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Floor Framing

Most floors are raised above the ground and provide access for insulation, plumbing, etc. A raised floor is constructed with a wooden framework that connects one exterior wall to another. On upper levels of a house the underside of the floor framing serves to back ceiling materials. Ceilings are built like floors, only they are constructed of lighter materials because they're not intended to carry the same loads. A floor's framework is made up of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals. Solid blocking prevents joists from twisting and helps in distributing loads evenly.