7 Types of Joist Hanger (With Pictures)

There are many types of joist hangers, and they are not all suitable for different situations. There are many sizes available, which typically go with common timber dimensions. For just about every construction, you’ll need joist hangers of some sort.

Luckily, these joint hangers aren’t all that complicated. Different situations will absolutely call for a particular joist hanger. Usually, there isn’t much question regarding the one that needs to be used. Learning about each one is the best way to figure out which option you need.

The 7 Types of Joist Hanger

1. Mini Joist Hangers

These hangers are only for light-duty work, such as decking and smaller timbers. You cannot use these for larger projects, as they cannot hold as much weight. Therefore, for situations that are smaller, consider using a mini joist hanger.

Like most joist hangers, this option comes with many sub-options. There are even “mini mini joist hangers.” Therefore, you can typically find the exact one you need for your smaller project.

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2. Long Leg Joist Hangers

These hangers are used when the floors are being constructed on different levels. Therefore, the leg must be bent to accommodate different depths. There are different lengths of the leg. For instance, you can find “standard,” “short,” and “long” options. These will depend on the exact floor difference and the size of the timber.

There are also joist hangers with tags and those without tags. These tags can be bent easily to help fix the joist hanger faster.

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3. Heavy Duty Joist Hangers

As you’d imagine, these joist hangers are much larger than others. They are designed for situations where extra strength is needed. Furthermore, they can also be used when you cannot reach the top of the timber. You can both nail and bolt these hangers.

These hangers are versatile and can be utilized in many different ways. Therefore, they are quite common.

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4. I-Joist Hangers

These hangers are used to fix I-joints, as the name suggests. They are very cost-effective, which is why they are often used. These hangers have full depth to prevent rotation. They are also utilized to allow for easy installation, while also holding the wood effectively.

Many of these have locators for easy fixing. There are several varieties available, as well. Therefore, you can typically find an I-Joist hanger for just about every situation.

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5. Concealed Joist Hangers

Concealed joist hangers are used when side flanges are not needed or are impossible to attach. These work in small areas where other joist hangers may not be able to fit. These joist hangers are often utilized to attach rim joists to the edge of a ledger board. Then, you can nail this joist into place without needing to nail it into the end grain.

You can also use these where the flanges would be unaesthetic. However, this is a less common use. For instance, they are sometimes used to attach stair stringers when they will be exposed in the final design.

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6. 45-Degree Angled Joist Hangers

These joist hangers are used when one of the wood pieces is at a 45-degree angle. As you’d imagine, you cannot use a regular joist in this situation. Therefore, these angled joists would be necessary. Typically, they can be used in the same method as a straight joist. The only difference is their angle. These are relatively more expensive than other joist hangers.

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7. Wood Joist Hangers

These joist hangers are specifically made for treated lumber decking. They’re mostly utilized for outdoor projects. However, when there is a lot of humidity and moisture involved, you may want to opt for a zinc-coated option. These joist hangers are relatively inexpensive, though, so many people choose to purchase them despite their durability issues.

These hangers are also widely available, as they are commonly used by DIYers.

Conclusion

There are several types of joist hangers, so you can find one for just about every situation. Usually, DIYers utilize these hangers for decking. However, carpenters utilize them for all sorts of different constructions. In a house, there may be many joist hangers utilized as the construction requires.

You can find many common joist hangers at your local hardware store. However, more specialized options may require ordering online—they may also cost more.

See also:

• How to Store Ties (8 Great Tips & Tricks)
• How to Store Belts (9 Great Tips & Tricks)

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Featured Image Credit: sockagphoto, Shutterstock