Designing a Loft

[stppinz]

I am starting to think of ideas for a loft I want to build in my shop. I am trying to make it cheep and have a line on a tree/log to use as the main beam. It will span about 25' and the 2x8's will be 10' long. So the loft would be around 300 sq ft. Does anyone know of a bracket that you can hook the flat 2x8 to a round log/beam?

Thanks for any info. Any any feed back would be apreciated about this idea. Still debating if it would be worth it or not. Im affraid to price a beam of that length.

 

[Willy Victor]

I hate to say it but you might have to make a bracket yourself.
Willy

 

[3/4tonYJ]

i was debating the same thing when designing my garage.
how big the loft and stuff,
spanning 25" feet...........i just had to ask, you planning on using some support post(s)? I'm thinking it would be almost required with log. i talked alot with different companies before ordering an "I" beam (to span 28' feet). Was the single most expensive purchase, but worth it in the end. (no posts)

i bolted a 2" x 6" to the top of the "I" beam to have something to attach the second floor too, it has over-lapped 2 x 10's for floor joices (spelling)? then i just used small angle brackets to help make attachment easy and secure.

i guess i'm thinking, maybe attach a 2 x 6 (or 8) to the top of the log for a flat surface to work with, and then most standard brackets could be used

 

[Sundowner]

I think you really should price an engineered timber beam for the span you're looking at. even if you can get a salvage steel beam, that would be better.

Even if the beam is $300, what's it gonna cost to fix the car you park underneath that free log that ruptured?

 

[DynoDave]

I think I'm going to have to agree with Willy Victor.

My only other thought is to check with some log home manufacturers, and see if they fabricate brackets like that for putting lofts in log homes.

 

[Hackerbill]

NOT a framer but...
For such a big span I'd use (at least!) laminated 2x12s at the code recommended thickness or more to get the strength of multiple grain patterns and help prevent "sagging log syndrome"...and you still might have some issues!

Your not storing feathers up there either...right?

You might be stuck with steel or an engineered wood truss of some type.

 

[mleichtle]

Have the log sliced in half, then hogged out to cover an engineered beam. Thats how most log homes I've seen are built. Or the beam is lowered, and the floor above is cantilevered over it.

 

[stppinz]

Im not to worried about the beam breaking. I have seen a lot smaller logs used for roofs in cabins that require a lot large load (snow) capacity than I am going to use.
It will for sure need a couple of support posts, or an idea was thrown at me to possable use some chain or cable and support it from the rafters??
I do have a connection on I beams but they are 3,000 mils away in South Carolina. Not much help. Kind of obvious but would a 25' I beem, 10-12" need any supports?

 

[Hackerbill]

Im not to worried about the beam breaking. I have seen a lot smaller logs used for roofs in cabins that require a lot large load (snow) capacity than I am going to use.
It will for sure need a couple of support posts, or an idea was thrown at me to possable use some chain or cable and support it from the rafters??
I do have a connection on I beams but they are 3,000 mils away in South Carolina. Not much help. Kind of obvious but would a 25' I beem, 10-12" need any supports?

Well, if "it will for sure need a couple of support posts" your span is the distance between THOSE posts...not the total length of the log from wall to wall. In that case and assuming your gonna space the supports at even distances, I'd say it would be fine.
Naturally you need columns that are up to the task and mounted securely.

As for hanging from the rafters...you'll be holding a good portion of the actual floor weight...plus a portion of the actual load the floor carries...plus the weight of a portion of the roof...plus a good portion of any snow load...all on two rafters fastened to a ridge beam and not originally designed to keep side thrust off the walls like an engineered truss.

I can see the need for Engineer approval for that as well.
I'd go with columns or call in the experts!

 

[Sundowner]

what's the area of the loft? 25' by how deep?

 

[stppinz]

what's the area of the loft? 25' by how deep?

8-9 Feet. Im having a coworker draw it up in AutoCad right now. I will post the proposed plan when I get it.

With the chain idea I would defiantly connect the chain to a piece of board, or what ever, that would span of the shop, not just the 2 rafters....just a thought. It would be nice to get away from any posts is possible. But would be a horrible thing is they were necessary.

 

[autoist]

Try these people:

http://www.socketsystems.com

 

[3/4tonYJ]

would a 25' I beem, 10-12" need any supports?

it really depends on the "load" it's going to be supporting. just for reference, i have a 28' I-beam thats 14" x 6.5", It has a 16' x 28' loft above it.
i estimated 300 pounds per square ft. and the beam company told me that i would need a post, (that a 14" tall beam could only go 25' at 300 lbs/ft.) anything over that and the beam might get "bouncy" i ended up lowering my estimated weight, and not going with a post. it seems like i have a huge beam (and it's not bouncy at all).............
just my non-engineer .02 cents

 

[stppinz]

Here is what I have so far in design...

I want to just extend the ceiling of the bathroom all the way to the front of the shop. And like I said, it is just for storage - camping gear, christmas lights etc. Maybe a couch and TV just for kicks too. I would rather attach the 2x8's to the face of the log and not the top for more clearance.