LVL Deck Beam Span Tables: A Comprehensive Guide
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) deck beams are a popular choice for outdoor structures due to their strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. When designing a deck, it's crucial to understand the span capabilities of LVL beams to ensure safety and longevity. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of LVL deck beam span tables, helping you make informed decisions during your deck construction project.
Understanding LVL Beams
LVL beams are engineered wood products made by gluing together thin layers of veneer in a cross-laminated pattern. This manufacturing process results in a strong, stable, and dimensionally accurate beam. LVL beams are available in various sizes, with depths typically ranging from 1.5" to 3.5" and widths from 3" to 12".
LVL Beam Grades
LVL beams are graded based on their strength and stiffness. The most common grades for deck construction are #2 and #3. #2 grade LVL beams have a higher strength and are typically used for longer spans, while #3 grade beams are suitable for shorter spans and are more economical.

LVL Deck Beam Span Tables
LVL deck beam span tables provide essential information about the maximum span lengths for different beam sizes and grades. These tables are based on building codes and engineering principles, ensuring that the beams can safely support the intended loads. Always consult the manufacturer's span tables for the specific LVL beams you plan to use.
Factors Affecting Beam Span
Several factors influence the maximum span of an LVL deck beam, including:
- Beam size (depth and width)
- Beam grade (#2 or #3)
- Live load (the weight the beam will support, typically 40 lbs/ft² for decks)
- Dead load (the weight of the beam itself and any permanent fixtures)
- Spacing of joists or other supporting members
Example LVL Deck Beam Span Table
Here's an example of an LVL deck beam span table for #2 grade beams, with a live load of 40 lbs/ft² and 16" on-center joist spacing:

| Beam Depth (in) | Beam Width (in) | Maximum Span (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 2 | 4 | 10 |
| 2.5 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 | 5 | 14 |
| 3.5 | 6 | 16 |
Designing for Longer Spans
If your deck design requires longer spans than those listed in the LVL beam span tables, you may need to use larger beams, increase the beam grade, or use engineered wood products specifically designed for long spans, such as I-joists or parallel chord trusses.
Safety and Code Compliance
Always consult local building codes and obtain any necessary permits before beginning your deck construction project. It's also essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for handling, installation, and loading of LVL beams. By doing so, you'll ensure a safe, durable, and code-compliant deck structure.
More Details
Beam Span Table. DRY USE — MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DECK BEAM SPANS SUPPORTING SINGLE SPAN JOISTS WITHOUT OVERHANGS — 100% LOAD DURATION. Species. Nominal Size. [in].

Spans based on hanger on ledger side and 3" bearing on LVL beam. ... Deck Joist Span with 2' Cantilever [ft]. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18. Deck Joist Simple ...

Joist tables are based upon 100% duration of load. ... Provide support to prevent lateral movement and rotation at the bearings. Beam span. Deck joist span – ...

... LVL beams and headers and Treated Parallam Plus PSL deck beams and columns. ... Header Beam Continuous Span Floor Framing Rendering · Header Supporting Floor ...

Information about Treated LVL Framing Lumber is from Pacific Wood Tech and for beam spans for double-1.5″ material references this spans chart. Treated LVL ...
LVL span tables are technical charts that specify the maximum distance (span) a Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beam can safely cover between supports, ...

6 Shaded cells controlled by bearing of 1.5" wide joist on 1.5" beam. Size. [in]. Deck Joist Span with 2' Cantilever [ft]. Deck Joist Simple Span [ft].

Span. For the purpose of using these tables, span may be interpreted as the clear distance between supports measured along the beam. Single Span Beams are beams ...

Locate a span that meets or exceeds the required beam span, centre-to-centre ... Tables will accommodate beam slopes to a maximum of 2:12. • Bearing ...

• Table values represent the most restrictive of simple or continuous span beam applications. ... over the VERSA-LAM® LVL beam, multiply the tributary ...

30.05.2024 ... ... LVL beam can span approximately: 30 feet when supporting a typical floor load. Span tables take into account the specific properties of the LVL ...

21.03.2021 ... Looking at the published beam span tables, it seems like a 2-2×10 ... Yea, I figured that using lvl for beam material is an independent factor ...

... span tables includes deck joists, floor bearers, upper lintels and more. Spans in construction refer to how long a structural element, like a beam or a joist ...

mm wide LVL beam would reduce the beam capacity at that sec- tion by ... Enter single span table at 450 mm in joist spacing column, read down to a ...

Span charts for deck joists and beams in a variety of framing materials, including wood and steel.

15.12.2023 ... LVL beam span recommendations. LVL span table for weight capacities. How many LVL beams needed for construction. LVL sizes and specifications.

19.03.2024 ... What are the experiences with using pressure-treated LVL beams for large span deck construction? Tony Dudek ▻ Deck Construction Tips and Tricks.

Results: · 2024 CCWD · 2005 Design Values for Joists and Rafters · 2005 Span Tables for Joists and Rafters · 2024 Span Tables · 2021 CCWD.

02.05.2019 ... Versa-Lam® laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams and headers eliminate twisting, shrinking and splitting, and deliver flatter, quieter floors ...

For beam depths (d) of 4-3/8, 5-1/2, and 7-1/4 inches, the maximum hole diameter is 1, 1-1/8, and 1-1/2 inches, respectively.
