FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Wood I beam prices?

Hudson Valley Carpenter | Posted in General Discussion on October 14, 2009 12:14pm

I’m working up a materials list for my next home and I’d like to look at options and their prices, for the floor system.  Biggest span is twenty feet. 

What floor system do you recommend and what’s the current price, per lineal foot?

I looked at GP’s web site.   It said their 11 7/8″ LVL I-joist would be good up to twenty-one feet on 24″ centers.  How does that fit with your experience?  Got a perference?

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. frammer52 | Oct 14, 2009 12:29am | #1

    I like the 11 7/8 depth, but I like them on 16 centers.  Stiffens the floor up.

    1. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Oct 14, 2009 12:55am | #2

      I knew I was going to get that comment. <G>  I'm sold on 16" centers too but I might go with 24" as an economy measure.  Depends on the price.

      So how much, per lineal foot, does a large order of 11 7/8 go for these daze?   

      Edited 10/13/2009 5:56 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter

      1. frammer52 | Oct 14, 2009 01:15am | #4

        Can't tell you.

  2. Carpeater | Oct 14, 2009 01:12am | #3

    what's the desired floor covering?

  3. WillieWonka | Oct 14, 2009 01:22am | #5

    I'm doing a new build right now and I had to span 19'10" in one room and 21' in another. I used 11 7/8" I-joists with 3.5" flanges and T&G Advantech subflooring. Owner wanted to feel as little vibration as possible. I set on 12" centers. That floor is rock solid, very little vibration. We drop lumber on it (by accident) and the vibration is very minimal. Price here was $2.06/lf.

    If at first you don't succeed, try using a hammer next time...everything needs some extra persuasion from time to time.  -ME
    1. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Oct 14, 2009 02:34am | #10

      Price here was $2.06/lf.

      There we go...thanks.  Not so bad, difference of about $1200 between 24" centers and 16"  for the duplex I'm planning.   Shouldn't break the bank, not that item anyway. 

       

  4. User avater
    BossHog | Oct 14, 2009 01:35am | #6

    I know I've beat this subject to death here, but have you read the thread on floor vibration?

    http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=21010.1

    Personally, I don't like to see 11 7/8" I-joists spanning over about 18'. But I'm pretty conservative.

    The ones you saw on their website that will span 21' on 2' centers might be a special order wide flange I-joist that will cost twice what a typical I-joist will. You would be better off checking to see what brand and series is available locally.

    Prices vary a lot. It depends on the series of I-joists, the supplier, and the distributor. About all you can do is price a system out and see what it comes to.

    If you're thinking about 2' centers, wood webbed floor trusses might be a good choice.

    If you're looking at tile anywhere, I think they strongly recommend 16" centers.

    The President has kept all of the promises he intended to keep. (Clinton aide George Stephanopolous speaking on Larry King Live)
    1. User avater
      BossHog | Oct 14, 2009 01:38am | #7

      BTW - I like to avoid calling them "I-beams". It seems to give people the idea that they're a heck of a lot stronger than they really are.
      What do I know about sex? I'm a married man. [Tom Clancy]

    2. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Oct 14, 2009 02:48am | #11

      have you read the thread on floor vibration?

      Ron, thanks for the link to that excellent post.  I hadn't read it before but it doesn't surprise me to hear that depth is more important that spacing, for stiffness.  It's very helpful to have you confirm that, both scientifically and from experience.  

      Having framed a few cheap vacation homes and quite a few well engineered primary residences, the difference in vibration and deflection is pretty obvious when a few men are walking around on them at once.  

      Our "Mr. Whipple" engineering test was to drop a 50lb box of nails in the middle to the span, see if that made the saw horses jump off the floor.  Good for a laugh when the joists were a minimum depth.    

  5. fingersandtoes | Oct 14, 2009 01:40am | #8

    What happened to the 19.2" spacing that most I joists used when they first came out? You never seem to see it anymore.

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Oct 14, 2009 01:46am | #9

      I never used 19.2" centers on I-joists - Just floor trusses. Maybe that varies by region?

      I never knew what real happiness was until I got married; and then it was too late.

    2. DanH | Oct 14, 2009 04:55am | #13

      People got lost looking for the diamonds on their tape measures.
      As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz

  6. User avater
    Matt | Oct 14, 2009 04:01am | #12

    20' span?  Open web floor trusses.  Makes plumb/hvac/elect a heck of a lot easier too.

    1. frammer52 | Oct 14, 2009 05:56pm | #14

      Open web floor trusses never caught on in the NE.  Can't really explain why, but they haven't.

      1. User avater
        Matt | Oct 15, 2009 02:53am | #15

        Here is part of the reason.  They are great for slab houses since you can't have many of the utilities under the main floor, so you are dependant on a large percentage HVAC & electrical being in the floor system between the 1st and 2nd floor.  Plumbing has to be were it has to be, but it always sucks having people drilling on your solid wood joists.  Slab houses aren't common where you are because of the cold.  I'll be the first one to say slab houses aren't my favorite, but they do work better in warm climates.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans

Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business
  • A Summer Retreat Preserved in the Catskill Mountains
  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #332 Online Highlights

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data