LVL only choice?

[FL Guy]

I want to build a mezzanine in my garage against the back wall. I want to span 18’ across with out a center support out front.
Is getting a LVL my only choice?



without a

 

[kbs2244]

a steel beam will work

 

[FL Guy]

a steel beam will work

I beam or H beam?

 

[Jesse69]

My lvl 6x12 spanning 42‘ single pieces used a tractor to lift. But i wanted security. The mezzanine is 26x42. If you use steel you will need to mount wood inside to attach your flooring unless you sit the flooring on it.

 

[nadogail]

LVL may be your best choice, but it will never be your only option. There are too many undisclosed options for me to agree that the only option presented is your best choice.

What is the opinion of your Architect?

 

[CraigStu]

Look at Metwood beams. Our living room has one down the center spanning 21ft w/ the second floor bedrooms above it.

Home

Metwood Building Solutions offers cold formed steel building products, including beams, joists, steel framing, and more. 540-334-4294

www.metwood.com

I don't know why I can never find them on the website but the joist I mentioned is 10or12in tall. It has three metal 2Xs in the center w/ a wood 2X on each side. The neat thing about that is the framers use it just like they would a double or triple 2X. No special skills needed. Since it has wood on each side they use standard joist hangers to connect the 2Xs. You can see the bottom of it here.

 

[TRWham]

Why do you want to avoid an LVL?

 

[FL Guy]

Why do you want to avoid an LVL?

I don’t. What ive seen so far is lvl and I beam.

 

[pattenp]

There's also flitch beams. Steel plate sandwiched between wood members.

 

[u2slow]

2x10" and 2x12" can be had in 20' lengths too. Marry up 3 for a beam.

 

[Nofries]

My Engineer won't use a Flitch beam, LVL is probably your best bet, unless you have steel fab skills. But Steel is probably more expensive plus attachments increase cost also.

 

[strutaeng]

LVL, PSL, Glulam, steel beam (Wide flange, HSS rectangular tube), reinforced concrete beam, precast concrete... concrete is probably not an option for you, just throwing those out there as possibilities.

 

[TRWham]

I don’t. What ive seen so far is lvl and I beam.

I inferred incorrectly from your post title that you did not want to use an LVL. LVL and steel (usually a wide flange beam) are by far the most common long span solutions in residential construction. We are a residential GC and probably do 20 LVLS for every one steel beam. LVLs are easier to handle, less expensive and can be fabricated entirely in the field. The only reason we use steel is in cases where overhead clearance is an issue and there is no room to accommodate an LVL. In your case you might also consider framing it the long way with I-joists depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[kbs2244]

I would leave the choice s an I beam or an H beam up to the steel supplier
They have people who figure these things out

my cost was less than a LVL and they installed it

 

[u2slow]

My steel supplier refused to comment on suitability. Just price and availability.

I would have to go to an engineering/crane company to spec what size beam was required.

 

[larry_g]

My lvl 6x12 spanning 42‘ single pieces used a tractor to lift. But i wanted security. The mezzanine is 26x42. If you use steel you will need to mount wood inside to attach your flooring unless you sit the flooring on it.

Pay attention to the picture above and the support post on the left. By pulling in the post you effectively reduce the span of the beam and can go to a smaller beam saving money. In the OP's case if you pull in the 8x8 posts to be 1' from the wall then you only span 16'. Something to think about and be realistic about just how much stuff you will have against the wall and the effective width you will really have in the opening.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Jeff C]

I don’t know how much you plan on storing up there but running the joists side to side (18’ span) is potentially a pretty easy span for wood I-joists with no beam needed.