Garage Ceiling Spans

JimmyZimmier

Would you believe that I am a fully licensed general contractor, having built 5 houses lifetime and growing up in this business and I don't know the simplest way to do this?

I am framing a new SFR that has an attached garage, uninhabitted attic space with limited storage, with a span dimension of 20'8" x 22'. There are limited joist specs in the plan and of course this has not been covered. I am looking for the most cost effective method in which to joist the ceiling of this garage. The balance of the house will be 2x6 and 2x8 joists. I have considered using OSB type I beams, but feel that this may be overkill. Can I run a girder accross this center of this 22' span (cutting the joist span in half) and hang joists from it using Simpson ties, creating a clear and flush ceiling surface? If so what type of beam could be specified? Again, cost effective is also a consideration.

Thank you for the help.

K2

Have you considered trusses. They can be designed with some storage space and come complete with an engineers stamp to eliminate guesswork.

JimmyZimmier

Of course. The plans are completed and permitted. I do not wish to make any waves within this building dept by varying from the plans as not indicating truss or engineer approval, etc. People around here are a little resistant to the unknown plus the balance of the house has a fairly complicated roof design and I personally am more comfortable with maintaining complete control of the stick framing.

Thanks

jmic

Jim,
Is your objective to eliminate any columns supporting the carring beam?
Joe

JimmyZimmier

Absolutely, Also I desire a complete flush and clear ceiling at 8'.

JimmyZimmier

Mr. Moderator,
sorry for the double post, just realized this AM that there was a specific framing section and felt the other forum was correct.

Cole

lol, no problem.

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jmic

Jim,
I would say a triple 1 7/8" LVL of some width ( check with your lumber supplier for the correct span chart) I'm guessing maybe 14-16". It's been a few years since I stopped framing on a reg. basis. Good Luck!
Joe

skylands

This must be the thread to reply to since the other one is closed.

I understand exactly what you are trying to do. I also don't like columns in garages.

Generally I do trusses since my standard garage package is 24 x 24. However, I do occasionally get an architect or homeowner who is simply not responsive to trusses. Sometimes I will span the full 24 feet with 2x10's for joists with struts at the one third mark. This (like trusses) will give you the cleanest sheet rock install. Or sometimes it will be designed using engineered lumber such as 3 or 4 LVL's of 16" or 20" size. The idea of making it a flush girder is nice except that in a year or so you will have cracking show up in the ceiling in the center area. The LVL's are sent with little or no moisture. The ceiling joists are loaded with water from laying around the lumber yard. So when they start to shrink, hence the cracking. I generally talk to the homeowner about making it a dropped girder to give the job a cleaner look.
Recently I saw a design showing the flush girder, 2x8 joists, and one stupid column smack dab in the middle of the garage. It was changed to trusses rather quickly.

In terms of the building dept., I have never had any flack from any building inspector when the roofs were changed to trusses since a full engineering design is supplied which takes the responsibility away from the inspectors.

Good luck

JimmyZimmier

Thanks for the replies, I have decided to concede the issue of a flush ceiling and just hang the joists from a LVL assembly, but am now not convinced of the sizing that I am being provided from my supplier. He has specified a tripple 16" GP Lam as per their charts. I also have confirmed that this would be correct as a "floor" beam, however in this application the beam is only supporting the ceiling. There is an attic space designated as minimal storage above this garage and it appears as though the roof structure will not even require any bracing that would bear on this beam. It is not in my nature to build at the bare minimum as a general rule, but these houses simply do not have much room in them and I am trying to pick up the slack anywhere I can.