In wood framing, Bridging serves as which of the following?

• A. Soleplate
• B. Top Plate
• C. Support between joists
• D. Bridging

Answer: (C)

Bridging is a way to stiffen the floor system by tying adjacent joists together. When pieces are placed between joists, they resist lateral movement and twisting, helping the joists stay at their proper spacing and share loads more evenly. This improves floor stiffness and reduces deflection and squeaks.

Soleplates and top plates are parts of wall framing, not floor framing. The soleplate sits along the bottom of a wall, anchoring studs to the floor, while the top plate caps the studs at the top to tie walls together. Bridging sits between floor joists, so its role is specifically to provide support between them.