fires. Includes APA&#;s recommendation to increase the fire endurance of all floor-joist assemblies based on the International Building Code.
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Contains Q&A concerning fire protective coatings. Certification and inspection of products treated with fire-protective coatings are outside the scope of APA.
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APA, AWC and WIJMA jointly developed this paper that describes the history, background and intent of the IRC provisions for fire protection of floors as well as the methods used for establishing equivalence and compliance with these fire protection requirements.
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APA, AWC and WIJMA jointly developed this paper that describes the basic code recognition for prefabricated wood I-joists and the need for product certification in compliance with the codes.
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APA developed this paper that describes the basic fire protection requirements for prefabricated wood I-joists with factory-applied fire protection solutions for compliance with the codes.
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I built a house last year and used them. I did not want a bouncy floor either and if designed right, it won't be bouncy. I sized them myself on the plans from span tables available. I am a mechanical engineer but didn't try to do real calcs as that is done in the span tables. My builder thought I over-sized them so we ran it by the civil engineer at the supplier and he agreed with me. So, left to some builders and others, I could see how you could end up with a structurally safe but bouncy floor. The floor is flat as a flitter (that might be a local saying). I am happy with them. If you use them make sure the builder installs "squash blocks" at all load bearing points above which is typically the ends where exterior walls are and other interior load bearing areas. They should not pass framing inspection without the squash blocks. They are readily available in stock lengths and delivered faster than floor trusses. The negative compared to trusses is running duct work, pipe, wire, etc through them. I would not frame with 2X lumber again for floors.
I will add that mine are above minimum allowable in the tables. They are 14 and a fraction tall, on 16" centers, with a large LVL beam at midspan and span from end to center beam is about 16'. The floor is glued and screwed with 3/4" Advantech subfloor. We have been here about 18 months now and the other day my wife commented "have you noticed there aren't any floor squeaks anywhere". The house we moved from was 2x12 joist, glued and nailed plywood subfloor with hardwood, built in and had floor squeaks lots of places.
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