Expert: Dan Griffin - 3/4/2009

Question
Dan,
 Glad to have finally found this site. I have a 2nd story master bath remodel. It is on wood trusses (2x4, metal joint reinforced, 14" high, 24" spacing), 3/4" plywood. They span 18'.  I want to be sure the granite counter and stone tile aren't too heavy.
The stone tile is 5.65lbs/ft2.  I'm estimating the hariboard at 1lb/ft2 and cement grout at 1lb/ft2. So the dead weight in the middle seems safe enough. The vanity (32 lb/ft2) plus floor will be about 40lb/ft2. The wall the vanity is on is parallel to the floor joists. The shower/tub area will have a 1/2 wall with tiles and side of the tub tiled about 14" apart. These will weigh 325lbs.  The tub is acrylic and spec says 31 lb/ft2.  The tub I removed was about 300lbs so this area should be lighter on materials (water is about the same).  Can you tell me if these 14" trusses out of 2x4's can take >>40lbs dead + live weight.

Answer
Glen, I cannot.  Normal code design load would have been either 30 or 40 pounds depending on which code your city was using at the time.  The 30 would only apply to sleeping rooms.  I strongly think your trusses were designed for 40.  The very best answer would be to contact a local truss manufacuter.  We only have two here, so it is a simple pair of calls.  Most engineers would defer to the truss house as they use design software that spits this stuff out easily.

I am sorry I could not answer your question any better.