BC EWP | I-Joist 101

What Are I-Joists?

I-joists are structural engineered wood products used for framing floors and roofs. The consistency allows for solid performance and smooth ceilings.

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Like all joists, I-joists are typically used to transfer loads to beams, walls, and the foundation. Unlike traditional dimension lumber, which can twist, split, and bow, I-joists offer better consistency and strength while weighing less and being easier to handle. These attributes make I-joists popular with builders of single-family homes, as well as light commercial and multi-family structures.

What Are the Benefits of I-Joists?

I-joists have become a construction industry standard largely because they offer reliable strength, consistency, and engineered performance that can provide a better value than dimension lumber. But that&#;s just the start of their benefits.

More Strength: Thanks to their unique construction, some I-joists, including Boise Cascade® I-Joists, are 20 percent stronger than comparably sized dimension lumber.

Longer Lengths: I-joists can be used to create long spans with less blocking to install faster. Something that dimension lumber simply can&#;t match.

Easier Handling: Dimensional lumber can be heavy and difficult to handle, but I-joists are lightweight, helping to reduce labor hours and labor costs.

Adaptable on the Jobsite: Most I-joists come with pre-stamped knockouts for wires, and allow for larger holes to be cut out of the web for mechanicals and can have very little change in performance. This makes running HVAC, electrical, and plumbing much faster and simpler.

Faster Installation: I-joists can be quickly trimmed in the field and offer a wider nailing surface for speedy installation.

Always Consistent: I-joists are engineered and manufactured for reliability &#; you&#;ll receive the same carefully made, consistently performing, and professionally inspected product time after time.

Sustainably Made: A typical I-joist uses only about half the wood of dimension lumber. The raw materials used in the manufacture of BCI and AJS I-joists are sourced from sustainable and responsibly managed forests. Boise Cascade strives to maximize the use and minimize the waste of each log procured. Bark and material residuals are used for carbon-neutral biomass fuel to generate over 70% of the energy needed to manufacture our products, keeping our emissions and reliance on fossil fuels low.

What Is an I-Joist Used For?

I-joists are a go-to product for residential and multi-family construction projects because they&#;re available in common sizes for today&#;s construction projects. They can also reduce common mistakes and hassles to make: framing simpler, floors flatter, and homes perform to meet customer expectations.

The strength and stability of I-joists make them a popular choice for engineered floors and roof framing. I-joists come in longer spans than dimensional lumber but without the potential defects and imperfections that eat up time and labor at the job site. With less shrinking, twisting, and bowing, the result is simpler floor and roof layouts that perform over time. Their consistency and performance, along with proper design, helps reduce vibrations, which means less bounce, fewer squeaks, and solid, quiet floors.

How Are I-Joists Made?

I-joists consist of OSB web between two flanges, which are typically constructed of dimensional lumber or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and joined by a durable structural adhesive. BCI® Joists use Versa-Lam® LVL for strength and durability while AJS joists have flanges made of machine stress-rated lumber.

A finished I-joist looks like the letter I, lending the product its name.

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What Are Common I-Joists Sizes?

I-Joists are manufactured in a wide range of depths ranging from 9 ½&#;-24&#; and can be special ordered in lengths as long as 60 feet.

BCI Joists are available in standard depths up to 20&#; and AJS joists are available in depths up to 24&#;. The extra depths make an ideal solution for multifamily applications.

How Far Do I-Joists Span?

The answer to this question depends on many factors unique to your project. Download the BCI or AJS I-joist Specifier&#;s guide to see I-joist span chart for your specific application or learn more about the Boise Cascade software suite.

My floor joists don&#;t need to hold insulation (unless I add some later for sound insulation) because my crawlspace has insulation outside the stemwall.  

I could use 2x8s at 16 o.c. and spend $612 on lumber.  Or I-joists 9.5 inches deep, 24 o.c., and spend $894.

-Are I joists kinder to the planet? In terms of trees used it seems like yes, but what about processing footprint?

-Are I joists a lot easier to use?  I know they&#;d be lighter and more uniform than 2x8s.  2x8s can vary a bit in depth, but it seems relatively easy to modify the depth at the joist hanger if necessary so that all match.  More annoying to deal with: twist, bow, cupping, etc.  Might it come down to the quality of lumber I can get?  I can get kiln dried 2x8s.  I know to put all joists crown up.

-cost of hangers seems comparable.  I&#;m hanging the joists from the sill plate using top flanged hangers, which apparently has the advantage of eliminating a rim joist, which is apparently expensive for I-joists.  

-2x8s give me a little more headroom in the crawl space.  but I&#;d still have about 30 inches even with the I-joists.

-the joists will be ~18 feet long, with a beam to support in the middle.  Plans don&#;t seem to make clear but I assume the beam is under the joists, not at the same height (so not requiring joists to be cut).

-since crawlspace is conditioned, I think plumbing and electrical won&#;t have to be punching through the joists.  (I believe I joists are easier to poke holes in than 2x material.)

Are there other things I should consider?  I look forward to getting some more perspectives.

Thanks everyone!
Paula

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