Alternatives to joist hangers for exposed ledger connection. Dowels?
I’m making a little 4’x4′ play nook for my kids, which will end up suspended over a stairwell, with one side anchored to the wall with lag screws through a ledger.
I was planning to make this out of common pine and varnish the whole thing, which means the joists and ledger will be exposed and visible from underside. I really don’t want joist hangers. I could rest the joists ON the ledger as opposed to a butt connection, but I can’t say I like that look either.
Seeing as the frame is so small and could be handled as a unit, do you think I could dowel the joists in? Any other bright ideas?
Replies
You can get some nice-looking welded-up steel joist hangers, instead of the crummy sheet metal ones. (Though I'm sure they're not cheap.)
I'll just have them bearing on the ledger.
Why not just glue and lag them as well? You would have to assemble BEFORE you hang the ledger but you could countersink the visible sides and put wood plugs over those lags. The only downside is you would need a helping hand to get it placed. but on the plus side if you build it before you hang it, you could dress it up more while it is on the "ground" such as chamfer or round over the edges, sand and finish it prior to hanging etc.
Why not just glue and lag them as well? You would have to assemble BEFORE you hang the ledger but you could countersink the visible sides and put wood plugs over those lags. The only downside is you would need a helping hand to get it placed. but on the plus side if you build it before you hang it, you could dress it up more while it is on the "ground" such as chamfer or round over the edges, sand and finish it prior to hanging etc.