Floor joists are the boards that run perpendicular to the floor and support the flooring. In a home, the floor joists are typically made of 2×6 lumber. This means that the joist is 2 inches wide and 6 inches deep. The span of a floor joist is the distance between the two points where it is supported. In a home, the floor joists are typically supported by the wall studs. The span of a 2×6 floor joist is typically 12 feet.
Minimum Span Requirements for Floor Joists:
Floor joists must meet minimum span requirements in order to be safely installed. The minimum span for a 2×6 floor joist is 10 feet.
The Spans of Floor Joists:
Floor joists are typically installed 16 inches on center. This means that the center of one joist is 16 inches from the center of the next. The spans of floor joists can vary depending on the type of lumber used and the weight of the load being supported.
Floor Joist Spans According to Load:
The National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) provides tables that list the recommended spans for floor joists according to the load they are carrying. The spans are based on the use of standard lumber grades and dimensions.
Floor Joist Spans for Common Lumber Species:
The NDS also provides tables that list the recommended spans for floor joists based on the common lumber species used in home construction. The spans are based on the use of standard lumber grades and dimensions.
Floor Joist Spans for Home Construction:
The NDS recommends that floor joists in a home be designed for a live load of 40 pounds per square foot and a dead load of 10 pounds per square foot. This results in a total load of 50 pounds per square foot. The table below lists the maximum spans for a 2×6 floor joist that is designed for a live load of 50 pounds per square foot.
Floor Joist Spans for Heavy Duty Construction:
In some cases, it may be necessary to design floor joists for a live load that is greater than 50 pounds per square foot. The table below lists the maximum spans for a 2×6 floor joist that is designed for a live load of 80 pounds per square foot.
How wide can a 2×6 be?
A 2×6 can be up to 12 inches wide.
How long can a 2×6 be?
A 2×6 can be up to 12 feet long.
What is the maximum span for a 2×6 floor joist?
The maximum span for a 2×6 floor joist is 16 feet.
What is the minimum span for a 2×6 floor joist?
The minimum span for a 2×6 floor joist is 8 feet.
How do you calculate the maximum span for a 2×6 floor joist?
To calculate the maximum span for a 2×6 floor joist, divide the span by the lumber size. For a 2×6, the maximum span is 16 feet, so the calculation would be 16/2=8.
