I'm starting the framing of our 20x30 1.5 story this week. I want to go to a local mill while i'm up at camp to see about getting some rough cut timbers made for the loft floor joists. I will have a full loft with exposed ceiling. I'm pretty sure D/F is not available at the mill.
1) Can I use another type of wood to span the 20' ???
2) What size wood should i use and what spacing???? Probably use 2x6 for loft floor.
3) Could I use a center beam with a couple posts to cut the span down to 10' since i have a steel beam down the center of the camp???
Thanks Pete
Try this.
http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/timbercalcstyle.asp?species=Hem-Fir+(North)&size=2x12&grade=No.+2&member=Floor+Joists&deflectionlimit=L%2F360&spacing=16&wet=No&incised=No&liveload=40&snowload=-1&deadload=10&submit=Calculate+Maximum+Horizontal+Span
Thanks. What if I want to double up the joists or use 4x material??? Pete
My understanding then is that you could double the joist spacing if the floor material is rated for the loading between joists. John does that in his plans in places.