It is important to know what actually a beam is before dealing with the question. what size of wood beam required for 10′, 12′, 16′, 18′, 20′, 22′, 24′, 26′, 28′, and 30′ span.
BEAM- Beams are generally made of wood or timber, steel, and RCC concrete providing with reinforcement steel. The main function of beams is to provide structural support during and after construction. It is a load-bearing structure.
Through this article, we will learn about the size of wood beams required for 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and, 30 feet span. We will also know about the wood beam spam rule of thumb that helps in deciding and sizing of wood beam in a better way.
Wood beam
These are structural supports made from different species and grades of wood. Basically, these are included in structural elements like roofs to distribute the overall weight of the structure and provide support. These are most commonly used in houses made in foreign countries such as U.S., UK, and Canada for structural support. Basically, the size of the wood beam depends on several factors. Such as load, wood species, beam type building codes, and defection limit.
What size of wood beam needed for 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 30 feet span
The thumb rule of wood beam span
A wooden beam is usually a whole piece of cut wood. We can find out the depth of wood according to this rule, the width of the beam should generally be 1/3 to ½ the depth. It observed the deflection should never exceed 1/360 of the span of the aggregate corresponding to full load.
Now let’s calculate wood beam size for 10’, 12’, 15’, 16’, 18’, 20’, 22′, 24’, 25’, 26’, 28’, & 30′ span.
Wood beam size for 10 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 3-2×8 or 6×8 (3-nail 2×8) is used in residential buildings. These beams can span up to 10 feet.
So, if the span of the beam is 10 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 8 inches and its width should be 6 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 10-foot span, we will need at least a 3-2×8 or 6×8 size wood beam.
Hence a 3 nail 2×8 or 3-2×8 or 6×8 wooden beams can allow to span 10 feet distance.
So, for a 10 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 8 inches in depth and 6 inches in width (3-2×8) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size required for 12 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 3-2×10 or 6×10 (3-nail 2×10) is used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for 12 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 12 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 10 inches and its width should be 6 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 12-foot span, we will need at least 3-2×10 or 6×10 size wood beam.
Hence a 3 nail 2×10 or 3-2×10 or 6×10 wooden beams can allow to span 12 feet distance.
So, for 12 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 10 inches in depth and 69 inches in width (3-2×10) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size required for 16 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 3-2×14 or 6×14 (3-nail 2×14) is used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for 16 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 16 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 14 inches and its width should be 6 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 16-foot span, we will need at least 3-2×1 or 6×14 size wood beam.
Hence a 3 nail 2×14 or 3-2×14 or 6×14 wooden beams can allow to span 16 feet distance.
So, for 16 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 14 inches in depth and 6 inches in width (3-2×14) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size required for 18 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 3-2×16 or 6×16 (3-nail 2×16) used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for an 18-foot span.
So, if the span of the beam is 18 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 16 inches and its width should be 6 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for an 18-foot span, we will need at least 3-2×16 or 6×16 size wood beam.
Hence a 3 nail 2×16 or 3-2×16 or 6×16 wooden beams can allow to span 18 feet distance.
So, for 18 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 16 inches in depth and 6 inches in width (3-2×16) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size required for 20 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 4-2×16 or 8×16(4-nail 2×16) used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for 20 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 20 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 16 and its width should be 8 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 20-foot span, we will need at least 4-2×16 or 8×16 size lumber beam.
Hence a 4-nail 2×16 or 4-2×16 or 8×16 wooden beam can allow it to span 20 feet distance.
So, for a 20 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 16 inches in depth and 8 inches in width (4-2×16) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size for 22 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 3-2×18 or 6×18 (3-nail 2×18) used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for 22 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 22 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 18 inches and its width should be 6 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 22-foot span, we will need at least 3-2×18 or 6×18 size lumber beam.
Hence a 3 nail 2×18 or 3-2×18 or 6×18 wooden beams can allow to span 22 feet distance.
So, for a 22 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 18 inches in depth and 6 inches in width (3-2×18) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size for 24 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 4-2×18 or 8×18 (4-nail 2×18) used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are required for 24 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 24 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 18 inches in thickness and its width should be 8 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 24-foot span, we will need at least 4-2×18 or 8×18 size lumber beam.
Hence a 4 nail 2×18 or 4-2×18 or 8×18 wooden beams can allow to span 24 feet distance. So, for 24 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 18 inches in depth and 8 inches in width (4-2×18) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size for 26 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 4-2×18 or 8×18 (4-nail 2×18) used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for 26 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 26 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 18 inches and its width should be 8 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 26-foot span, we will need at least 4-2×18 or 8v18 size of lumber beam.
Hence a 4 nail 2×16 or 4-2×18 or 8×18 wooden beams can allow to span 26 feet distance.
So, for 26 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 18 inches in depth and 8 inches in width (4-2×18) used for residential buildings.
Wood beam size for 28 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 5-2×18 or 10×18 (5-nail 2×18) used in residential buildings. This beam size is suitable for 28 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 28 feet the depth of the wooden beam should be 18 inches and its width should be of 10 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines for a 28-foot span, we will need at least a 5-2×18 or 10×18 size lumber beam. Therefore a 5 nailed 2×18 or 5-2×18 or 10×18 wood beam can allow it to span 28 feet.
So, for a 28-foot span, the wood beam has to be at least 18 inches in depth and 10 inches in width (5-2×18) used for wood from structures, residential buildings, or any other related projects.
Wood beam size required for 30 feet span
Generally, a wood beam size of 5-2×18 or 10×18 (5-nail 2×18) is used in residential buildings. These beam sizes are suitable for 30 feet span.
So, if the span of the beam is 30 feet, the depth of the wooden beam should be 18 inches and its width should be 10 inches.
Now looking at the general thumb rule and its guidelines, for a 30-foot span, we will need at least 5-2×18 or 10×18 size lumber beam.
Hence a 5 nail 2×18 or 5-2×18 or 10×18 wooden beams can allow to span 30 feet distance.
So, for 30 feet, the wood beam has to the at least 18 inches in depth and 10 inches in width (5-2×18) used for residential buildings.
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Conclusion
Using the general thumb rule we can easily know the wood beam size for 10′ 12′ 16′ 18′ 20′ 22′ 24′ 26′ 28′ and 30′ spans very easily, without facing any problem.