Engineered Timber Floors

I-Joists

I-joists, also known as I-beams, are beams with an I or H-shaped cross-section. The horizontal elements are flanges, while the vertical element is called the web. They are manufactured to precise specification using Kerto or kiln dried C24 grade softwood flanges bonded to an OSB web.

Using I-joists is a very efficient form for carrying both bending and shear in the plane of the web – their superior strength-to-weight ratio allows longer spans and easier handling. Their shrink and warp resistance helps create ‘quiet’ floor solutions and consistent dimensions provide extra stability. I-joists also have the benefit of not needing acoustic insulation to gain compliance with Building Regulation Part E (sound) when installed at 400mm centres and above.

Prefabricated wood I-joists belong to a family of wood products known as engineered wood products (EWP’s). Other EWP’s include Glulam Beams, Structural Composite Lumber (SCL), finger jointed lumber and Structural Panels. SCL includes products such as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL), and Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL). Structural panels include products such as Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and plywood.

Why use a I-Joist?

Quite simply, Prefabricated wood I-joists are environmentally sensitive products. The design of prefabricated wood I-joists allows a manufacturer to make use of smaller diameter, faster growing, and generally lower quality trees and still produce a quality product. Secondly, when compared to other building materials, the production of wood materials uses less energy – and produces less carbon - than materials such as steel and concrete.

I-Joists offer many design and performance advantages over conventional timber sections, such as:

Superior strength to weight ratio enables longer spans.
Straighter and more consistent performance.
Lighter and easier to handle with eased edges.
Lengths up to 12m.
Eliminates squeaky floors when fitted correctly.
Stable composition resists shrinkage and warping.
Cost effective saving on time, labour and materials.
No mid-span noggins required.
Convenient easy to cut, drill and install using conventional woodworking tools.
Versatile – Design flexibility in floor, wall and roof applications.
Performance is controllable.
Environmentally Friendly – Using 40–60% less material and less site wastage.
Quality Assured – An engineered system which is factory produced.
Guaranteed – Backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Environmental Consideration

Prefabricated timber joists provide a way to more efficiently use our wood resources while still providing high strength and quality products. The other benefit is that wood and Engineered Wood Products (EWP’s) are more environmentally friendly compared to other materials such as steel and concrete.

Complete Floor System Package

In addition to the structural items which we include with the I-Joist pack, flooring grade chipboard can also be supplied to complete the package. Egger’s WEYROC® Protect flooring system is an ideal partner to I-Joist floors to create safe working platform floors and temporary protection from the elements during construction. Egger have produced a BBA approved ‘rapid deck floor laying system’ using Egger D4 Adhesive which is designed to reduce installation times and minimise squeaky floors..

WEYROC® Protect is made from WEYROC® P5 flooring grade chipboard manufactured by Egger in Hexham, Northumberland, and is faced with thermosetting resin impregnated Kraft paper on both sides of the board, providing double protection and preventing moisture from getting in.

Getting a Quote

At Ecoframes we try and make it as easy as possible for you to submit your enquiries for engineered timber floors and get a quick accurate quote from our design team.

There are 2 options.

1. Send in your drawings with a site address and contact number to our design office.

2. Upload your drawings using our Drawing Upload facility for I-Joists on our Quote request page.

Alternatively if you have a question about a particular floor design or your plans, email us now.