Architecture/framing

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Expert: - 4/14/2004


Question
Richard
I live in south jersey
Planning to build a house for a friend of mine and
always forget the proper dimensional type lumber
sizes for the span.
The house will be a simple rectangle thirty feet
wide by sixty feet.
 There will be a beam running down the center on
pillars  to support the floor joists.
I figure a five or six inch pitch for the roof.
Everything will be on sixteen inch centers.
The span being thirty feet with a bearing wall
running down the center of the house, This is what
I was going to use so correct me if I'm wrong.
two by ten floor joists
two by eight ceilng joists
two by eight rafters
If I  can cut back please let me know
  any info appreciated
                  Mike

Answer
Mike:

Thanks for your question.

I can only answer it in a general sense, as there are a number of factors that will affect the size of the structural members of the house.  You'll have to take into account code requirements, local climate conditions, etc.  The details of how the roof and floors are framed will also affect what you need for a stable, safe structure.

The lumber sizes will also be affected by the species of wood used, and what's available locally.

So although I can't make a structural analysis in this forum, I can tell you that generally...

Rafters spanning about 15' should be 2 x 8s
Ceiling joists spanning about 15' should be 2 x 8s
Floor joists spanning about 15' should be 2 x 10s

...depending upon local codes, climate conditions, lumber species, and other factors.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com

Architecture

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Richard Taylor, AIA

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Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

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I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

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American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

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Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

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Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
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2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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