I've just had to cut out and replace a section of chipboard type floorboarding that had started cracking up and pulling away the T&G (for some reason the join line was not ON the joists, but just off them. On cutting out the failing section I found that the floorjoists had a crossed couple of battens between them.
OG
In message , OG writes
Yep! I've got similar in my 1985 house.
Typical full stop. They're called twisters. They help prevent the joists warping.
Yes, they are to stop the long, deep but relatively thin joists waving/moving about.
are only 4". I suppose it is dependent on the spans, my max is ~11ft in a
1930's house.
One hopes so, as it leads to a substantially stiffer floor.
Did the chip get damp or what? Unusual to have it go...
Are you sure its a house and not a bungalow that someone has converted the attic?
4" is not deep enough for floor joists over 11' imho
Well 70 odd years must say something, that and the other identical 100 odd houses built the same way. Obviously building standards have come on some but I'd say it was adequate. The one real design flaw is the cold bridge concrete sills downstairs.
I think its a combination of [1] 'over bed cupboards' that means we step down off the bed more often [2] significantly increased weight for both mr and mrs over last 20 years (esp mr!).
4x2 over 11ft is workable, though only just. Just dont ever get a piano or waterbed in there! And dont do jumping exercises. Should never have been built that light, but there ya go. For all we know the 2x4 may have been stiffened a bit by noggins.
NT
Depends a bit on the spacing and the tickness of the, not doubt, real floor boards attached to the top. 4x2 at 9" spacing with good solid 1" thick T&G floorboards, double angle nailed at every crossing would make a fairly firm floor.
4x2 at modern 18" spacing with thick cornflake packet sheets for flooring attached on an 18" grid would be just a tad springy... B-)
Ah. I have 8x2 oak on its SIDE here..and yes, over 3 meters its springy all right.
Ho ho ho, my mistake it is 7" - amazing how you (I) misremember dimensions, and by nearly 100%
7" on the 1st floor 4" on the ground with soldier walls making max span ~6ftGood to keep you on your toes!
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