joist span

[bigjames79]

hey guys, im new to the forum. i plan on building a 30x30 garage with a stick built roof and i wanted to have some storage in the attic, just wanted to know if i can use a single piece of lumber to span the full 30 feet for the ceiling joists.

 

[readhead]

Yes, but it would be a lot easier to use attic truss's. Probably cheaper also.

 

[DekeT]

hey guys, im new to the forum. i plan on building a 30x30 garage with a stick built roof and i wanted to have some storage in the attic, just wanted to know if i can use a single piece of lumber to span the full 30 feet for the ceiling joists.

It would probably help if you actually bought a book on framing/carpentry and read a little before you jumped into this diy project.

 

[KCarGuy]

A Good Friend (who was a Home Builder) helped me build my 30 wide by 25 deep garage.
My Joist were set up to go North/South (or the 30 foot width).
The Inspector wanted me to have a post in the center, which i did not want.
So we installed a Steel Beam running East/West, between the 2 car door and the single car door, then installed 2x12 joist that overlapped 2 feet over the beam.
The beam also had a 2x6 attached to it (on top, laying down) so the joist had something to nail to.
what started out as Storage upstairs, wound up being a second floor.
If you can...Over Do it!

 

[bigjames79]

thanks for the input guys right now im just exploring my options i have not priced out trusses yet but i figured i would get more space up there if i went with stick built.

 

[Norm01]

You cannot span 30' without some sort of beam, posts or supporting wall. In my area, 2x10 with 16" spacing will yield about a 15' span.

 

[bad_idea]

A beam like carguy used is also good for rigging, when properly sized and installed.

 

[bczygan]

You can span 30' with almost any material, even balsa wood.

The question is, what load you are supporting, what deflection is acceptable, what depth of member is possible, and what is the most economical solution.

 

[pattenp]

16 inch engineered floor joist on 12 inch centers will span 30ft.

http://www.buildgp.com/wood-i-beam-joists

 

[Falcon67]

Search the web for "span tables". Its load, length and material dependent. I don't know of any piece of 2x lumber that will go 30' clear span.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Where do you buy a 30ft long piece of lumber?????

 

[theoldwizard1]

You cannot span 30' without some sort of beam, posts or supporting wall.

Not exactly true !

You can not do it with standard 2by lumber. No problems with glulams or parallel chord truss (a.k.a. flat truss or floor joist truss). Trusses must be "engineered" to the span and load specification and in some areas, building codes may require them to be built by a certified truss manufacturer.