What Size LVL Beam??

Looking to put a mezzanine in the big garage, the face will span 24′. The other three sides will attach to the existing 2×6 walls. The depth will be 14′ or so. 336sq’ +/-

I’ve looked at a couple calculators, but figured one of you guys could suggest what size to go with. Not storing anything extremely heavy or ever plan to, but will build it as beefy as recommended. (What psf?)

I’d rather go with a pair (or even trio) of shorter beams than one really tall one, that’s where I’m having trouble with the calculators. An 18-24+” LVL will eat up too much space (every inch lowers the relative ceiling height above)

I’d really like to be able to make the span without a center post…..

But with the price of lumber maybe a steel I-beam will be cheaper lol

Would TJI beam work for ya?

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Just remember that the next owner might have a different mind set on what he will use it for. Go bigger ! Talk to your local lumberyard they will know

Yeah, if you want clear span consider 24′ joice instead of one big beam.

Bman I’ll be seeing my engineer later today, so I’ll have him verify what I’m coming up with.

I know your concerned about headroom on the loft. Do you have the space to lower the header like in the pic?

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Randy Wieland wrote:

Bman I’ll be seeing my engineer later today, so I’ll have him verify what I’m coming up with.

I know your concerned about headroom on the loft. Do you have the space to lower the header like in the pic?

Randy, what do you think about mounting the 14′ joists further down on the header, creating more headroom, and leaving an intentional “lip” to keep stuff from falling off, if the intended use is just storage?

HRG

I’d probably go with full length joists as well.

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Hot Runr Guy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Randy Wieland wrote:</div>
Bman I’ll be seeing my engineer later today, so I’ll have him verify what I’m coming up with.

I know your concerned about headroom on the loft. Do you have the space to lower the header like in the pic?

Randy, what do you think about mounting the 14′ joists further down on the header, creating more headroom, and leaving an intentional “lip” to keep stuff from falling off, if the intended use is just storage?

HRG

That can work, just need to verify the engineering on your hangers and the beam. Pending where the load hangs, it might change some specs

B-man
Triple 16” lvl 24’ out to out, nailed 12” oc/4 per row, point loaded on 5-1/2” posts each end , 50# psf will have 5/8” deflection. Going to 18” lvl only reduces the deflection to 1/2”. Give me a call with any questions.

Not all manufacturers of lvl calculate the same