Ceiling rafters attached to header

Option 1: Make the header a standard construction with king and cripple studs. This is the usual method, but it will require opening up the wall.

Option 2: Use the joist hangers, but carve out the back of the wallboard.

on 3/7/2009 9:17 AM (ET) SteveBell wrote the following:

Option 3: Rabbet the joist ends to accommodate the thickness of the hangers.

That is the best solution. Only take a few minutes with a router and won't weaken the joists.

Harry K

But it weakens the header. That's worse that weakening the joists.

I think he's talking about removing a 1/4" or so off the bottom of the joist, and just the few inches of length needed to accommodate the bottom of the joist hanger. I do this, but with a hand planer rather than router.

You want to recess the bottom of the hanger a bit rather than aiming for flush on new construction since the joist is going to shrink. You'll see an 1/8" to 1/4" gap between the bottom of the hanger and the joist in many basements.

OK. That makes sense. I though he wanted to rabbet a groove into the header to receive the end of the joist. It was obviously too early.