How far can a 2″×6″, 2″×8″, 2″×10″, 2″×12″ & 2×14 rafter span ? The maximum span for rafters of different sizes depends on several factors, including the type of wood, the load they need to support, and local building codes.
Generally, here are some rough estimates for maximum spans for common rafter sizes (measured in inches):
In general, a 2×6 rafter can typically span from 9 to 14 feet, while a 2×8 rafter can typically span from 12 to 18 feet. Likewise, a 2×10 rafter can typically span from 14 to 23 feet, while a 2×12 rafter can typically from 17 to 28 feet. In addition, a 2×14″ rafter can typically span up to 23 feet.
A rafter is a structural component build of wood or steel that is used as part of a roof construction. Rafter runs from the ridge or hip of the roof to the wall plate of the external wall. Rafters are generally provide in series, side by side, providing a plateform to support roof decks and roof coverings.
In many countries such as in US, Canada United Kingdom roof rafter made of wood/ timber are much common to build a house. Many species of wood are used to provide timber which have much strength. Rafters are usually made of pine or cedar tree, for longer span rafters, building materials severals manufacturers have created Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) rafters that can be 2–5 times longer than typical wood rafter. In US, most wood rafters have maximum length of 20 feet.
Most common size of roof rafter is 2″×6″, 2″×8″, 2″×10″, 2″×12″ and 2″×14″ are used in roof framing. Thickness of rafter should be not less than 2 inches and their depth should be range from 4″ to 12″. Length of Rafter depending on climatic condition, style, slope and type of structure. It is used over brick external wall, wall plate, over two support and over top of beam.
A rafter is a structural component that is used as part of a roof construction. Typically, it runs from the ridge or hip of the roof. Design and construction of roof is depending on many factors but one of the most common important factor is climatic and weather condition of your surrounding areas, in your cities and countries. The area which has heavy rainfall and snowfall require good drainage for roof, roof drainage depending on slope of the roof provided, based on slope of roof it is categorised into two types flat roof and pitched roof or sloping roof.
The spacing of roof rafter is just one of the component used to determine the minimum size of roof rafter. There is no any standard rafter spacing measurements. But generally rafter spaced typically either 12, 16 or 24 inches apart in one of several industry -standard increments.
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Table of Contents
How far can a 2″×6″, 2″×8″, 2″×10″, 2″×12″ & 2×14 rafter span
The term clear span is distance between two end support, generally comes up a lot whether constructing a home, shed, or deck. Span refers to the distance a piece of dimensional lumber can cover before it needs to be supported by a foundation or support post.
When span guidelines are given, they refer to the distance between the center of one support to the center of another. So, in the case of deck beams, span refers to the distance between the center of one support post to the center of the next post.
In general, at 16″ oc, the maximum span of a 2×6 rafter need to be 12 feet, while the maximum span of a 2×8 rafter need to be 16 feet. Likewise, the maximum span of a 2×10 rafter need to be 21 feet, while the maximum span of a 2×12 rafter need to be 25 feet.
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What size rafter do i need for specific span
To determine the appropriate rafter size for a specific span, you’ll need to consider factors such as the type of wood, the load it will bear, and local building codes.
In general, at 16″ oc, from a 8 to 12 foot span, you would need a 2×6 rafter, while from a 13 to 16 foot span you would need a 2×8 rafter. Likewise, from a 17 to 20 foot span, you would need a 2×10 rafter, while from a 21 to 24 foot span you would need a 2×12 rafter. In addition, from a 25 to 30 foot span you would need a 2×14 rafter.
How far can a 2×6 lumber span
A 2×6 (2 by 6) spaced 16 inches apart from center can allow to 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.
How far can you span a 2×6 for a roof?
You can span a 2×6 or (2 by 6) dimensional lumber up to 14 feet 8 inches for a flatter roof when spaced 16 inches apart from center with a slope less than 3/12 and it can extend to 16 feet 4 inches for a roof with a slope greater than 3/12.
How far can you span a 2×8 for a roof?
You can span a 2×8 or (2 by 8) dimensional lumber up to 19 feet 6 inches for a flatter roof when spaced 16 inches apart from center with a slope less than 3/12.
How far can you span a 2×10 for a roof?
You can span a 2×10 or (2 by 10) dimensional lumber up to 24 feet 8 inches for a flatter roof when spaced 16 inches apart from center with a slope less than 3/12.
How far can you span a 2×12 for a roof?
You can span a 2×12 or (2 by 12) dimensional lumber up to 30 feet 0 inches for a flatter roof when spaced 16 inches apart from center with a slope less than 3/12
2×6 Rafter Span
A 2×6 (2 by 6) rafter can allow to span a maximum distance from 11 to 12 feet spaced at 16″ oc, from 12 to 14 feet spaced at 12″ oc, and from 9 to 11 feet spaced at 24″ oc.
2×8 Rafter Span
A 2×8 (2 by 8) rafter can allow to span a maximum distance from 14 to 16 feet spaced at 16″ oc, from 16 to 18 feet spaced at 12″ oc, and from 12 to 14 feet spaced at 24″ oc.
