I-Beam strength

[bfr57]

Looking at building a lounge/game room loft in my garage and ran across some I-beams locally. They are 8"x4", 1/4" thick, 14' long. Will they support a load for somethin like that? Would probably just go 14' square. I thought I would use 2x10s for the joists and put them on top of the beams. How would you attach them to the beam?

 

[Mustang51js]

Your better off calling a lumber yard they should have a book with all that info and most places will give it to you over the phone.

 

[readhead]

How would they be supported? 2x10 would be a stretch for 14'. You can bolt a plate to the top of the beam and nail the joists to that. It might work with one at each end and midspan.

 

[KELLHAMMER]

It's a cart before the horse question. Design the building first than use a beam that is properly sized carry the loads applied to it.
Floor joist can bear on top of a steel beam or flush frame into the sides of it.
Flush design : A 2x wood plate gets attached to the top flange with thru bolts. Then a top mounted joist hanger will support the joist ends.
Joist bearing on top uses the same wood plate and can anchored to plate with toe nails, hold down clips, metal strapping etc

 

[GTO]

Your better off calling a lumber yard they should have a book with all that info and most places will give it to you over the phone.

Most lumber yards will NOT advise on something like this,too much liability involved.
Contact a structural engineer or architect.

Good luck.

 

[brownbagg]

look it up in the steel book

 

[Toofast28]

Are you planning to only support the beams at the corners/ends of beans? If so I will say no way that's heavy enough.