holman_michael
10-07-2004, 08:58 PM
I am removing a section of flooring since it was overspanned and is sagging. The area is 10.5 by 26 feet. The current joists are 2x8 on 16" centers running the long way with a single supporting beam underneath only 7 feet from one end. Even that is sagging since it appears to have originally been two 2x8s with another added later. Even with the supporting beam the 2x8s are spanning nearly 20 feet. I had a builder in to look at it and he said I should run the joists the short way which of course makes sense.
The space under all of this is a basement area that I am renovating. The current ceiling height is about 6'10". In order to gain headroom I'd like to use 4" steel I beams instead of 2x8s for the joists. Has anyone used steel like this. I know that there are thin steel structural members for floor joists, but I want the shallower depth so I would use the beefy I-beams. However, I don't know how much of a load/span they can handle and on what centers. The other challenge is attaching plywood sheeting. Lots of drilling I suppose unless there is some system.
Michael
The space under all of this is a basement area that I am renovating. The current ceiling height is about 6'10". In order to gain headroom I'd like to use 4" steel I beams instead of 2x8s for the joists. Has anyone used steel like this. I know that there are thin steel structural members for floor joists, but I want the shallower depth so I would use the beefy I-beams. However, I don't know how much of a load/span they can handle and on what centers. The other challenge is attaching plywood sheeting. Lots of drilling I suppose unless there is some system.
Michael