Joist hangers they have a very important role to play in our lives and yet most people have not even heard of them. In every home there are dozens and dozens of them helping to hold it together…they are a vital part of our homes.

If you are attempting any type of major renovation or DIY work, it is important that you understand the role they play in the home so that

a) do not damage any existing or

b) you replace and fix any of them that need to be done

Because without them you are in a whole world of trouble!

Joist hangers are much like their name: they are used to hang joists. Specifically, they are used to anchor ceilings, floors, etc. in a safe way. They are literally delaying everything in almost every home.

At present they are usually made of metal (generally steel or aluminum) both for their strength and for their resistance to wear. That said, it is still possible to find the wooden ones around.

They are specially designed to connect to joists (usually wood) on 3 sides of the joist, providing additional support for your load. The joist hanger is attached to the joist using screws or nails, and has a face plate that connects it, distributing the weight. This means that the connection is as secure as possible.

The main advantage of joist hangers over other methods of securing floors and the like is that they can take much more “punishment” without warping or twisting the way screws or nails would if used alone. They are the safest way to keep the house together!