2×10 Rafter Span
A 2×10 (2 by 10) rafter can allow to span a maximum distance from 18 to 21 feet spaced at 16″ oc, from 21 to 23 feet spaced at 12″ oc, and from 14 to 17 feet spaced at 24″ oc.
2×12 Rafter Span
A 2×12 (2 by 12) rafter can allow to span a maximum distance from 21 to 25 feet spaced at 16″ oc, from 24 to 28 feet spaced at 12″ oc, and from 14 to 17 feet spaced at 24″ oc.
How far can a 2×6 rafter span without support
The maximum span for a 2×6 rafter without support depends on various factors, but however for construction-grade lumber with a typical spacing of 16 inches on center, a 2×6 rafter might span from 10 to 12 feet.
The maximum allowable span for a #1-SYP 2×6 rafter is typically about 16 feet 5 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from center, 14 feet 8 inches at 16″ OC & 12 feet 8 inches at 24″ OC on a roof with a 3/12 slope or less (flat roof) with a maximum live load of 20 pounds per square foot (lbs/ft2) and a dead load of 15 psf.
A typical 2×6 or (2 by 6) rafter can safely span up to 11 feet 5 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center without support and it can extend to span 12 feet 7 inches at 12″ OC.
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How far can a 2×8 rafter span without support
The maximum allowable span for 2×8 rafter is 21 feet 7 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from center, 19 feet 6 inches at 16″ OC & 18 feet 6 inches at 24″ OC with best quality No. 1-grade southern pine lumber on a roof with a 3/12 slope or less (flat roof) with a maximum live load of 20 pounds per square foot (lbs/ft2) and a dead load of 15 psf.
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A typical 2×8 or (2 by 8) rafter can safely span up to 14 feet 11 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center without support and it can extend to span 16 feet 7 inches at 12″ OC.
How far can a 2×10 rafter span without support
The maximum allowable span for 2×10 rafter is 27 feet 6 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from center, 24 feet 8 inches at 16″ OC & 21 feet 3 inches at 24″ OC with best quality No. 1-grade southern pine lumber on a roof with a 3/12 slope or less (flat roof) with a maximum live load of 20 pounds per square foot (lb/ft2) and a dead load of 15 psf.
A typical 2×10 or (2 by 10) rafter can safely span up to 18 feet 2 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center without support and it can extend to span 21 feet 0 inches at 12″ OC.
How far can a 2×12 rafter span without support
The maximum allowable span for 2×12 rafter is 33 feet 5 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from center, 30 feet 0 inches at 16″ OC & 25 feet 10 inches at 24″ OC with best quality No. 1-grade southern pine lumber on a roof with a 3/12 slope or less (flat roof) with a maximum live load of 20 pounds per square foot (lbs/ft2) and a dead load of 15 psf.
A typical 2×12 or (2 by 12) rafter can safely span up to 30 feet 0 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center without support and it can extend to span 33 feet 5 inches at 12″ OC.
How far can a 2×14 rafter span without support
The maximum allowable span for 2×14 rafter is 25 feet 11 inches when spaced 12 inches apart from center, 22 feet 6 inches at 16″ OC & 18 feet 4 inches at 24″ OC with best quality No. 1-grade southern pine lumber on a roof with a 3/12 slope or less (flat roof) with a maximum live load of 60 pounds per square foot (lbs/ft2) and a dead load of 15 psf.
A typical 2×14 or (2 by 14) rafter can safely span up to 22 feet 6 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center without support and it can extend to span 25 feet 11 inches at 12″ OC. It is used when maximum live load of 60 pounds per square foot (lbs/ft2) and a dead load of 15 psf.
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Maximum span for a 2×14 Rafter
The maximum span for a 2×14 rafter is typically about 22 feet and 6 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center, 25 feet 11 inches at 12″ OC & 18 feet 4 inches at 24″ OC without support.
Maximum span for a 2×12 Rafter
The maximum span for a 2×12 rafter is typically about 30 feet and 0 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center, 33 feet 5 inches at 12″ OC & 25 feet 10 inches at 24″ OC without support.
Maximum span for a 2×10 Rafter
The maximum span for a 2×10 rafter is typically about 24 feet and 8 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center, 27 feet 6 inches at 12″ OC & 21 feet 3 inches at 24″ OC without support.
Maximum span for a 2×8 Rafter
The maximum span for a 2×8 rafter is typically about 19 feet and 6 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center, 21 feet 7 inches at 12″ OC & 18 feet 6 inches at 24″ OC without support.
Maximum span for a 2×6 Rafter
The maximum span for a 2×6 rafter is typically about 14 feet and 8 inches when spaced 16 inches apart from center, 16 feet 5 inches at 12″ OC & 12 feet 8 inches at 24″ OC without support.
Conclusion:-
A typical 2×6 rafter can span a maximum distance of 14 feet 8 inches at 16″ OC. At same spaced, a typical 2×8 rafter can span up to 14 feet 8 inches, a 2×10 rafter can span 24′- 8″, a 2×12 rafter can span 30′-0″, and a 2×14 rafter can span up to 22 feet 6 inches.
