loft sizing

   / loft sizing #1  

gws

Platinum Member
Joined
May 31, 2001
Messages
903
Tractor
yanmar ym1810
I want to add a small hay loft over a tack area in my stables.
Entire tack area is 12 x 8, but usable loft area due to slope of roof is about 8x8ft.

What size lumber for the joist do I need to span 8ft? Will 2x6 joist be enough? How about 2x8. Keep in mind I am looking at maybe 20 bales of hay max. Also what spacing with 24" oc work or will I need to go to 16" oc.
 
   / loft sizing #2  
The barn on my girl friends place only had 2x6 spanding 14 ft on 4 foot centers. The floor is made of 2x6s with about 1 to 2 inch gaps. The headroom is about 5 ft. We have put hay about 5 bales tall in here, but we worry about. I certainly don't recommend going this light, I didn't build the barn, she bought it before we started going together. I plan on reinforce it by at least doubling the number of floor joices.

Larry
 
   / loft sizing #3  
2X6 on 24" centers will work, but given the small area, I'd do it on 16" centers as the additional cost is negligible and the floor will be a lot stiffer. Deck it w/3/4" underlayment and you'll have a nice surface to store your bales on.
 
   / loft sizing #4  
I'd use 2x8's or 2x10's and go 16" on centers. All of ours that we build are 2x12's with 16" on center.
 
   / loft sizing #5  
An old carpenters rule of thumb is 6 ft. span 2x6, 8 ft. span 2x8, 10 ft. span 2x10 etc.

I would think 2x8 would be plenty and if you just added some 2x6's, since it is just hay I think you would be fine.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2009 Ford F-250 Pickup Truck, VIN # 1FTSX21Y49EA41686 (A48836)
2009 Ford F-250...
2018 VOLVO VNL TANDEM AXLE SLEEPER (A51222)
2018 VOLVO VNL...
LOT LOCATIONS (A51222)
LOT LOCATIONS (A51222)
2016 Kia Optima Sedan (A48082)
2016 Kia Optima...
3000 Gallon Black Poly Water Tank (A49461)
3000 Gallon Black...
2020 CATERPILLAR 938M WHEEL LOADER (A51242)
2020 CATERPILLAR...
 
Top