A joist hanger is U shaped metallic structure that is used to support a wooden joist structure. A good joist hanger securely connects the joists and beams to one another. Joist hangers are available in galvanized and stainless steel finish with different load strengths and different angles. Some of these joist hangers are specially designed to withstand different environmental conditions.
Construction of a building without a concrete slab will involve the usage of joist hangers to support the joists and to attach the floor joist to a girder joist. Joist hangers are generally made up of metal and they are coated with a galvanized layer. This layer will prevent the metal joist hanger from getting corroded under the stress and load and other atmospheric conditions. It is important to use the nails specified or supported by the metal joist hanger you are using while attaching it to the frame of your home.
To use a joist hanger, you should first have to measure the dimensions of the metal joist hanger you are using. Then mark the girder joist with half the width length of the metal joist hanger on either side of floor joist with a carpenter pencil. Extend each mark with the help of carpenters square on both sides of joist centreline. Now, align one side of metal joist hanger with the line you have marked. Then align the bottom of the joist hanger with the bottom of the girder joist. Now, place proper fasteners or nails, in to the nail-holes of the joist hanger and then hammer them tightly. Repeat the process for each floor joist you need to connect to the rider joist. Slide the joist in to the fixed metal joist hanger. Make sure that the joist is firmly present on the bottom of metal joist hanger. Again place a nail in to the nail hole of side of joist hanger that is facing towards the joist and hammer it properly.
To attach a joist hanger securely, you will need to mark the point where your joist is going to be installed and extend it by using a hand square to the down of the framing structure the joist will be attached to. Place the joist on the layout line that you have drawn and then toe nail through the top edge using a hammer. Slip the joist hanger up under the joist keeping it flat to the wooden structure to which it is being attached. Using small pointed nail tabs, hold the joist hanger temporarily in place with a hammer. Then use specified nails to fix the joist hanger permanently to the structure. Hammer the nails properly and make sure that the joist hanger is firmly attached to the structure.