10
Versa Lift
Opening Framing Techniques
Optional Framing Technique #4 - For existing homes
with I-JOISTS: (How to Fabricate Headers for I-Joists)
The procedure is generally the same as with I-Joists on
the prior page, but when the home is a finished
construction (already built and owned) you may not have
extra I-Joist pieces from which to construct headers. First
you should check with local building supplies, but if you
can’t
find the same size I-Joists used to build your home
you may need a way to
construct headers from other
available material.
One way to address this problem is to construct headers
from
3/4”
plywood and 2 x
2”
rails (Fig. 17). Join the rails
to the plywood with wood glue and nails or screws.
Then attach offset blocking (Fig. 17) as previously
explained on page 9. Headers constructed this way will
have good strength and have the advantage of a smooth
face toward the opening. NOTE: The blocking is attached
flush with the ends
of the I-Joist Section when using
constructed headers with a flat inside surface (Fig. 17).
The opening must be framed
½”oversized
in only one
dimension (58 ½” x 31”) (Fig. 18), so that 1/4” thick
plywood can be cut (Fig. 19 inset) and used to panel the
two I-Joist faces inside the opening (Fig. 19) to produce a
final opening size of 58
½”
x 30
½”
(Fig. 19). Please note
that any nail heads in the opening must be set flush or
below the surface and decking and sheet rock must not
extend into the opening (Fig. 3).
NOTE: These illustrations show I-Joist on
24”
centers, but
this framing procedure can also be used for
16”
centers
(page 8). As with solid wood joists, I-Joists that need to
be cut must be supported by some means until they are
connected to headers that tie them to adjacent I-Joists.
Note: Joist hangers can be used instead of blocking.
Finish opening with 1/4” paneling to cover hangers
and create a smooth-sided opening (Fig. 19, then
install 2 x 2” flashing in every corner (Fig.
2b, pg. 5).
O.C.
CUT 1/4" PLYWOOD TO
PANEL INSIDE OF I-JOISTS
ST
Depending on location
and code requirements,
web stiffeners may be
required for I-Joist when
using hanger brackets.
Web Stiffener
I-Joist
Hanger
58.5"
30.5"
24”
O.C.
31”
58.5"
24”
Fig. 19
Fig. 18
INSTALL 2 x 2” FLASHING
INSIDE FINISHED OPENING
2x4"or2x6"
BLOCKING
(OFFSET)
2x4"or2x6"
BLOCKING
(SET FLUSH)
I-JOIST
SECTION
WOOD
GLUE
PLYWOOD
CONSTRUCTED
HEADERS
½ or 3/4"
PLYWOOD
2x4"or2x6"
BLOCKING
(OFFSET)
2x2"
2 x 2" TOP & BOTTOM RAILS
GLUE AND NAIL TO PLYWOOD
I-JOIST
PLYWOOD HEADER
BLOCK
USE 2" NAILS
or SCREWS
PLACE BLOCK
USE 2" NAILS
INTO INSET TO
or SCREWS
MARK OFFSET
WOOD
GLUE
Fig. 17
INSET
OFFSET
OFFSET LINE
2 EACH
JOI
581/4"
