Baloon Framing Second Floor Joists

In balloon framing the studs extend as one from the sill to the top plate of the second story.

Baloon framing second floor joists.

Framing for floor openings a staircase is essential for commuting between floors but it creates an opening in the second floor so you can t run the joists from one side of the house to the other without interruption. Balloon framing is sometimes used with two story buildings. This type of construction is the most difficult but does provide unobstructed openings between the floors. Second floor joists are nailed to the bearing walls and supported by a piece of stock called a ribbon board in this case 1 6 stock let into the studs see drawing right.

One of our recent whole house balloon frame remodeling projects had a floor so out of level that anyone sitting on the toilet in the future bathroom risked sliding off. Balloon framed walls are different than platform framed walls. In balloon framed walls the studs are continuous from the mudsill all the way to the top plates on the uppermost floor where the rafters rest. Floor joists align with the wall studs which align with the first story floor joists.

The second story floor joists are supported by a ribbon board set into the studs. The floor joists for the second floor were usually supported on a ledger or ribbon that was let into the studs. Balloon framing was replaced by platform framing today s building method of choice when the trees that produced the long studs became scarce.