Steel Beam or LVL?

[93L#3008]

Any experts with steel beams. I'm looking for cost and size of a steel beam to span 45' or 36' depending on where I place my loft. Any estimates on per foot costs and what size I need to span this distance?

 

[rslaback]

You didn't give enough information.

To figure this you need to give at least the amount of acceptable posts and the planned loads on the loft.

 

[93L#3008]

Loft will be 45x14. 2x10 joists 16" oc. 2 posts would be fine bit If theres a reasonable cost steel beam with no posts required I would rather go that route. Its not going to be used for heavy storage. Home office/pool table etc

 

[Herb]

I would use either 2"x 12" joists or add a 2" x 4" glued and nailed to the bottom of the 2"x 10". There will be some bounce otherwise, that would stiffen it up. 45' without any posts? That will be a huge beam. I have a 29' span, no posts and I used an 18" x 45 beam, nice and solid, no ctr posts. If you can find and afford a steel beam of the required size, I would try to get it and not use any support post- they are always in the way at some point, no matter where they are placed.

 

[readhead]

I am in the steel biz and get asked this question all the time. We never size a beam. Take your plans to an engineer and have them spec a beam. It might cost $100 depending where you live. Are you going to put a trolly on it and pull engines? All the loads need to be accounted for.
We build things that could fall down and kill you every day. Knowing that the beam is sized for the application gives me peace of mind at the end of the day. The span is not an issue at all with steel.

 

[Dan_inthewind]

You may want to consider over building this and using it as a hoist beam as well as a support beam.

Good luck with it!