Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 263
Partitions or walls that run parallel to the joists
must be fastened to the ceiling frame. A nailing strip
or drywall clip to carry the ceiling material must also
be installed. Various size materials can be installed in
a number of ways. The chief requirement is that they
provide adequate support for interior wall coverings.
Figure 11‑40 shows a typical method of making such
an installation. Figure 11‑6C shows backup clip instal-
lation for a ceiling.
An access hole, also called a scuttle, must be in-
cluded in the ceiling frame to provide entrance to the
attic area. Fire regulations and building codes usually
list minimum size requirements. The building plans
generally indicate the size of the scuttle and show
where it should be located. The opening is framed fol-
lowing the procedure used for openings in the floor.
If the size of the opening is small (2′–3′ square), dou-
bling of joists and headers is not required.
11.11 Strongbacks
Long spans of ceiling joists may require a strongback.
This is an L-shaped support constructed of 2″ lumber.
It is attached across the tops of joists to strengthen
them and maintain the space between them. It also
evens up the bottom edges of the joists so the ceiling is
not wavy after the drywall is applied.
To construct a strongback, first mark the proper
joist spacing (16″ or 24″ OC) on a 2×4. Position
the 2×4 across the tops of the ceiling joists and fas-
ten it with two 16d nails at each joist. Apply pres-
sure against the joists as needed to maintain proper
spacing.
Select a straight 2×6 or 2×8 for the second member.
Place it on edge against either side of the 2×4 just at-
tached to the joists. Attach one end to the 2×4 with a
16d nail. Work across the full-length of the strong-
back, aligning and nailing it. Stepping on either the
2×4 or the member on edge helps align each joist.
Nail the vertical member to each joist and to the 2×4,
Figure 11‑41.
Double
top plate Stub joist
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑39. Stub ceiling joists butted to a full-length joist.
The stub joists are required for a low-pitched hip roof due to
the lack of space near the edge.
Ceiling
joist
Nailer
Double plate
Studs
2×4 Blocking
4uni2032-0uni2033 OC
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑40. Use special blocking to anchor partitions to
the ceiling frame when they run parallel to the joists.
Step 1
Step 2
16d nails
2×4
2×6
or 2×8
16d between
joists 16d toenail to
each joist
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑41. Building a strongback. Step 1—Nail a 2×4 to
the joists. Step 2—Turn a 2×6 or 2×8 on edge and nail it to
the 2×4 and the joists.
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 263
Partitions or walls that run parallel to the joists
must be fastened to the ceiling frame. A nailing strip
or drywall clip to carry the ceiling material must also
be installed. Various size materials can be installed in
a number of ways. The chief requirement is that they
provide adequate support for interior wall coverings.
Figure 11‑40 shows a typical method of making such
an installation. Figure 11‑6C shows backup clip instal-
lation for a ceiling.
An access hole, also called a scuttle, must be in-
cluded in the ceiling frame to provide entrance to the
attic area. Fire regulations and building codes usually
list minimum size requirements. The building plans
generally indicate the size of the scuttle and show
where it should be located. The opening is framed fol-
lowing the procedure used for openings in the floor.
If the size of the opening is small (2′–3′ square), dou-
bling of joists and headers is not required.
11.11 Strongbacks
Long spans of ceiling joists may require a strongback.
This is an L-shaped support constructed of 2″ lumber.
It is attached across the tops of joists to strengthen
them and maintain the space between them. It also
evens up the bottom edges of the joists so the ceiling is
not wavy after the drywall is applied.
To construct a strongback, first mark the proper
joist spacing (16″ or 24″ OC) on a 2×4. Position
the 2×4 across the tops of the ceiling joists and fas-
ten it with two 16d nails at each joist. Apply pres-
sure against the joists as needed to maintain proper
spacing.
Select a straight 2×6 or 2×8 for the second member.
Place it on edge against either side of the 2×4 just at-
tached to the joists. Attach one end to the 2×4 with a
16d nail. Work across the full-length of the strong-
back, aligning and nailing it. Stepping on either the
2×4 or the member on edge helps align each joist.
Nail the vertical member to each joist and to the 2×4,
Figure 11‑41.
Double
top plate Stub joist
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑39. Stub ceiling joists butted to a full-length joist.
The stub joists are required for a low-pitched hip roof due to
the lack of space near the edge.
Ceiling
joist
Nailer
Double plate
Studs
2×4 Blocking
4uni2032-0uni2033 OC
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑40. Use special blocking to anchor partitions to
the ceiling frame when they run parallel to the joists.
Step 1
Step 2
16d nails
2×4
2×6
or 2×8
16d between
joists 16d toenail to
each joist
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑41. Building a strongback. Step 1—Nail a 2×4 to
the joists. Step 2—Turn a 2×6 or 2×8 on edge and nail it to
the 2×4 and the joists.