HAAG Certified Reviewer

With a pier and beam foundation, which of the following rests on top of the beams?

1. Bottom plates

2. Subfloor

3. Piers

4. Floor joists

The correct answer is: Floor joists

In a pier and beam foundation, the structure is supported by piers that elevate the home above the ground, with beams providing a stable platform for additional structural components. The floor joists are critical elements that rest on top of the beams in this system. They serve to support the flooring of the building, distributing the weight of the floor above and any loads that may be applied to it. The floor joists are positioned perpendicularly to the beams, creating a framework for the subfloor and the final floor material. This arrangement helps ensure proper load distribution and stability within the home's structure. Understanding this setup is essential, as it contributes to the overall integrity and performance of homes built on pier and beam foundations. The other choices do play roles within the foundation system but do not directly rest on top of the beams. The bottom plates are typically associated with wall framing at the base of the walls, while the subfloor is laid on top of the floor joists, not the beams themselves. Piers are the vertical supports that elevate the beams and are not components that sit atop the beams.