Cutting a joist in the loft.

psd99

psd99

psd99

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Hi all,

I got a thread on here regarding a bluetooth ceiling speaker, I went in the loft to take a look and by a rough calculation that middle point of the 4 spot lights falls right on top of a joist. just my bleeding luck

i will recheck from below (I will mark the centre point and then use a drill bit to send it upwards)
but I reckon the speaker will require me to cut around 220mm of the joist out.

The joist is very long basically runs the entire length of the house I believe probably been there over 100 years! I will be cutting a relatively small section out then using a jab saw in a circular fashion from below to remove the plaster board so that speaker fits.

Any suggestions on how safe this is and whether, I will need to use cleats or something to secure the joists before hand? Videos tips/hints and method of work in order would be most helpful kind of worried about this project.
 
The joist is there for a reason. You could remove a section of joist, making it redundant by doubling up on the adjacent ones and using trimmer joists each side of the cut. This will transfer the cut joist load sideways and make a rectangular place to put your speaker. It is a load of faff and not cheap.

Reevaluate the need for it at that location or at all.
 
yer could relocate but the IDEAL spot is centre of the bathroom it'll look naff anywhere else.

still thinking this through.
 
Hagar said:
The joist is there for a reason. You could remove a section of joist, making it redundant by doubling up on the adjacent ones and using trimmer joists each side of the cut. This will transfer the cut joist load sideways and make a rectangular place to put your speaker. It is a load of faff and not cheap.

Reevaluate the need for it at that location or at all.
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If I did this would it be best to cut the joist out first or installing trimmer joints first then cut afterwards?
 
psd99 said:
yer could relocate but the IDEAL spot is centre of the bathroom it'll look naff anywhere else.

still thinking this through.
Click to expand...
I've seen speakers central and off set to a particular corner. I wouldn't say it would look odd (obviously I don't know much about your bathroom). I definitely wouldn't be touching structural components for it though.
 
psd99 said:
If I did this would it be best to cut the joist out first or installing trimmer joints first then cut afterwards?
Click to expand...
Install trimmer joists first otherwise you may get sagging and cracks in the ceiling.

If it was slightly offset it may look naff but if it was radically offset (not a measuring error) it would be a design feature and pleasing to the eye.
 
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dLockers said:
I've seen speakers central and off set to a particular corner. I wouldn't say it would look odd (obviously I don't know much about your bathroom). I definitely wouldn't be touching structural components for it though.
Click to expand...

so yes I am also skeptical about this.
 
Hagar said:
Install trimmer joists first otherwise you may get sagging and cracks in the ceiling.

If it was slightly offset it may look naff but if it was radically offset (not a measuring error) it would be a design feature and pleasing to the eye.
Click to expand...


I mean another method of thinking is
installed 2 x speakers instead of 1 central.

that might actually work for me and avoid me cutting any joists
 
psd99 said:
I reckon that might avoid me cutting the joists I Will need to double check though.

but its been a real struggle to find 2 x bluetooth ceiling speakers with inbuilt amp etc
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Can't you just run speaker wire to somewhere really nice and accessible, and then have a plug in amp/Bluetooth combo?

Syncing two separate Bluetooth speakers up could be annoying?

Opens up the opportunity to do the other rooms too maybe.
 
dLockers said:
Can't you just run speaker wire to somewhere really nice and accessible, and then have a plug in amp/Bluetooth combo?

Syncing two separate Bluetooth speakers up could be annoying?

Opens up the opportunity to do the other rooms too maybe.
Click to expand...

tbh that isn't a bad shout because when I get my loft down I could *potentially* think about investing in a speaker system like that and put say 2 x speakers in the bathroom + 2 in master bedroom then obviously more for the loft room/bathroom

but that amp would need to be in the loft I can't see it being anywhere else thats easy to get to. what kind of system you got in mind?
 
psd99 said:
tbh that isn't a bad shout because when I get my loft down I could *potentially* think about investing in a speaker system like that and put say 2 x speakers in the bathroom + 2 in master bedroom then obviously more for the loft room/bathroom

but that amp would need to be in the loft I can't see it being anywhere else thats easy to get to. what kind of system you got in mind?
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Take the specific product with a pinch of salt but I was looking at something like this:
https://audioinstallations.co.uk/pr...v220bt-2-zone-audio-amplifier-system-2x-100w/

Theoretically able to power two zones with independent Bluetooth streaming.

I'd have ran the speaker wire into a cupboard/ even just somewhere nice and accessible just through the loft hatch.

I'm lucky as my airing cupboard has plenty power and easily accessed for cable drops from any room.
 
psd99 said:
I reckon that might avoid me cutting the joists I Will need to double check though.

but its been a real struggle to find 2 x bluetooth ceiling speakers with inbuilt amp etc
Click to expand...
Could you not just find/buy two speaker covers and just put the real speaker up then put the cover on and them put the false cover some where else to make it look even?
 
Hagar said:
If it was slightly offset it may look naff but if it was radically offset (not a measuring error) it would be a design feature and pleasing to the eye.
Click to expand...

yeah...same idea with colours, it's better to have them completely different rather than almost the same

although for some (myself included) it's easier to measure exact than trust my judgement
 
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