Second Floor Joist Spacing

While most residential construction uses 2x8 joists with 16 inch spacing there are many other factors you need to consider when determining the proper joist span length.

Second floor joist spacing.

Joist span and spacing is set by your local building code. Joist span table use these tables to determine floor joist spans based on grade of lumber size of joist floor joist spacing and a live load of 30 lbs ft 2 or 40 lbs ft 2 these tables can also be used to determine deck joist span. Floor joists spaced on regular intervals span the areas between supports such as walls foundations girders and beams. Joist sizing and spacing are determined by building codes which are based on.

Common sense tells you that large floor joists can carry more load and spacing joists closer together also increases the load bearing capacity of a floor. A live load of 60 pounds per square foot demands more support and shorter spans. Floor joists installed on second or third or higher levels double as ceiling joists for the level below. Putting all these factors together gives the minimum size joists needed for various types of wood grades of lumber sizes of boards spacing of joists and the load that will be placed on the floor.

In the past 2x4s or 2x6s were sometimes used as floor joists. 2 grade of douglas fir are indicated below. 1 ft 0 3048 m. You should also check your local building codes before starting construction and consult a structural engineer in unusual or extreme situations.

Dead load weight of structure and fixed loads 10 lbs ft 2. Douglas fir 2 by 10 joists graded as structural select allows joist spans up to 21 feet for a live load of 30 pounds per square foot when spaced 12 inches apart 19 feet 1 inch for 16 inch spacing and 16 feet 8 inches for 24 inch spacing. But larger is not always better when builders are constructing a home or adding a room addition. This size is no longer acceptable when framing a structure.

When building a house or even a deck it is important to confirm you have the correct joist sizes spans and spacing before you get started. The extra two inches of vertical distance when a floor is framed with 2 x 10 joists rather than 2 x 12s can be quite important for example. When determining the floor joist size measure the length of the span. View of second story floor joists from below.

Live load is weight of furniture wind snow and more. Maximum floor joist span for no. Normal spacing is 16 inches on center from center to center though some floors may have joists on 12 inch or 24 inch centers. The next factor to consider is the joist spacing that will be used and the amount of weight the flooring will need to support.

In buildings with basements the first level of floor joists serves the same purpose. 1 psf lb f ft 2 47 88 n m 2. The span is the inside dimension from the support on one end to the support on the opposite end.