
Perhaps the most important aspect of quality floor systems is its ability to control vibration. In this blog section, you’ll learn why no one does it better than TRIFORCE®. With its unique design and no metal plates, you can easily run continuous strongbacks through the floor cavity to significantly reduce vibration. See how we offer a simple and inexpensive way to get that solid floor feel and minimize customers’ call-backs.

Considering strongbacks when specifying floor systems can help to satisfy end-users who carry heightened perceptions and expectations of how a floor should perform. Even though strongbacks are not required in U.S. applications, they improve performance more effectively than other type of bridging and are recommended for superior floor systems. Best of all, strongbacks can be … Continued

1) Joist Repair Needed Recently, a TRIFORCE® representative was called to a construction site because the GC had discovered a cracked bottom chord on one of the installed TRIFORCE® joists (see photo above). The cause of the damage was a mystery and no one was taking responsibility. What could have happened? First… we know what … Continued

We live in a world dominated by the need for “open” living spaces. New homes are designed for such and old homes are remodeled to remove walls. When we gather as family and friends, open concept design allows us to remain engaged at all times. Obviously, it’s the structure of a building that makes it … Continued

A 1979 Oscar-nominated movie with the title “China Syndrome” starred Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda. The pair, acting as broadcast reporters, were filming a news story in a nuclear energy facility when they felt an unusual alarming vibration. Something was wrong. Real life builders and developers too often hear the phrases “Something is wrong with … Continued

Times change, and so does our industry. We must adapt to new requirements, stricter legislation, and evolving trends. The new house market illustrates this eloquently. Buyers have specific criteria in mind when making their choice. Consequently, new building methods and materials are essential to address this new reality. Now, other than the neighborhood and the … Continued

Science fiction title? How about the technical description of how strongback bridging works. Transient oscillations don’t represent the serious danger that hostile extraterrestrials might pose, but they do result in discomfort and uneasy feelings in humans. Transient oscillations are vibrations in a floor system, caused by footfalls or rhythmic motions (such as a washing machine … Continued

A hallmark of engineered joists is their use of geometry to maximize structural capacity. The two most common geometric shapes configuring successful engineered floor framing components are the triangle and the “I”. History sings praises of the “I” shape. It recognizes the strength it gave to rails carrying transcontinental trains that unified young nations and … Continued

Customers regularly ask me if they can cut strongbacks. The short answer is yes, but before explaining how, here’s a quick rundown of what strongbacks are, for those of you who aren’t familiar with them. What strongbacks are Strongbacks are horizontal members that attach perpendicularly to a series of open web joists, inside the floor cavity. Their purpose is … Continued

Floor vibration can be annoying, vastly reducing customer enjoyment of their living and working areas and even leading people to question the structural safety of their building. Let’s look at the further implications of vibration on your business. It isn’t something you can readily test onsite, so if it isn’t properly factored into the plans … Continued

From a home dweller’s perspective, floor performance can be thought of as a level of comfort. If someone is walking by you inside a brand new house, you might feel an effect coming from the floor: vibration. If you’re like me, the less you feel vibration, the more solid the floor feels and that has … Continued