Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 08, 2002 04:55am | #1

   truss it and the truss plant will do it for you, floors and roof.

   or

   google for spancalc.com

   http://www.cwc.ca/design/design_tools/software/spanc112.exe

   Excellence is its own reward!
2. 
   jeffn7 | Jul 08, 2002 05:29am | #2

   Trus Joist information can be had at http://www.tjm.com/index.cfm

3. 
   BossHog | Jul 08, 2002 02:18pm | #3

   Here are some southern pine span tables.

   http://www.southernpine.com/tables/

   When you're looking for span charts, make sure you ask about the correct species for your area. Most of us aren't gonna have any idea what lumber is readily available in your area. as we don't live near there.

   Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

4. 
   fielder | Jul 08, 2002 02:46pm | #4

   You should, at a minimum, have a copy of the current building code in which the allowable spans for the various grades of lumber  will be listed. You will also need to know (from the building department) what floor loading is used for your area. this also applies to the ceiling and roof. Obviously you'll need to know the clear spans between load bearing supports (girders or walls). If you have spans greater than 14', I would highly recommend that you size the floor joists for L/480 deflection rather than the standard L/360 deflection (less bounce as you walk through).

   Your local lumber yard should also be able to help you. I would shy away from getting sizing advice from a big box store such as Home Depot or Lowes. If you are doing something very unique with flooring or roofing systems, I would seriously consider enlisting the services of an architect or a structural engineer.

   Just another recommendation: 3/4" Tongue and Groove  is the standard subfloor in Northern Illinois. Not only was it glued to the joists, I put a bead of glue in the groove then used ring shank nails as opposed to the standard 8d commons. Other high end builders around here actually screww the plywood down. Eliminate squeaks before they start, because it will be an incredible annoyance later.

   Good luck

5. 
   JohnSprung | Jul 09, 2002 12:33am | #5

   Ask first at your building department.  Ours has a four page xeroxed handout full of useful info, spans, nailing schedules, etc.  Do it according to the handout, and they're happy.  If you want to do something beyond what's in the handout, they'll require an engineer's wet stamp.

   -- J.S.