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Joist Span for 2 X 10

georgep | Posted in Construction Techniques on September 5, 2008 02:52am

Hi,

A friend is building a 20′ X14′ deck, and is planning to span the 14′ with a single joist, no beam in the middle.    A deck book he has….actually,I let him borrow it, says that he can span that distance but it seems to me the deck would be pretty bouncyand he should split the difference.  Going to a 2X12 is not an option because of height issues ; the deck is pretty close to the ground.  What do you think?

George

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Replies

  1. frammer52 | Sep 05, 2008 03:04am | #1

    2x10 is fine, I believe max span is 15'4", can't remember for sure.



    Edited 9/4/2008 8:05 pm ET by frammer52

  2. JeffinPA | Sep 05, 2008 03:10am | #2

    yep

    2x10 will span it.

    If concerned about deflection, can always add cross blocking at midspan.

    Also, SYP is much stronger than most other lumbers so spans are greater, however, some codes have increased design load requirements for decks due to some deck failures during parties.

  3. Framer | Sep 05, 2008 03:27am | #3

    14', no problem at all with 2x10's. If your not comfortable, set the girdger back at 12'.

     

    Joe Carola
  4. cargin | Sep 05, 2008 05:28am | #4

    george

    Try this span calculator.

    http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/timbercalcstyle.asp

    Rich

  5. IdahoDon | Sep 05, 2008 09:25pm | #5

    I'd go to a closer spacing, say 12" on center, or even closer.

    Best of luck

     

    Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

  6. user-201496 | Sep 05, 2008 10:05pm | #6

    Set the girders at 2' and 12', then the span is only 10'. Mid point bridging will not increase the joist span and may cause squeaking of the floor system.

    1. Bing187 | Sep 06, 2008 01:02am | #7

              Don't you guys read? The op said "no beam, span 14"

      If he had room for a beam, or two beams, he could use 2x12.

      2x10 is ok, max 14'-6" w/ kd spruce, syp should be fine. A row of blocking at the 7' point will stiffen it, too.

      Bing

      1. frammer52 | Sep 06, 2008 01:32am | #8

        don't come down on us too hard, you know we're just construction workers>G<

        1. Bing187 | Sep 06, 2008 02:34am | #10

          It's all good  :)

          1. frammer52 | Sep 06, 2008 02:52am | #11

            yep>G<

      2. Framer | Sep 07, 2008 12:29am | #12

        Don't you guys read? The op said "no beam, span 14"

        He does have a beam, it's just that it's at the end and is a flush beam.

         Joe Carola

        1. Bing187 | Sep 07, 2008 03:22am | #14

           Gee, thanks for clarifying that. I thought the 2x10's were going to hang in mid air 14' away from the house. I was pointing out the height issue. No beam under. :)

          Bing

          1. Framer | Sep 07, 2008 03:31am | #15

            Good job!Joe Carola

          2. Bing187 | Sep 07, 2008 03:44am | #16

            Thanks!

            Ps. What's a girdger?

            Bing

          3. Framer | Sep 07, 2008 04:09am | #17

            Ps. What's a girdger?

            Wow, you went back to point out that I misspelled girder? I won't be able to sleep now.

             Joe Carola

          4. Bing187 | Sep 07, 2008 05:33pm | #18

            Didn't think it was any more picky than " there is a beam, it's just on the end and it's flush"

            just kiddin around dude.......

          5. fingersandtoes | Sep 07, 2008 06:34pm | #19

            If there isn't room for two beams, maybe there is room for one at the midpoint. Then the span would be zero.

          6. Piffin | Sep 07, 2008 07:55pm | #20

            LOL, after watching you two go at it, I think I'll head for someplace peaceful and quiet like the POL threads in the Tavern 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          7. Framer | Sep 08, 2008 12:39am | #22

            I'll head for someplace peaceful and quiet like the POL threads in the Tavern

            POL, is that stand for Pollution threads................;-) Those political threads are the biggest joke ever, here and at JLC.

            Joe Carola

            Edited 9/7/2008 5:40 pm ET by Framer

          8. john7g | Sep 08, 2008 12:51am | #23

            a quote from Chief Architects site written by the administrator Doug Park regarding discussion about politics & religion

            My observation over time is that the wise man stays out of these discussions because he will know that his opinion is not nor ever will be fully shared by others. These discussions can only lead to an agreement to disagree at best and an all out flame war at worst.

            seems to be a smart observation

          9. Framer | Sep 08, 2008 01:04am | #24

            I agree with him 100%.Politics, Religion and Racism all turn out that way 100% guaranteed.

             

             Joe Carola

          10. Bing187 | Sep 09, 2008 03:17am | #25

            Now I really feel dumb......I havent been reading the pol threads cause I thought they were polish......

            Bing

          11. Framer | Sep 08, 2008 12:22am | #21

             

            Didn't think it was any more picky than " there is a beam, it's just on the end and it's flush"

            just kiddin around dude.......

            No problem. I guess the,"Don't you guys read?" comment stirred me up a little. 

             

             

             

             Joe Carola

  7. JohnFinn | Sep 06, 2008 01:45am | #9

    Your good w/2x10, but also consider any additional weight he may have on the deck and placement. I usually design decks for 60 psf here in Michigan, and many codes in our area require that loading. So, technically I guess your pushing the limits of the span with treated lumber, but that being said, I am one to go single beam as well. I would consider the 12" o/c spacing as mentioned by other(s). Your only talking a few xtra 2x's.

  8. User avater
    Matt | Sep 07, 2008 02:38am | #13

    I just had one framed - 14'x16' w/ 2x10-14' joist spans.  They are SYP as is most all PT here.  There is some bounce but not bad.

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