When you first walk into an older home, the ceilings probably feel like the biggest sacrifice of space. The low-hanging roof is restricting and awkward, and you long to see light from above once again. Luckily, many old houses also come with unfinished attic spaces. In this case, that’s a good thing! You can experiment with different ideas for recessed lighting fixtures or even add a mezzanine level (if your home permits). However, first, you have to start with a little prep work: How can you support those ceiling joists from above? Let’s take a look at some options.

How To Support Ceiling Joists From Above?

• Use a rafter hanger to support the ceiling joists.
• Install a ridge beam at the apex of the roof.
• Install a floor joist at the apex of the ridge beam, and support it from above with a rafter hanger.
• Use an insulated furring channel to support and insulate two layers of ceiling joists, which are installed on top of each other and supported from above by rafter hangers as well as a ridge beam.
• Install wood blocking between adjacent ceiling joists to stabilize their position and prevent any movement or sagging in the middle area due to thermal expansion or contraction of wood materials in hot summer or cold winter seasons, respectively.
• Install insulation between adjacent ceiling joists to prevent heat transfer from one layer to another in hot summer conditions when temperatures are high, etc.; or install insulation between adjacent ceiling joists while they are being supported by furring channels in cold winter conditions when temperatures are low, etc., which will help prevent heat transfer from one layer to another in cold winter conditions when temperatures are low, etc.; both methods will help reduce thermal losses through the mass of ceilings and walls and save energy costs for heating purposes for your home or business premises at the same time; these methods can also be used during any season of the year with proper insulation during all seasons by simply replacing old insulation with new insulation every few years if necessary; this is because old insulation can be replaced with new insulation every few years to maintain the same level of insulation and keep heat transfer to a minimum.
• Install a ridge beam at the apex of the roof, install ceiling joists at the apex of that ridge beam and support them from above with rafter hangers; these ceiling joists will help support an insulated ceiling.
• Use furring channels to support two layers of ceiling joists, which are installed on top of each other and supported from above by rafter hangers as well as a ridge beam; this will help reduce thermal losses through the mass of ceilings and walls in hot summer conditions when temperatures are high, etc., which will help save energy costs for heating purposes for your home or business premises at the same time; this method can also be used during any season with proper insulation during all seasons by simply replacing old insulation with new insulation every few years if necessary.
• Install wood blocking between adjacent ceiling joists to stabilize their position and prevent any movement or sagging in hot summer conditions when temperatures are high, etc., which will help save energy costs for heating purposes for your home or business premises at the same time; this method can also be used during any season without replacing old insulation with new insulation every few years if necessary.
• Install insulation between adjacent ceiling joists in cold winter conditions when temperatures are low, etc., which will help reduce thermal losses through the mass of ceilings and walls in cold winter conditions when temperatures are low, etc.; this method can also be used during any season without replacing old insulation with new insulation every few years if necessary.

What Is A Ceiling Joist?

Ceiling joists are the wooden beams that support the weight of your home’s roof. They run vertically from wall to wall, spanning from the top of the foundation to the underside of the roof. Although you can’t see them unless you remove a section of the drywall, they’re incredibly important. Without them, your roof would fall. If your home was built before the 1960s, there’s a good chance that the ceiling joists will be wood. If the house is any older, it may still be lath and plaster (which resembles a woven fabric). If your home was built in the 1950s or 1960s, it might be steel.

How To Support Ceiling Joists On Your Own?

You’ll need to figure out which way the joists run. They’re typically oriented in either a running or a cross pattern. Once you’ve determined their path, use a hammer to gently tap a nail into the joist at various points. If the nail doesn’t go in easily, try another location. If you don’t have a hammer or if you need to support a lot of weight, use a nail gun. This might be necessary if you plan to build a mezzanine, for example.

• Plywood Sheathing Plywood sheathing is a great option for DIY joist support. It’s relatively lightweight, easy to use, and inexpensive. You can find it at most hardware stores in a variety of thicknesses. Make sure to select a type rated for outdoor use. While you’re there, you’ll also need to pick up some screws. You can use a power drill to quickly install the plywood.
• Steel H-Brackets For a DIY support option that’s a little more permanent, consider steel H-brackets. They’re sold in various thicknesses and can be secured to the joist with a hammer. You can also find adjustable H-brackets, which are nice if the joists are unevenly spaced. H-brackets might be best suited to support a light fixture, shelving, or light fixtures. They’re a little too small to carry the weight of a full-sized mezzanine.
• Steel I-Beams For a more industrial look, try steel I-beams. They’re sold in various sizes and have a wide flange to support the joists. They’re often used in commercial construction and are rated to carry up to 12,000 pounds. They’re sold in sections, so make sure you have enough to span the width of the roof along with any supports you plan to add on either side.
• Steel Channel If you need heavy-duty joist support with a little more aesthetics, a steel channel is a good option. It’s typically used for porch or deck construction and can be found at hardware stores. It’s available in a variety of thicknesses, including the most common 2-inch thickness you’ll need for ceiling joist support. Channel is sold in long lengths, so make sure you have enough to span the width of the roof along with any supports your plan to add on either side.
• In the end, the choice of DIY joist support depends on your project and the type of wood being used. For example, you might choose plywood sheathing for light fixtures or H-brackets for shelving. If you have any questions about DIY joist support or about building a mezzanine, contact us today.

Bottom line

You don’t have to hire a professional to install new or replace old ceiling joists. You can install the joists yourself with a few simple tools and materials. For those who don’t have the proper tools, we’ve got you covered. We suggest using a hammer, screwdriver, and tape measure to install your own ceiling joists.