Expert: Dan Griffin - 2/2/2009

Question
I would like to buy an oak painting station for artwork that is rather large. The piece of furniture is approximately 90 inches closed and opens to 142. It is approximately 41 inches deep. It arrives in two crates that are each approximately 500 lbs. I am not sure of the actual weight of the individual pieces. It looks like a large desk with drawers on each side and space to sit in the middle. I am trying to determine if this can be placed on a second story home next to an outside wall or if it is too heavy. We live about 40 miles east of Seattle near Duvall, and we have a two story home built in 1996 and with a crawl space. If you could please get back to me right away, it would really help, since I need to order this item ASAP.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Nadine, it looks as if your object is about 3.5 x 8 or about 28 square feet.  YOur home would have been designed for a minimum of 40# per SF loading.  or about 1120 pounds.  Joists are stronger at there bearing ednds.  

I would say you are just fine.