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Table R502.3 – Floor Joist Maximum Span Lengths by Size and Locationįor joists located in the center of a span, spans can be up to twice as long. Table R502.11 gives maximum span lengths for different-sized wood joists based on their location relative to supporting walls or beams. This section covers conventional lumber sizing, spacing, and spans. One of the most critical sections of the IRC when it comes to floor joists is Table R502.3. The IRC covers everything from minimum floor joist sizes and spacings to allowable roof loads. It’s updated every three years, and the 2018 edition was released in November of 2017. The IRC is the governing document for all residential construction in the United States. 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)Lumber Size As we’ll discuss later, there are ways to measure the size of your floor joists and ensure they’re up to code. However, if you’re remodeling an existing home or building a small structure (like a shed), then using dimensional lumber is likely the best way. Engineered structure floor products have specific load ratings that avoid oversizing your floor joists and reduce material waste. In some cases, it may make more sense from an engineering perspective (and cost standpoint) if you choose engineered wood beams or I-joists instead of dimensional lumber. Depending on how much weight they will carry, they need to be sized accordingly. Floor joists come in dimensional lumber lengths from 8 to 16 feet or more.įloor joists support most of your home’s weight and play a crucial role in structural integrity. If you’re unsure what size floor joists to use, don’t worry - we’ll discuss this in the next section.įloor joists are generally 6, 8, 10, or 12 inches in width, with 8 or 10 inches as the most common sizes. Floor joists are measured in inches by their thickness (e.g., “a floor joist is a 10″ floor joist”). In most cases, your joists will need to be at least a certain size to support the weight of your home. The IRC also has regulations for minimum joist sizes. The floor joist spacing you choose will depend on several factors, including the size of your home frame, load-bearing walls or beams, the foundation, and the type of flooring you plan to install. Floor joist spacing usually is 16″ apart but can vary between 12″ and 24″. The floor joist span is the distance between two load-bearing walls or beams. When weight is applied to the floor structure, the floor joist absorbs and transfers it to the foundation.
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However, this can vary depending on building regulations and the blueprint’s specifications.Ī floor joist is a structural member that distributes the weight of a building to the foundation. The most common floor joist spacing is 16 inches on center. The floor joists are the horizontal structural components that span an open space, usually between beams, and then transfer the weight to vertical structural members.įloor joists support the weight of the walls and everything in a room. Floor joists are an essential part of any building, and they play a key role in the overall strength and stability of the structure.