Exterior wall joist headers are commonly known as which term?

• A. Plate headers
• B. Ceiling joists
• C. Band joists
• D. Rim joists

Answer: (C)

Perimeter framing terminology is at play here: exterior wall headers are typically part of the continuous outer framing around the building, which is the band joist. The band joist runs around the outside edge of the floor framing and ties the wall framing to the floor, so it naturally functions as the header that spans openings in the exterior wall. That common usage is why this term is the best fit for exterior wall joist headers. Rim joists are the same perimeter member sometimes called differently, but the everyday carpentry term you’d hear for these headers is band joist. Ceiling joists are separate members that run across the room at the ceiling level and aren’t used as wall headers, and “plate headers” isn’t a standard term in this context.