Expert: Dan Griffin - 3/15/2008

Question
Can I use wood I beams instead of laminated beams to span my garage front to back?  2x10 or 2x12 joists will sit perpendicular on top of these then 3/4" subfloor.  Area will be used for storage

Answer
Larry, you are creating a structural bearing member called a beam or girder.  This beam can be steel, ganged up dimension lumber (2x12, etc) with or without a flitch plate, LVL, or any combination that provides the necessary carrying capacity to deal with the loads imposed.  These loads must be transferred to the foundation and it must be capable of these increased loads.  You've not given any dimensions for this garage, so I'm a bit lost why you need the beam.  It will be a very deep beam if you want to have no posts, and I hope this beam isn't in the middle of the garage door header.

I assume you are calling ganged up 2x as a laminated beam.
You may be using the term for an LVL, laminated veneer lumber.

I think you may be better off to consider using the the TJI type (wood I beams) for clear span joists instead of 2x bearing on a beam, just eliminate the beam completely.  You could also consider trusses designed for storage.