Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 28, 2000 03:27am | #1

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   Unless you gave him more info than you're giving us, no way he could know.

   What is this beam supporting? How much floor, what live and dead loads, roof loads, attic storage, snow loads, gable or eave end of roof, bath tub, etc, etc, etc.

   Webmaster: can we get a FAQ section please?

2. 
   Rich_Bechtold | May 28, 2000 03:35am | #2

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   The beam is supporting 12 feet of a second floor no bath just empty room, possible bedroom, middle of the house, no gables or eave ends, no attic storage, the house is located in Flat Rock, Micigan.

3. 
   Guest_ | May 28, 2000 03:55am | #3

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   Rich,
   From this info, the beam seems about right. I installed LVLs in a similar situation last month, but mine were supporting the roof as well. The beams were 17 feet long and 16 inches in depth. Here's the kicker though, I had mine designed by the lumber yard that I deal with. They had a computer program that plugged in all the design info, and then spit out the other end the exact sizes that I needed for my situation. The program even told me that the beam would deflect 1/2 inch under maximum load. That is the route that I would suggest for the safest outcome. A lot of times the building inspector will want to see this documentation to give the permit.

4. 
   Rich_Bechtold | May 28, 2000 04:04am | #4

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   Tim J, Thanks for the info, i figured it was ok, but i like your suggestion to have the lumber yard input the info in a puter sounds safe to me i will give it a try, thanks again for the info.

1. 
   Chris_Barritt | May 29, 2000 03:45pm | #5

   *He Rich, you'd better get an architect/engineer to advice you on the load carrying requirements as I did. I did a similar job on my home. I took out a 22' section of load bearing wall & transferred it to 2 14" X 22' lvlIs nailed together, BUT there was a post @ the 13' point so the span was reduced to 13' @ the greatest point. That's what they spec'd out for me. It sounds like you could be pushing it

5. 
   Rich_Bechtold | May 29, 2000 03:50pm | #6

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   Hey guys help me out please. My lumber guy said 2 lvl beams 1.75 x 14 x 18 will carry a 2nd floor over a span of 18 feet. Just want to make sure, hate to install and the floor fall or sag.
   Thanks