To answer you question, no a 6X6 will not carry that span, even if you have only a roof to support. The strength is in the height of the beam, not so much for the width.

How far can a 6×6 wood beam span?

A 6×6 softwood beam may be able to span 20′ with limited loads. However, for structural building and compliance with Building Codes, the span ranges from 3′-5” to 8′-6” depending on a variety of factors.

What size beam do I need to span 10 feet?





Thus, for a 10 foot span, you will need atleast 3-2×8 or 6×8 size of wood beam. For a 10-foot spans, the wood beam has to be at least 8 inches in depth and 6″ in width (3-2×8) used for residential building or projects.

What size lumber can span 10 feet?

What size floor joist to span 10 feet:- as per general rules and guideline, a 2×6 (2-by-6) size of floor joists made of southern yellow pine, graded as #1 can allows joist spans up to 10 feet for a live load of 30 pounds per square foot and dead load of 10 pounds per square foot when spaced 16 inches apart.

How much load can a 6×6 hold?

The load capacity of a 3-foot #2 grade 4×4 is 17,426 pounds, and a similar 6×6 is 20,834 pounds or 16% better. However, an 8-foot 4×4 supports 6468-pounds and 2339-pounds at 14-feet, while a 6×6 is 18032 and 10550-pounds respectively – or 64% and 78% more load capacity.

What is the longest 6×6 you can buy?

Product Specifications

Size & Dimension 6-inch x 6-inch
Length 22-ft
Size & Dimension .15
Wood Treatment Treated
Wood Specie Yellow Pine

What size beam do I need for an 18 foot span?





Wood beam size for a 18 foot span:– as per general thumb rule, for a 18 foot span, size of wood beam or lumber joist should be 2×12 which placed at 16″ apart from centre used for residential building or projects or construction in which depth of section of beam is 300mm (12″) and width of beam is 50 mm or 2″.

How far can you span a 4X10 beam?

Dimensional Lumber Deck Beam Span Chart

Joist Spans
Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir, Redwood, Cedars, Ponderosa Pine, Red Pine 4X10 9′-8″
4X12 11′-2″
3-2X6 7′-1″
3-2X8

What size beam do I need for a 14 foot span?

Thus, for a 14 foot span, you will need atleast 3-2×12 or 6×12 size of wood beam. For a 14-foot spans, the wood beam has to be at least 12 inches in depth and 6″ in width (3-2×12) used for residential building, wood frame structure or projects.

How big of a beam do I need for a 12 foot span?

When supporting joists that span 12 feet with no overhang beyond the beam, a double ply beam can span in feet a value equal to its depth in inches. A double 2×12 beam can span 12 feet; a (2) 2×10 can span 10 feet and so on.

How much weight can a 6×6 beam hold?



A 6×6 with 12′ span can support 2000 lbs. if you assume a conservative 1400psi bending stress. If you do a good job bonding the two members together, your double 6×6 can support more than 4,000 lbs.

How strong is a 6×6?

If you assume a conservative 1400psi allowable bending stress, a single 6×6 with 12′ span can support about 2000 lbs. So your double 6×6 can support at least 4000 lbs (possibly more if you do a good job bonding the two members together so that there’s no slip between the faces).

How much stronger is a 6×6 than a 4×6?

As long as you are talking about comparing posts with the same species of wood, then no, a 4×6 post is not as strong as a 6×6 post. A 4×6 is just a 6×6 with a third of the material cut away.

Is 6×6 better than 4×4?



6×6 or 4×6 will also give you less traction in specific conditions, than a 4×4. In snow/ice and other low traction situations, you have way less traction. And the exact reason I run a SINGLE rear wheel (not dually) rear on my pickup. Winter traction is FAR better with all the weight on 4 wheels instead of 6.

Do I need 4×4 6×6?

4×4 post will be fine. I have built many decks for new homes with them. 6×6 is more sturdy of course and will not twist as easy, but for structure purposes, 4×4 will be fine. I would just not go more then 10′ apart with them.

How tall can a 6×6 post be?

The DCA6 recommends minimum 6×6 posts with a maximum 12-foot height.

How long will a treated 6×6 post last in the ground?

A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone. I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don’t let the PT post come in contact with the ground.

How big is a 6×6 post?



What are the dimensions of a standard 4×4 or 6×6 wood post? The lumber industry defines standard wood post sizes as 4×4 or 6×6. The outside dimensions of the standard 4×4 measure 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″, and the outside dimensions of the standard 6×6 measure 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″.

What accounts for 90% of all deck collapses?

About 90% of deck collapses occurred as a result of the separation of the house and the deck ledger board, allowing the deck to swing away from the house. It is very rare for deck floor joists to break mid-span.

Can balusters be used in place of posts?

T/F: Balusters can be used in place of posts if there is adequate infill between them. T/F: End-grains of vertical posts and balusters should be cut level. Deck planking segments should bear on a minimum of _____ joists. T/F: Deck planking should be laid together as tightly as possible.

How do Decks fail?

Pulling Away From the House



The most common mode of total deck collapse involves the deck “pulling away” from the house. This type of failure typically occurs because the ledger board was not properly attached to the house. There are many construction aspects that go into assuring the ledger board is properly attached.