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.
