@lukekazmierowicz

Diagonal metal straps run across the joist tops and back to the house resist lateral sway better than knee bracing alone — and routing them into shallow recesses lets the decking lie flat over them.

Lumber heights vary, so hangers set to a common bottom leave the tops wavy. A scrap-2x4 fence with pre-set screws lets you pull each joist flush to the beam top first — then the hanger locks in whatever the top needs.