Wood Beam Load Tables

View allowable load tables.

Wood beam load tables.

Tables providing size selections for various beam spans and loading combinations for southern pine dimension lumber and southern pine glued laminated timber are available for the following applications. Table specifications are provided with each table indicating conditions and assumptions used to calculate the loads. On longer spans the beam may require much more bearing space as indicated by this table. You can also use the wood beam calculator from the american wood council website to determine maximum rafter and joist lengths.

Fewer posts on upper level decks are typically more desirable to the occupants and this drives the use of larger framing materials for longer spans. These easy to use tables were compiled by the southern forest products association sfpa as a service to design build professionals and other. The span of a beam is dependent on a few variables. The species of lumber size of lumber and the load it carries.

Beam span maximums are based on a maximum anticipated live load. Anything 5 and above we always at least double cripple. Beams of more than one ply must be fastened together with either nails or bolts. According to the 2012 irc codes any beam joist or header shall never have a bearing of less than 1 1 2.

View size selection tables. Aitc beam capacity tables aitc capacity tables provide the uniformly distributed load that a glued laminated timber beam can support based on beam size span and material properties. These tables are provided as a guideline. Window door garage door headers supporting roof loads only window door garage door headers supporting roof wall floor loads.