Adding a 2nd floor to an 18-ft shop

[Force Fed Mopar]

I'm thinking of adding a 2nd floor to my 18-ft wide shop, and would like to do it without having support poles underneath. It's roughly 18x25 foot. Wanting to store my spare car parts up there, so a decent load. Is this possible using lumber?

 

[Onewolf]

Do laminated beams count as 'lumber'?

 

[Cyberbear]

I used 2 x 12 @ 16' o/c for a 15' clear span and all is well. I suppose an additional 3' will still work, depending on the load it must support. Try your local building dept. and ask them what the acceptable loading is.

 

[thrytis]

There are calculators out there on the web for figuring this out, such as this one. Check out this page on how to use it.

 

[matt_i]

Just wanted to point out that LVL has a distinct advantage over #2 SPF in both modulus (rigidity) and max fiber strength.

LVL is around 1.9 to 2.0E while SPF is in the 1.1-1.4E range, the max Fb for a 2x10 is around 1100 whereas LVL is in the 2600-2900 range. This is a high level approach leaving out a lot of details but just to point out the basic parameter differences.

It does cost more, but worth it in my opinion. The kiln-dried 2x10s and 2x12s I've bought lately are very crappy timber. The good stuff of years past is all gone now.

 

[jgorm]

I was a bit nervous about using 2x12s, 16oc, for a 10' span. It's rock solid, but I have a 500lb table saw up there!