The mudsill is the bridge between your home’s concrete foundation and its entire wooden frame. These crucial, pressure-treated boards are the very first pieces of the structure to be installed, bolted directly to the foundation. They have to be right, because everything else builds on top of them. The first step is always to double … Read more
Design concrete footings for residential houses according to the 2018 IRC even if its on solid rock. Footing Basics The footing transmits the loads from above to the soil. So when an aggregate such as gravel , and the soil beneath it is compromised, then it will fail. This is why the many concrete design … Read more
These rafter span tables provide the best reference to quickly and easily determine the maximum span for all grades of southern pine according to the 2018 International Residential Code. These eight tables are based on 16″ o.c. applications according to the 2018 International Residential Code. The focus is 20 PSF live load. For all other … Read more
Find the maximum spans for ceiling joists according to the 2018 International Residential Code using the most common types of lumber with these simplified span tables. These span tables are for 16″ o.c. applications using southern pine. Plain ceilings are sized at 10 lb loads, while the ceilings with storage are sized for 20 lb … Read more
Find out how far a 2 x 10 made from No. 2 pine or other material can span as a floor joist according to 2018 International Residential Code for living, bedroom, and storage areas. These six tables cover the most common situations for 16″ o.c. applications. Bedroom areas are sized for 30 lb live load … Read more
Insulated Ceilings Insulated ceilings within the thermal envelope of a building and located in an area governed by the 2018 International Residential Code must satisfy certain requirements. For complete details, which may vary from location to location, click here for the reference in the code book. Ceilings without Attics There is no attic for a … Read more
This ceiling joist span table is based on the 2012 IRC for uninhabitable attics with limited storage. It covers #2 common lumber species and sizes at 20 pounds per square foot load. Although 2 x 4’s are included in the official table, they are not listed because it is never advised to use them. 2 … Read more
Stair Railing Height The required railing height on stairs for decks, ramps, and interiors are the same. It depends on whether its handrails or guardrails that is in question concerning how tall they must be. Both are measured vertically from the end of the tread on the steps according to the 2012 International Residential Code … Read more
Shear Bracing a Wall Wooden stud walls have to be properly shear braced with structural construction panels in accordance with the local code such as the International Residential Code. The basic rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 4′ of 7/16″ OSB on each corner and no less than 25′ apart. The panels … Read more
Span charts and 2012 IRC building codes for girders and headers. Includes span tables for all load bearing locations and the number of jack studs. These charts are for 30 pound per square foot snow load on the roof. All other data is available on page 121 of the 2012 International Residential Code. Girders are … Read more