2x6x22' ok for loft joists?

[accord driver]

Hello everyone,

I'm having a 15' high 28'x22' reverse gambrel roof garage built by a garage builder and they are using only five 2x6x22' to span the loft area. The salesman states I could purchase my own 2x6x22' lumber and have them install them when they build the garage. I plan on having the joists 16" on center. I went to the local lumberyard and looked at the 2x6x22 construction lumber and the 22' span is substantial and I'm worried it may not be adequate. I'm sure once all the beams are in they will be sturdier than looking at a single joist.

The question is if the 22' span on a 2x6 will be okay? I am planning on using the 5' loft for storage, maily plastic storage bins but some are about 15-20 lbs each when loaded.

Anyone here have 2x6's in a long span like this or even close?

 

[bimmer1980]

THat is not acceptable! I really surprised the builder is recommending that. A 2x6 can only span up to about 10' at 16" on center. You might be able to get up to about 12' if you have high quality lumber and go to 12" on center.

your better bet is at least a 2x12 with 16" on center or tighter. A best bet would be to look at an I-joist.

This data is available on span tables. the above data was found at www. southernpine.com/pdf/table01.pdf

Other wise you will need a beam down the center to support the 2x6's. maybe even 2 beams.

 

[PAToyota]

I'm having a 15' high 28'x22' reverse gambrel roof garage built by a garage builder and they are using only five 2x6x22' to span the loft area.

Those are just collar ties - in tension just to keep the side walls from spreading out.

They will not support any load. Trying to span 22' with a 2x6 is not going to allow you to store anything in the loft.

 

[dipper]

I used 2x10x20 to clear span the attic in my garage. 2x6's spanning 22 feet for an attic floor is an accident waiting to happen. That is not to code anywhere in the country.
You need to beef it up if you plan on using it as a storage space.

 

[nonhog]

I over did my 14' span with 2x12's to never worry about strength.
Here is a site that might help......... http://www.ideas-for-deck-designs.com/deck_beam.html

 

[accord driver]

Okay, what would be the bare minimum for a 22' span without a center beam? I am trying to not cut into the already measley 5' storage up top.

 

[StingRay]

I built a small storage area with engineered lumber and the smallest I joist I could use was an 11 inch which on 1 foot centers could span about 20 feet allowing a 40 psf live load. I can't imagine getting regular dimensional lumber clear spanning 22 feet at all and still acutally holding any kind of significant storage load. Maybe look to see if the roof style you want can be built with a truss that has attic storage built into the truss.

 

[nate379]

I'd look at using metal I beams if space is an issue.

 

[twostory]

Your cheapest solution would be "attic storage trusses" But since they are stick building the roof, you will probably need wooden I beams to get any kinda weight capacity.

You need to decide how much weight you will store in this "attic", then you can pick the right beams.

I used 16 inch I beams (16" oc) for my second story. Span was 24 ft. This is more than you will need, look at the wooden I beam charts on the gerogia pacific web pages.

 

[91FE]

Can you even get a 22' 2X6? I can't imagine what you'd use it for.

 

[accord driver]

Scary enough yes you can. Menard's carries the 2x6x24' in stock!

I spoke with a lumberyard at lunh (wanted an opinion from the pro's not ba big box store) and they suggest at least 2x8, it will give 10 psf live load and 5 psf dead load.

Another option they suggested was doubling up the 2x6's or the 2x8's. Any input on that?

 

[autoist]

I used 2x10x20 to clear span the attic in my garage. 2x6's spanning 22 feet for an attic floor is an accident waiting to happen. That is not to code anywhere in the country.
You need to beef it up if you plan on using it as a storage space.

Photos, please..sounds like you did exactly what I'm thinking of doing.

 

[PAToyota]

By the time you double up the 2x6s or 2x8s you're likely going to be spending more money than the engineered wood - either lvls or wood i-joists.

And 5psf for dead load isn't a whole lot. Consider that you'd need to spread the weight of a 200# person over a 5'x8' space and you realize how little you'd be able to store up there.

 

[accord driver]

Problem is that the LVL's and I-Joists are runing at 9 1/2" and 10 1/2" and are not avaialble in 22' spans.

The 2x6x22's are running at $10 each so cost is negligable there. Wondering if I should double every other or every third 2x8?

 

[autoist]

Problem is that the LVL's and I-Joists are runing at 9 1/2" and 10 1/2" and are not avaialble in 22' spans.

The 2x6x22's are running at $10 each so cost is negligable there. Wondering if I should double every other or every third 2x8?

I was thinking about doubling the 2x6x20 or 2x8x20 beam (prefer 2x6, if possible) & then connecting to it with 2x6's on 12" center & doubled every 4th.

&, then, I was thinking about running 2x6 T&G on a 45-degree angle to the front beam.

Would that work?

 

[PAToyota]

You're really not going to get much load capacity out of a 2x6 that long even doubling or tripling them up. The deeper section will gain you load capacity a lot faster.

 

[RPH]

Call lite steel beams in VA. Phone # 540 992 1600. They have a new product for the US and has been in use down under for quite some time. They can supply upto 40 feet.
Web site www.litesteelbeam.com
I installed the tube welder there and was impressed by the product.

 

[StingRay]

I got 24 ft 11" I joist no problem. In may case I spanned 20 ft and cantilevered 4 ft. Check with some different manufacturers. Different areas of North America and different manufacturers have different products available.

 

[autoist]

My problem is I don't want to lose head space below & 10" will be too deep

 

[redsky49]

Asking for structural advice on this forum makes about as much sense as asking for suggestions for do-it yourself heart surgery.

Either have a structural engineer calculate the exact requirements, or have an engineered lumber manufacturer supply the required lumber along with design certification. Rule of thumb estimates just don't cut it.

This is one case where ("my cousin Bubba built his garage with recycled pallets...") anecdotal advice will not serve you well. Do not guess. Do it correctly. And you cannot depend on plan or permit review to do your engineering for you (assuming you pull a permit for the project).

Hold your flames since, as always, offered only as opinion.