ridge beam size help

[matt_i]

TRUE !
2
"New to me" was a type of "man made" dimensional lumber that is basically OSB, with longer "flakes", that are more "oriented" (Look at a piece of OSB. Do those look "oriented" to you ?) called "parallel strand lumber".

The manufacturing process is very similar, but the uncured "mat" is think enough for the final compressed and cured sheet/slab can be cut into the appropriate width 2by material.

It should be cheaper than SPF 2by, especially >8", but I don't know how strong it is. No where near as strong wood I-beams or LVL.

Important to research first. PSL is minimum sized in 3-1/2" wide, special order, non-returnable at my local lumberyard. A 3-1/2 x 7" PSL is $14 per linear foot, so considerably more than laminating a stack of 2x4s. The main advantage of the PSL is that it can be ordered wolmanized/treated throughout the entire cross-section as opposed to 2x lumber where its "pushed" into the cross section by a diffusion process without guarantee of reaching the center. So the PSL can be used for ground contact. In my opinion its a beam for under a deck without further weatherproofing treatment.

LVLs on the other hand are stocked in 16 sizes with 1-3/4" minimum (so 2 can be ganged up on a 3-1/2" wall). LVL 1-3/4 x 7-1/4 is $3.26/ft which is slightly more competitive in doubled form than the PSL.

 

[heavyzee]

I'm in houston with zero snow load, and my spec'd beams were pretty darm large.

I had 2- 1-3/4" X 18" LVL laminated nailed and bolted as the ridge beam 24' long, and the crossbeam as a 3-1/2" X 16" anthony POWERBEAM. the opposite end was supported by a 4x4.

It was no small feat getting these in place