Understanding Pressure-Treated Lumber Load Value per Square Foot (LVL) Span Chart
When it comes to construction, understanding the load-bearing capacity of your materials is paramount. This is especially true when working with pressure-treated lumber, where the treatment process can slightly alter its structural properties. This article delves into the intricacies of pressure-treated lumber's load value per square foot (LVL) span chart, ensuring you make informed decisions for your projects.
What is LVL and Why is it Important?
LVL, or Load Value per Square Foot, is a crucial factor in determining the span of a beam or joist without additional support. It's calculated by dividing the total load (dead and live loads) by the span of the beam. Understanding the LVL of pressure-treated lumber is vital for designing safe and durable structures, as it helps prevent overloading and subsequent failures.
How Pressure Treatment Affects LVL
Pressure-treated lumber undergoes a process that involves forcing preservatives into the wood to protect it from rot, decay, and insect damage. While this treatment enhances the wood's longevity, it can slightly reduce its bending strength and stiffness. Therefore, it's essential to use the LVL span chart specifically designed for pressure-treated lumber when planning your projects.
Dead and Live Loads: What You Need to Know
Before diving into the LVL span chart, it's crucial to understand the types of loads your structure will bear. Dead loads refer to the weight of the structure itself, including the roof, walls, and floors. Live loads, on the other hand, are temporary loads applied to the structure, such as people, furniture, or snow. Both factors must be considered when determining the appropriate LVL for your pressure-treated lumber.
Pressure-Treated Lumber LVL Span Chart
| Size (Nominal) | Depth (Actual) | LVL (10 psf) | LVL (20 psf) | LVL (30 psf) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2x4 | 3.5 | 18 | 9 | 6 |
| 2x6 | 5.5 | 30 | 15 | 10 |
| 2x8 | 7.25 | 42 | 21 | 14 |
| 2x10 | 9.25 | 56 | 28 | 19 |
| 2x12 | 11.25 | 72 | 36 | 24 |
This chart provides a general guideline for calculating the maximum span of pressure-treated lumber based on its nominal size and the anticipated load per square foot. Always round down to the nearest whole number when determining the span, and consult local building codes for specific requirements.
Factors Affecting LVL Span
- Spacing: The distance between supports can significantly impact the LVL. Generally, the wider the spacing, the lower the LVL.
- Slope: The slope of the beam or joist can also affect its load-bearing capacity. Beams with a steeper slope can support more weight than those with a flatter slope.
- End Conditions: The support conditions at the ends of the beam or joist can influence its LVL. For example, a beam with both ends supported (simple support) has a lower LVL than one with one end fixed (cantilever support).
Conclusion and Best Practices
Understanding the LVL span chart for pressure-treated lumber is essential for designing safe and durable structures. Always consult the appropriate chart for your specific lumber type, consider all relevant loads and factors, and adhere to local building codes. By following these best practices, you can ensure your projects are structurally sound and long-lasting.
More Details
5. Joist tables are based upon 100% duration of load. 6. Spans based on hanger on ledger side and 3" bearing on LVL beam.
The spans for Pressure Treated Dimension Lumber are provided as a reference only. ... These spans are from the PWT Treated LVL Tech Guide. All procedures and ...
3 Bearing length must be at least 1.75". 4 Beams require support across their full width. 5 Conditions outside the scope of this guide may be designed using CSD ...
2.0E PWT Treated LVL vs Pressure Treated Dimension Lumber. Beam Span Table. DRY USE — MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DECK BEAM SPANS SUPPORTING SINGLE SPAN JOISTS WITHOUT ...
SPAN AND SIZE CHARTS FOR LVL & ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS ; US East. EASTERN BCI® AND VERSA-LAM® SPECIFIER GUIDE · EASTERN BCI® AND VERSA-LAM® INSTALL GUIDE (LTR ...
PWT Treated LVL ledger or beams per local code requirements, with proper deck anchors/ties, connectors, and fasteners. Deck joist span (varies). Beam spans ...
It can be post- production pressure treated to. H2 or H3 to AS/NZS 1604. (see ... recommended that H3 treated Smart LVL NOT be used where the surface is ...
Use these simple calculators to size Trus Joist TimberStrand LSL, Parallam PSL and Microllam LVL beams and headers and Treated Parallam Plus PSL deck beams and ...
It's important to know the timber stress grades and sizes that combine ... HYSPAN LVL Span Tables Engineered Wood - Available H2-s treated or H3 treated.
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 ...
hySPAN is not suitable for weather exposed applications unless suitably preservative treated. For guidance on treatment requirements please consult. Carter ...
Maximum deviations from nominal sizes and nominal angles for. LVL not treated by pressure treatment. ... Span table: LVL S – single span beam. Char ...
... LVL | PWT Treated LVL. Anthony® Beams & Columns | LAMCO® Engineered Framing Lumber | Simpson® Engineered Connectors. Technical Data Guide. ENGINEERED. WOOD ...
Lumber span tables are valuable guides which provide the maximum allowable spans for different types and sizes of Southern Pine and pressure-treated lumber.
Other manufacturers' LVL may have different properties and therefore cannot be designed using these span tables. ... It can be post- production pressure treated ...
Beam spans developed using apparent E. Product Identification. • Product has a muted olive tint • Stamp: “PWT TREATED” • Special PWT Treated LVL paper ...
Tabulated values are based on the allowable compression stress, perpendicular to grain, of the LVL. ... Solution: Using table below, 30'-0" span carried ...
Longer spans eliminate mid-span beams and columns. PWT Treated™ LVL is a dry treatment, not pressure treated. ... Everything PWT: Quick Guide. This is the ...
Beam supports both floor and roof, and spans 10#. When a beam carries floor and roof, use tables for floor loads; these tables are based on more stringent ...
Additionally, the timber is pressure treated to eliminate any knots, enabling you to use a variety of finishes to amplify or complement the natural color of the ...
