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My building is a pole frame structure, modified from barn plans. Supports are 6×6 posts sunk 4′ to 5′ deep, set on 8″ to 10″ thick punch pads about 20″ to 22″ in diameter. Joist headers are single 2×12’s bolted or lag screwed to the posts. Joists are 2×6 on 16″ centers most are 7’3″ span some are slightly over 8′ spans.
Insulation is R19 with hardware cloth tacked to the bottom of the joists to keep mice out.
Floor is 3/4″ PT plywood with 3/4″ T&G overlaid. All joists, headers, and posts are PT pine, #2 or better.
I would like to put tile down, but would prefer to avoid the additional expense of hardibacker if possible. But the big question I have is can I put tile down at all? My tables quoted 2×6’s on 16″ centers as having a 9’6″ span for 60 lbs live load. But will this handle having tile laid on top of it, and will the headers handle the additional loading as well? I don’t expect to have 60 lbs live load, btw. Was shooting to overbuild.
The 2x12s span 8’6″ or so. Barn plans called for headers in this size in a barn intended for use stacking hay, but I’ve since been told those headers are undersized.
Is tile a possibility or a no go in these circumstances?
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My building is a pole frame structure, modified from barn plans. Supports are 6x6 posts sunk 4' to 5' deep, set on 8" to 10" thick punch pads about 20" to 22" in diameter. Joist headers are single 2x12's bolted or lag screwed to the posts. Joists are 2x6 on 16" centers most are 7'3" span some are slightly over 8' spans.
Insulation is R19 with hardware cloth tacked to the bottom of the joists to keep mice out.
Floor is 3/4" PT plywood with 3/4" T&G overlaid. All joists, headers, and posts are PT pine, #2 or better.
I would like to put tile down, but would prefer to avoid the additional expense of hardibacker if possible. But the big question I have is can I put tile down at all? My tables quoted 2x6's on 16" centers as having a 9'6" span for 60 lbs live load. But will this handle having tile laid on top of it, and will the headers handle the additional loading as well? I don't expect to have 60 lbs live load, btw. Was shooting to overbuild.
The 2x12s span 8'6" or so. Barn plans called for headers in this size in a barn intended for use stacking hay, but I've since been told those headers are undersized.
Is tile a possibility or a no go in these circumstances?
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Hey Sojourner,
I can't really tell what this building is-is it your house?
The 2x6's are really small for joists, even with short spans. Was the building designed to be heated?
I wouldn't worry about hardibacker in general, tile has been laid for years on plywood, but there are precautions to be wary of, and one is deflection. You can measure deflection, but simply enough, if you can feel the floor move as you step hard on it, you'll likely have too much.
Is this over a crawlspace? Are the 2x6's resting on top of the 2x12's or attached with joist hangers?
It could be touchy if it's over an unheated space, you'll want to be sure to use some additives.
Good luck,
MD