Metal tubing for flooring... Help...

bigfelipe

bigfelipe

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I need to tap the CFF braintrust on a tiny house construction issue...

So I'm probably overthinking this, but I would like some suggestions on how to go about it anyhow. I'm building a lofted livingroom space in my tiny house. I want as thin a floor as possible to maintain headroom above it. So, wood framing is out. The platform will be 9' wide supported by 2" angle front and back. the back angle will be set into the framing and the front will be supported by a knee wall with exception of about a 3.5' span. I want to lay square tubing across from angle to angle to form the floor joists topped with 1/2"-3/4" ply/osb/T&G for the deck. The deck span is approx 66". I'm thinking 1.25 square tubing, 16" on center will do. I don't want a lot of deflection though. Is that unrealistic?
 
I'd say that should work covering. 5' 6" span easy.
But would go with 5/8" sub flooring ply running opposite the ' joist ' layout.


Bailey Boat said:
If your tubing is 1.25" and a 2x4 is 1.50 is 1/4" really going to be noticeable??
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The 2x4 should be on edge -3 1/2 " to support the flooring... Normally.

He could lay them flat then add a couple more in the field to support.
66" is not that far a span.
 
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Chdamn said:
You may have a more rigid support if you buy c channel instead of square tubing.
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This. C- channel is way more rigid structurally
 
2" C channel back to back to make an I beam, bolted or better welded together on 16" C to C and you could do some serious playing around up there.
 
Spanning 66", 1.5" Square tube with 0.120" wall thickness spaced @ 16" o.c. will meet the standard floor deflection limit of L/360.

So will a 2"x4" on edge. Not sure about that balsa wood the Lowes sells but southern yellow pine will work.

Be sure to anchor the ends. If not attached, the ends will want to pull towards the center allowing more deflection.
 
Tackleberry said:
Are you using 8020?
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Don't know what you are talking about

Bailey Boat said:
If your tubing is 1.25" and a 2x4 is 1.50 is 1/4" really going to be noticeable??
Click to expand...

If you mean laying 2x4 SPF flat, that won't work. It would be a trampoline. Even if I laid a solid layer of 2x4 it would bow.

ronn47 said:
2" C channel back to back to make an I beam, bolted or better welded together on 16" C to C and you could do some serious playing around up there.
Click to expand...

Yeah... no... That's great and all, but ridiculous for the application. I'd got with doubled up 2x3, 12" o.c. before messing with all that... lol...
 
muskrat said:
Spanning 66", 1.5" Square tube with 0.120" wall thickness spaced @ 16" o.c. will meet the standard floor deflection limit of L/360.

So will a 2"x4" on edge. Not sure about that balsa wood the Lowes sells but southern yellow pine will work.

Be sure to anchor the ends. If not attached, the ends will want to pull towards the center allowing more deflection.
Click to expand...

I figured you'd be in here eventually with the right info. Now get back in your nerdery.
 
That span, I bet you could get away with heavy walled .75" or 1" square tube.

Alro in gso, the one near elm, sells structural steel remnants for $1/lb. One of my favorite stores.
 
I had it in my head that it would be over a solid substrate not a span... Sorry.. Of course trampolines can be fun with the right person and circumstances....
 
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