How far can pergola rafters span?

Although it depends on the species and grade of wood. As per thumb rule, for a pergola beam, 2″×12″ size timber you can span it upto 20 feet, 2×10 can span upto 16 feet, 2×8 can span upto 12 feet, 2×6 can span upto 10 feet and 2×4 can span upto 6 feet.

How far can 2×6 pergola rafters span?





A 2×6 spaced 16 inches apart can span a maximum distance of 13 feet 5 inches when used as a rafter, 10 feet 9 inches when used as a joist, and 6 feet 11 inches when used as a deck beam to support joists with a 6-foot span.

What size should pergola rafters be?

Pergola rafter size:- typically the rafters size used for pergola could be 2×6 (2 inches by 6 inches), 2×8 (2 inches by 8 inches), or 1.5×7.25 (1.5 inches by 7.25 inches). The length of the rafters be as long as you desire the pergola itself to be. The longer the rafters, the more you need.

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

A rule of thumb is 1.5 times a joist’s depth but in feet when spaced at 16” centers. In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet.

What is the max span for a 2×8 rafter?

Maximum allowable span for a 2×8 rafter:- the maximum allowable span for 2×8 rafter is 21 feet 7 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from centre, 19 feet 6 inches at 16″ OC & 18 feet 6 inches at 24″ OC with best quality No.

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





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 far can a 2×6 beam span without support?

A general rule of thumb for joist span is 1-1/2 times a board’s depth in feet, however, it’s not that simple. The distance a 2×6 can span is determined by the species, grade, location, use, load, and spacing. Based on building codes, a 2×6 can span anywhere from 2′-1” to 20′-8” depending on the affecting factors.

How many rafters do I need for a 16 foot span?

As per general rules and guideline, for 10 -12 foot span, generally you need 2″×6″ size of rafter, for 15 -16 foot span, you need 2″×8″ rafter, for 18 – 20 foot span, you need 2″×10″ rafter & for 24 foot span, you need 2″×6″ size of rafter placed at 16″ apart from centre.

Can 2×6 be used for rafters?

You can use either 2×6 or 2×4 rafters for roofs with a 3/12 pitch or greater, but it depends on the overall size of your shed. For roofs that won’t experience heavy snow loads, a gable roof can span up to 22′ with 2×4 rafters.

Should I use 2×8 or 2×10 for pergola?



Most builders use a minimum of 2×8 for the upper framing members, and that’s for a small pergola. On this pergola, the builder Ricky Chavez used 2×12 for the girders, 2×10 for the rafters, and 2×4 for a layer of decorative purlins fastened atop the rafters.

What size beam do I need to span 15 feet?

Thus, for a 15 foot span, you will need atleast 3-2×12 or 6×12 size of wood beam. For a 15-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 far can a 2×12 span for a pergola?

There’s not quite enough information here to give a definitive answer, but for decks, a rule of thumb is when supporting joists that span 12 feet, a double ply beam can span in feet a value equal to its depth in inches. Thus, a double 2×12 beam could span 12 feet – with 20′ beams, posts at 10′ might look the best.

How far can a triple 2×8 beam span without support?



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 far apart should rafters be?

The industry standard for roof joist or rafter spacing is 12”, 16”, 19.2”, and 24” on-center, typically though, rafters are spaced 16” or 24” on-center. The gap between members can be different provided it meets code requirements.

How far can a 4×8 rafter span?

lists 14’6″ as the max allowable span for 4×8 rafter.

How far can a 4X8 beam span without support?

Dimensional Lumber Deck Beam Span Chart

Joist Spans
Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir, Redwood, Cedars, Ponderosa Pine, Red Pine 4X6 6′-2″
4X8 8′-2″
4X10 9′-8″
4X12 11′-2″

How far can a 2×4 rafter span without support?



While it can vary greatly from one piece of lumber to the next, generally, how far can a 2×4 span without support? Depending on various factors, a 2×4 floor or deck joist can span a maximum of 6′ 7” at 16” spacing or 7’11” at 12” spacing.

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 to span 16 feet?

For a 16 foot span, you will need atleast 3-2×14 or 6×14 size of wood beam. Thus, a 3 nailed 2×14 or 3-2×14 or 6×14 wood beam can allow to span 16 feet. For a 16-foot spans, the wood beam has to be at least 14 inches in depth and 6″ in width (3-2×14) used for residential building, wood frame structure or projects.

Can a 2×12 span 16 feet?

A 2×12 (2-by-12) floor joists can span up to 23 feet 3 inches, 2×10 (2-by-10) up to 19 feet 1 inches, 2×8 (2-by-8) up to 15 feet & 2×6 (2-by-6) up to 11 feet 4 inches at 16″ spaced by using southern yellow pine graded as #1 when live load of 30 lbs/ft^2 & dead load of 10 lbs/ ft^2.