Added cost of material vs decrease in time and labor. Yes, No, Maybe?

cnmdesign

Dropping the loop end under the joist.

Zman

It saves some labor. Material stays about the same.You end up giving heat to the crawl space.
Is drilling a few joists really that big a deal?

hot_rod

TJI's drill really easily with a sharp bit and angle drill. Typically you can drill a 1-1/2" hole anywhere in those. except the top and bottom cord, of course.

STEVEusaPA

Yes it's little bit of a PIA to work the loops thru the joists, but I'm more concerned about them popping out of the channels and expansion noise when the loops heat up.

Big Ed_4

What I understand you can't drill through those laminated joists by the manufacture

STEVEusaPA

Big Ed said:

What I understand you can't drill through those laminated joists by the manufacture

Never heard that. The manufacturers do provide guidelines for where holes can go-size, amount, how far from top/bottom chord and how close to the end.

Big Ed_4

Good to know , get the paper work ... Thanks.

Checking some guidelines , allow small round holes only with in the center 1/3 the length of the beam .... He did it the right way not holes near the ends , unless he threaded though the center . hmmm

Zman

@Big Ed
Here is a typical manual http://www.bc.com/content/uploads/bc-resources/west_spec_complete.pdf

You can drill hole up to 1 1/2" anywhere in the joist as long as you maintain 3" between them. For bigger holes you need to refer to the chart.

JUGHNE

I use a hole saw with angle head drill.
I drill about half way thru one side and do the other side.
With practice you know when to stop on the second drilling and can knock the plug out of the joist.
This avoids wedging the plug into the hole saw.

Most of these joists come with pre punched KO's, but are seldom lined up for straight runs.

The large holes are not allowed near the ends as there may be a load bearing wall above and that is the "crush" zone of these.

SeanBeans

Psh, running it thru the joists is what makes it fun!

pecmsg

Zman said:

@Big Ed
Here is a typical manual http://www.bc.com/content/uploads/bc-resources/west_spec_complete.pdf

You can drill hole up to 1 1/2" anywhere in the joist as long as you maintain 3" between them. For bigger holes you need to refer to the chart.

Except Bearing Zones!

hot_rod

pecmsg said:

Zman said:

@Big Ed
Here is a typical manual http://www.bc.com/content/uploads/bc-resources/west_spec_complete.pdf

You can drill hole up to 1 1/2" anywhere in the joist as long as you maintain 3" between them. For bigger holes you need to refer to the chart.

Except Bearing Zones!

Most all the TJI type, plywood web joists have 1-1/2" pre-punched holes every 12". The holes can be over bearing walls sometimes. But use the manufacturers "Drilling Guides" to be sure.

The main thing is having the framer line up all the pre punched holes on either top or bottom.

When that happens plumbing and wiring is a cinch, a ballpeen hammer or pipe will pop out those supplied holes.

Web stiffeners should also be used at bearing points, but that rarely happens around here.

Plastic pipe insulators fit in those holes also.

GlueLams or ParalLam are different than TJI joists and have much different drilling limitations.