No, you cannot span 23 feet with conventional lumber, even doubled. It’ll be as bouncy as a trampoline and won’t meet code, and that’s if you can find such lengths. You’ll need at least a 12″ (nominal) I-joist or an engineered floor truss to span that far, or you’ll need an LVL or steel beam midway.

How far can a double 2×8 span without support?

In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet. Based on all factors though, a 2×8 joist span is 7′-1” to 16′-6”, and a rafter 6′-7” and 23′-9”. In this guide, we’ll explain what span means in terms of construction, factors that impact the span, and how much weight a 2×8 can support.

How far can you span a 2×8 floor joist?





Depending on various factors, the maximum span for a 2×8 floor joist is 16′ 6”. The maximum span for roof rafters is 23′ 9”. For headers, the maximum span is 11′ 2”. Finally, a single deck beam has a maximum span of 5′ 11” and double maxes out at 8′ 9”.

Does double joists increase span?

For example, if you double the thickness or number of joists in a floor, the distance the boards can span will increase by approximately 25%. But if you double the width of the boards, the distance the joists can span increases between 80% to 100%, even though you’re using the same board feet of lumber.

How far can you span a double 2×8 beam for a deck?

Although the practice is common, there’s no allowance for interpolating beam spans when the joist length you’re dealing with isn’t listed in the table. For example, a double 2×8 beam can span 8-ft. -0 in. when the deck joists are 6 ft.

What is the maximum span for a 2×8?

Max. Live Load 60 lbs/ft2 (2873 N/m2)

Maximum Span (ft – in)
Nominal Size (inches) Joist Spacing Center to Center (inches) Lumber Grade
2 x 8 12 12′ – 4″
16 10′ – 8″
24 8′ – 8″

What size lumber can span 20 feet?





For a 20 foot span, you will need atleast 2×12 size of lumber/ floor joist when spaced at 16″ apart. Thus, a 2×12 size of lumber can allow to span 20 feet. For a 20-foot spans, the lumber has to be at least 12 inches in depth used as floor joist.

Can floor joists span 24 feet?

Floor joist span is the length of an individual joist, from the foundation walls to an interior beam. The spacing between joists is typically 16”, but can also be 12”, 20”, and 24”. The spacing and ability to span a greater – or smaller – distance is dependent on the size of lumber used for the joists.

How far can a triple 2×8 beam span?

How far can a triple 2×8 beam span:- as per general rules and guidelines, #2 grade southern pine of a triple 2×8 deck beam can span upto 10 to 11 feet when total load of 50 psf (40 psf live load + 10 psf dead load) with deflection limit L/360.

How many joists do I need for a 20 foot deck?

A 20-foot wide deck, for example, would require two beams: one at 10 feet and one and 20 feet in order to support a deck with 2×8 joists spaced 16 inches apart.

What size beam do I need to span 24 feet?



For 24 foot span, size of simply supported beam for 2-3 storey residential building, using thumb rule, is about 15″×18″ in which beam width is 12″ and beam depth is 15″, if width will be kept 12″, depth should increased, then beam size 12″×24″ can be used, providing with 4nos of 16mm bar at top, 4nos of 20mm bar at …

How big of a beam do I need to span 20 feet?

For a 20-foot spans, the wood beam has to be at least 16 inches in depth and 8″ in width (4-2×16) used for residential building or projects.

How far can a double 2×10 span without support?

How Far Can a 2×10 Beam or Header Span? A 2×10 beam – made up of two 2x10s nailed together – can span up to 11′ without support beneath a deck that is 4′ wide. For a more normal-sized deck, the same beam can span 8′, supporting a deck that is 8′ wide. You can also triple a 2×10 beam.

How much weight can a 2×8 beam hold?



Weight supported by a double or triple wood headers.

Span (feet) Weight Supported (lb)
2 x 2″ x 6″ 3 x 2″ x 8″
4 2250 5850
6 1680 4690
8 3990

How far can you cantilever a 2×8 deck joist?

Deck Joist Cantilever Rules and Limits

Joist Spacing (o.c.) 12″
Southern Pine 2×12 4′-6″
Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×6 11″
2×8 1′-8″
2×10 2′-10″