main floor joist support

Time to redo the basement, and I want to reduce the amount of floor bounce. The main floor area is the master bedroom with a queen waterbed and bath.
Size is 16' x 12 with 10'' joists on 12" O.C. running the 16ft. The main floor has
"pergo" hardwood floor.
I built a partion wall in the basement years ago to reduce the floor bounce. but I want to open up the basement for a family room. The problem is headroom. I have 7'0 from floor to ceiling and the suspended ceiling is at 6'9. I'm looking at three possibilitties. 1. use 4" Steel I beam in the center 2. use 2x4 on edge with
1/4" x 3 steelplate sandwiched. 3. use 2x8 flat and placed crossways about every 3 ft and screwed to each joist.
(this seems like the most practical)

Thansks

 

jmacc,

Based on what you have, I would recommend this idea....

It might be more economical with overall assureances to sister another 2x10 to each of the existing. use construction adhesive and pnuematic nailer (it's just easier this way). Once that is done, place 2"x10" solid blocking 4' O.C.. I am assuming that there is nothing in the way to do this, at least I hope you don't anything in the way.

Issue is do you have the room to get this in place? If so this would definitely increase load and eliminate the bounce that you have.

***BEFORE DOING THIS - YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO BOW IN YOUR EXISTING FLOOR. YOU MAY WANT TO USE A SMALL HYDRAULIC JACK WITH 4X4 OR A COUPLE 2X NAILED TOGETHER TO GET EACH FLOOR JOIST UP TO LEVEL STATUS AS YOU GET EACH ONE IN PLACE***

Your other ideas are good as well except for the 2x flat - this may help some but headroom is an issue and this only allows more deflection in a bounce situation. A strengthening of a lateral condition is suggested as being more beneficial. You decide the method.

Hope this helps!

 

Ok, as I was rereading your post to reply Doug (when does he sleep?) has answered you rather well. I would add that 4" steel beams or 2x4's w/steel plate are just too shallow to be effective.
Doug's alternative is the way to go. Don't leave out the blocking. Contractors argue the merits of solid blocking, but installed correctly, they will make the joists work more like a system (particularly with a proper subfloor).

 

bungalow jeff,

I sleep when you aren't sending me e-mail!!! What are you talking about? Thanks for asking...

I am drawing and then my e-mail rings and I usually am here or on the road.

Good night...I'm getting tired