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Joists and beams are both part of the flooring system above your basement, with the beams spanning the length of your home and getting support from vertical posts underneath, and joists usually spanning half the width of your home with no support posts underneath. The floor joists provide even support to the subflooring and flooring above, and they distribute that load to the beams. The beams then distribute that load down through the support posts to the foundation.

The boards between floor joists are called bridging or blocking boards. These are the shortest pieces of wood in the flooring system—with beams being the longest and joists sitting somewhere in the middle—and they serve to reinforce the joists and help provide even support to the flooring above. Bridging specifically helps cut down on uneven and creaking floors in your living area.

Carpentry is a skilled trade and requires many years of experience to acquire the skills necessary to do the job efficiently and correctly. Because every home requires a carpenter at some stage of the building process, carpenters are typically in high demand. The higher the skill level, the higher the hourly rate the carpenter can charge.

It is not recommended to cut or drill into LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beams. As major structural components of a home, their composite structure can be compromised by alterations, which can weaken them and lead to cracking over time. If you must make modifications to an LVL beam, it is crucial to consult a structural engineer or general contractor first. A professional can advise on whether it's safe and provide specifics on the appropriate bit size, depth, and directionality for any necessary drilling.