Mezzanine Planning

[Low50s]

Hello, I have done some searches and I have ran across lots of posts and I have not really found the answer I was looking for so I figured I would ask Is there a website that does loft design? or some charts are easy to read for a dumb mechanic like myself? I recently got the inside of my "shop" finished with tin and electric and when I have been putting my stuff in its new home I have realized I am out of room and need to try and access my vertical space (14 ft).
I would like to build a free standing 6x16 Mezzanine with an open "front" so I can tuck my project car under it when I need.
I have seen the talk of LVL often and I am thinking thats what I am going to use. I am just wondering if I need to double the LVL up for my ideas. and what thickness I am needing for them.
I was thinking about 6x10 sitting on 6x6 posts in the corners notched so frame sits on. 10 LVL (9 1/4) according to menards then 2x8 16"oc for my joists
or am I way under building this?

 

[cvairwerks]

Beam sizing is going to be determined by the load you plan for and the span it must bridge. If you are going to use an LVL beam, the supplier should have someone available, or know someone that can advise you about sizing after the calculations are done.

 

[GMCGarage]

a 10" LVL spaning 16' and 3' trib load beyond would be good for about 20 psf. Deflection is controlling. what are you going to store on the mezz?

Talk to the lumber yard, they can help you size it.

 

[Low50s]

a 10" LVL spaning 16' and 3' trib load beyond would be good for about 20 psf. Deflection is controlling. what are you going to store on the mezz?

Talk to the lumber yard, they can help you size it.

I contacted a lumber yard and told them what I wanted to do so we will see if they are able to help.
Plans are for storage for kids toys. Wife’s junk and some car parts for myself. I have a little 8x12 that I stuff most of my car parts now. I figured with my 6’ width I could put a set of shelves on one side and then have decent walking room on the other.

 

[C_F]

This guy's thread may help you a bit...HERE

Post #10 starts the mezzanine project.

 

[Low50s]

This guy's thread may help you a bit...HERE

Post #10 starts the mezzanine project.

That looks great! they did a wonderful job ! I went to the lumberyard in town today and when I asked about LVL sizing and I got the biggest deer in the headlights look which doesn't surprise me. So its back to the drawing board and maybe ill go few towns over and see what there lumberyard has to say. I have something drawn up as a rough sketch of what I think would work but im not an engineer I may post a pic of it just to see what everyone's thoughts are.

 

[Low50s]

Here is kind of my drawing 5 6x6 posts one would be spaced in the middle on the back where I would expect most of the dead load to be so it would only be an 8’ span I would notch the 6x6 for the 1 lvl on that side. Opposite side would be 2lvl seamed together with trusslok fasteners I wish I could use the 7 1/4 so I could just use 2x6 floor joists but I’m worried about being underrated I was just looking to maximize my vertical space