A 2×6 spaced 16 inches apart can span a maximum distance of 13 feet 5 inches when used as a rafter, 10 feet 9 inches when used as a joist, and 6 feet 11 inches when used as a deck beam to support joists with a 6-foot span.
Full Answer
How far can you span a 2x6 deck joist?
The maximum distance a 2×6 can span, according to the 2018 IRC, for a floor joist, is 12’-6”, ceiling joist 20’-8”, rafter 18’-0”, deck board 24”, deck joist 9’-11”, deck beam 8’-3”, and 6’-1” as for header. Always check the codes for determining factors or consult a Structural Engineer.
How to calculate floor joist?
Joist Span Calculator
- Select a load. There are six choices. The lowest is a plain ceiling joist with no storage (10 pounds per square foot). ...
- Select the on center spacing for the joists. This is how far apart they will be. ...
- Enter a span for the joist. This will be slightly less than the length of the board. ...
- Finally, select a type of lumber. No. ...
What is the best wood for floor joists?
- southern yellow pine.
- Red oak.
- Douglus fir.
- White ceder.
- Pine – white.
- Spruce sitka.
- Hard maple.
What size are floor joists in residential construction?
Understanding Floor Joist Spans
- Wood Species. Different wood species have different strength characteristics, with some having much higher bending strength than others.
- Lumber Grade. The fewer defects contained in a piece of lumber, the stronger it will be. ...
- Lumber Size. ...
- Load. ...
- Joist Span Tables. ...
How far can you span a 2x6 floor joist?
2-grade 2×6 joists can span up to 10 feet 9 inches from beam to beam when spaced the standard 16 inches apart with a maximum live load of 30 inches per square foot. In comparison, No. -1 grade lumber can span slightly further to 10 feet 11 inches under the same parameters.
Are 2x6 OK for floor joists?
2x6s may be used for floor joists, ceiling joists, or rafters and have differing spans for the same grades and species. Loads are divided into live or snow loads and dead load considerations. A plank used for a floor joist commonly has different load factors than a ceiling joist or rafter.
How do you reinforce 2x6 floor joists?
If the floor is bouncy but the joists are not sagging, the simplest fix is to reinforce the joists by installing additional joists adjacent to the original ones. Called “sistering,” this is done from beneath the floor in the crawl space. New two-by-six joists are cut to fit snugly beside the old ones.
What is the load bearing capacity of a wood 2x6?
According to the Codes, a 2×6 on edge with the weight pressing through 5.5” of wood will support approximately 53lbs per linear foot. So, an 8-foot length will support about 424lbs. However, a short span 2×6 on edge can support between 600 and 900lbs depending on wood species, grade, and other factors.
How far can a joist span?
The grade and wood species also determine how far the joist can span. A structural select (SS) Douglas fir-larch 2×6 floor joist at 12” on center (O.C.) and combined loads of 40psf, which is common for sleeping areas, can span 12’-6” while a #1 or #2 SPF (spruce-pine-fir) can span only 11’-3”.
How far can a 2x6 rafter span?
Depending on the factors, a 2×6 rafter can span between 4’-11” and 18’-0”, which is a rather large difference. The span decreases as the spacing and load increase and is dependent on the type and grade of timber. The stronger the species and higher the grade, the farther it can span. Roofs with lightweight roofing and no ceiling commonly have a dead load rating of 10psf and those with heavy roofing are rated at 20psf. However, rafters with light-weight roofing and a drywall ceiling have a dead load of 15psf while a plaster ceiling is 20psf. Heavy roofing changes the dead load rating to 25psf and 30psf respectively.
How thick is a 2x6 deck?
2x6s are 1/2″ thicker and thus stronger than 5/4×6 and can span up to 24” O.C. while most 5/4” thick planks max at 16” O.C. spans. Loads affect joist spacing and span which also impact decking choice. Hot tubs require additional support, so always reference your local building code when building a deck.
What is the dead load of a ceiling joist?
Ceiling joists without living or storage above commonly have a dead load of 5psf and a live load of 10psf. Those spaced at 12” O.C., can span 20’-8” with DFL-SS and 18’-8” with SPF#1 or #2, and 18’9” or 16’-11” respectively at 16” O.C. Attics with some storage have a dead load of 10psf and a live load of 20psf. At 12” O.C., the spans are 16’-4” for DFL-SS and 14’-9” for #1 or 2 SPF, and 14’-11” or 12’-10” respectively at 16” O.C.
What is the span of a DFL SS?
Changing the combined load of 50psf, which is common for living areas, and 12” O.C., the spans are 11’-4” for the DFL-SS and 10’-3” for SPF #1 & #2. Spacing the joists at 16” O.C. for 50psf loads and the spans are 10’-4” for DFL-SS and 9’-4” for SPF #1 & #2.
How to determine how far a 2x6 can span?
The distance a 2×6 can span is determined by the species and grade, load requirements, spacing, and use. Span increases as the spacing decreases but it decreases as loads increase. The grade and wood species also determine how far the joist can span.
What is a 2x6 plank?
2x6s may be used for floor joists, ceiling joists, or rafters and have differing spans for the same grades and species. Loads are divided into live or snow loads and dead load considerations. A plank used for a floor joist commonly has different load factors than a ceiling joist or rafter.
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How far apart can you space a 2x6 joist?
For example, the highlighted cell (below) shows that a 2" x 6" Southern Yellow Pine joist, with a grade of #2, and spaced 24" apart can have a maximum span of 10 feet - 0 inches (10-0), if you are designing your structure to support a plaster ceiling.
What is the floor joist table used for?
If this is the case with your structure, use the Floor Joist Table to determine maximum joist length/load.
What are the variables that determine floor joist span?
When we break this down, the variables determining floor joist span are joist spacing, load, wood species, and lumber quality.
How far can a 2x6 span?
A two-ply 2×6–2x6s are typically doubled up when used as support beams–length of yellow pine can span up to 6 feet 8 inches from post to post on a deck with joists that span 6 feet from beam to beam. Cedar and redwood, in comparison, can only span up to 5 feet 2 inches on a deck with 6-foot joist spans.
How is rafter span determined?
When framing a roof, rafter span is determined by how far dimensional lumber can travel from the top of a wall plate to the roof peak and still provide adequate support for the roof.
What is a 2x6?
A 2×6 is a versatile piece of dimensional lumber suitable for a diverse range of structural needs , ranging from beams for decking to rafters for a roof. While a 2×6 can handle a broad range of applications, determining how far a 2×6 can span when used for structural framing can be difficult to calculate.
What is span in lumber?
Span refers to the distance a piece of dimensional lumber can cover before it needs to be supported by a foundation or support post. When span guidelines are given, they refer to the distance between the center of one support to the center of another. So, in the case of deck beams, span refers to the distance between the center ...
What is the maximum live load for a deck?
In the case of a deck, this would be the weight of people and pets on top of the deck. For a deck with a maximum live load of 40 pounds per square foot and a dead load of 10 pounds per square foot (for a total load of 50 pounds per square foot), the maximum span is 9 feet 5 inches for a No. 1 quality 2×6 joist spaced 16 inches apart.
What is span in a deck?
In the case of floor beams, span refers to how far the beam can span before it needs support from a post or piling. For deck joists, span determines the distance a joist can cover before it needs support from a supporting beam.
Joists & Rafters
Simplified maximum span tables for selected visual and mechanical grades of Southern Pine lumber in sizes 2×4 thru 2×12. Listed are 46 tables based on common loading conditions for floor joists, ceiling joists and rafters.
Headers & Beams
Simplified span tables for Southern Pine lumber and glued laminated timber (glulam) headers, beams and girders.