How to Attach Flooring Beams to Posts
The floor beams in a residential framing system support the floor joists, floor sheathing and interior walls above. These beams, also referred to as "girders," are supported from below by vertical posts that rest on concrete piers or stem walls. A secure connection between the posts and beams insures the structural integrity of the floor framing, and using standard post cap brackets adds that secure connection. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Place a post cap bracket on top of each floor beam support post. Attach each cap bracket to the post using the bracket nails provided. Typically, two nails into each bracket side flange is the minimum required.
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Set the floor beam into place on top of the support posts and between the upright vertical side flanges of the post cap brackets.
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Check that each support post is plumb using a builders level, then secure the post cap brackets to the floor beam using the bracket nails provided.
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Tips & Warnings
Although nailing beams to posts using only angled nailing, referred to as "toe nailing," is an acceptable practice in many localities, the use of metal post brackets is a far more secure connection method.
