Q. I need joist hangers for my first floor joists in the basement. The joists in my house, built in 1850, are between 2 and 2 1/2 inches wide. The only joist hangers I’m seeing are built to accommodate a modern 2-inch board and are too narrow. I can purchase those made for two 2-inch boards, but that leaves one-half inch on each side of the joist. Is this OK as long as my nails are long enough, or do you know of any manufacturers that offer a 3-inch wide joist hanger?
DAVID, by e-mail
A. I don’t know if such joist hangers are available. Use the double joist hangers. You can put in extra half-inch plywood blocks to make a tight fit. In some cases I think I did that very thing.
Q. How can I make a good threshold transition from my tiled kitchen floor to my hardwood dining room? There is more than 1 inch difference.
WALTHAM MULTI, in Hotton’s chat room A. Buy an oak threshold ( 3/4-inch thick) at any lumber store. Add a 1/4-inch piece of hardboard to bring the threshold up to the higher floor level. The threshold is tapered on both sides. Cut one taper off so the threshold will butt level against the higher floor. This will allow a noticeable and comfortable transition. I have several such thresholds, one with a difference of 2 inches, and no one has tripped except my mother-in-law, who forgave me.
Q. I had my 1922 house painted last year. Now, rusty nail heads are showing through the white paint. The contract said they should put stainless steel nails in place of rusty nails. They were very nice, and did the job well. They pulled the rusty nails, caulked the holes and put in the new nails, then caulked over them. They will continue to replace nails for three years. Is that acceptable?
MRS. RALPH WEST, Wellesley A. That is acceptable, but if I were you I’d suggest they replace all those nails, and be done with it. They are 87 years old, and galvanized or not, they will indeed rust, sooner than later. Even if you pay them a bit extra, it is worth doing.
Globe Handyman on Call also appears in the Sunday Real Estate section. He’s available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton (photton@globe.com) also chats online about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. Go to www.boston.com 
