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TGI vs. 2×12?

| Posted in General Discussion on May 9, 2001 12:02pm

*
I am building a wood shop with a crawl space and a wood floor, 32×75. My architect designed the floor with TGI joists on 12″ centers, but I was wanting 2×12 on 16″ centers. Which is stronger, TGI or 2x12s, if they are spaced the same? Is there much cost difference? I will use 3/4″ subfloor with 3/4″ wh. oak flooring and radiant floor heat.

Thanks!

Randy

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  1. Allyson_Stiles | May 07, 2001 04:47am | #1

    *
    TJI's are always stronger if spaced the same. As far as cost, it all depends. I've seen it go both ways. We use TJI's more than anything else. Much better.

    Billy

    1. Aspenhomebuilding | May 07, 2001 06:40am | #2

      *Tjis are the way to go. They are much stronger, they are able to span greater distances,they have no crown so you get a flatter floor. As far as the cost goes they are a tad more but you will be glad you spent the money. They chords come in varying widths from 1 1/2 inch to 3 1/2 inch we most commonly use the ones with a 2 1/2 inch top and bottom chord. These are called 250s.

      1. Jason | May 07, 2001 10:36pm | #3

        *I also vote TJI's; it's all we use now. My only other caveat to the above is that I'd recommend that you never, ever, look at the price of a building material as a single comparison. Look at the long-term value, loading, comfort, speed of installation, and other factors. If you look for just the cheapest, that's exactly what you'll get, in more ways than one.

        1. Boss_Hog | May 07, 2001 11:06pm | #4

          *Why the 12" O.C. ?If you're splitting the 32' way, you're only spanning 16'. Are you going for higher design loads ?

          1. Randy_Stukenberg | May 08, 2001 01:21am | #5

            *That's exactly what I asked the architect. I had planned on one main beam in the center to carry the joists. His design called for 12" o.c. TJI's and the beam supported every 5' with a concrete column. He said they needed to use a design load of 125 lbs/ sq ft. because this was a "manufacturing" facility. We compromised and ended up with two beams and 16" o.c. Doug Fir 2x12s. Would TJIs carry the load for a small woodshop with a 15' span and 16" o.c.?

          2. Boss_Hog | May 09, 2001 12:02am | #6

            *> Would TJIs carry the load for a small woodshop with a 15' span and 16" o.c.? What load ? What brand and series of I-joist ? Kinda hard to answer. You might be able to get a copy of the manufacturer's literature and figure that out yourself.

  2. Randy_Stukenberg | May 09, 2001 12:02am | #7

    *
    I am building a wood shop with a crawl space and a wood floor, 32x75. My architect designed the floor with TGI joists on 12" centers, but I was wanting 2x12 on 16" centers. Which is stronger, TGI or 2x12s, if they are spaced the same? Is there much cost difference? I will use 3/4" subfloor with 3/4" wh. oak flooring and radiant floor heat.

    Thanks!

    Randy

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