Blocking / Bridging

Related terms

• Joist

  One of the repetitive horizontal members that support a floor or ceiling, spanning between beams or walls. Joist size, spacing, and direc…

• Span

  The clear distance a member bridges between supports. Span tables (or an engineer) set the size and spacing required for a given load.

• Stud

  A vertical framing member in a wall (typically 2x4 or 2x6) spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, forming the structure to which sheathing and…

• Bowing Wall

  A foundation wall pushed inward by soil or hydrostatic pressure. Severity dictates the fix — straps, anchors, bracing, or rebuild.

• Bearing Capacity

  How much load the soil can safely support. It sizes footings; weak soils require wider footings, piers, or ground improvement.

• Cantilever

  A structural member extending beyond its support, loaded at the free end (e.g., a bumped-out floor or balcony). Backspan and connection a…

• Basement Foundation

  A foundation with full-height usable space below grade. Offers expansion potential but adds waterproofing and egress requirements when fi…

• Carbon Fiber Strap

  High-strength strips bonded to a bowing foundation wall to arrest further inward movement — a less invasive alternative to wall replaceme…