How to Install Joists

How to install joists? Dean: Hey, I’m Dean. Derek: And I'm Derek and we’re from DIY Networks. Dean: Indoors Out and we’re going to show you how to install joists for decking. Derek: Now what’s a joist? It’s the skeletal system for any good deck. Dean: Now, joist range anywhere from 2x8, 2x10 to 2x12. The standard is the 2x10, 10 inches wide. Derek: Dean and I recommend that when you go to get them at a lumber yard, pick out each joist personally. Dean: Exactly. Derek: Look at each one, stand it from the end and make sure that it’s straight. Dean: Get to know your joist. When you bring it to the jobsite the first thing you want to do is square one end because they don’t come perfectly square, so take a speed square, draw a straight line, chop it down, nice square cut. You’ll get the other end square once you get your exact measurement and make that cut. Derek: Once you figure out the length of your joist when you cut those its time to hang them. We’re going to do that with the 16D galvanized nail. Now to those nails we’ll tack the joist to the frame on either end. Dean: Now when we set that joist make sure you set it with the crown up. Every piece of wood has a slight crown kind of like a banana. Derek: Yes. Dean: Look straight down if the crown is going up that’s where you want it to be. Derek: Next, it’s time to hang the joist hangers. Now, those that were attached with the shorter galvanized nail into the frame, and then also towed in to the joist. Dean: I can’t tell you how many jobs Derek and I’ve seen. When they didn’t have joist hangers, and they’re pulling away from the frame, it’s very dangerous. Derek: That’s disaster in the making. Dean: Now if you’re running decking boards left to right, you want to set your joist 16 inches apart on the center. If they’re going on an angle, you want to make them 12 inches. Derek: That’s right and the last thing to do is make sure that you check the local codes in your area. Make sure that everything is done properly and by code, that way you’re not going to have any safety issues. Dean: And you can, do it yourself. Derek: Yes, Dean said that. If he says it, that’s true. Dean: You can do it.