Guy's, what is the largest garage that I could go with and have NO jack posts?

I am trying to plan a garage and wanted to know this before I set my plans to paper. What sizes do you guys have? I am not looking for a monster garage (due to money and land) but am trying to get as big as I can for 2 cars, tools, boxes, etc.

Any and all input is appreciated, please.

Metal or wood construction?I would think about 30ft. with 2x6 trusses.May have to check on local building codes to be sure.

Metal or wood construction?

Wood construction.

So far I got 2 different answers from 2 different "contractors". One said 24 the other said 30. How can this be so different?

It REALLY depends on what you will hold it up with. I maxed out at 26', but that's with 2x14 ply-lam beams, and living space above. I imagine a truss could go significantly further. That's really a question for a pro, a real pro. Know any structural engineers or architects?

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my garage is 48L x 40W clear spanned with trusses,I'm a general contractor,if you build with trusses,its just a matter of engineering the truss for the span.Thats a function of alot of things like JimM said...how far are you spanning,what are you going to do with, and in the building (i.e. you gonna store stuff in the attic,have a room up there,throw a block and tackle over the bottom cord of the truss and pull motors on it etc.)all the way down to how much snow you get in your area,trusses have to be designed for the max snow load for your part on the country etc. Any lumber yard worth its salt,including your Home Depots,Lowes,Menards and especially true Lumber Yards Like 84 Lumber and Wickes can do all the engineering #s for you.Tell them what you want to do,give them a box demension and they'll tell you what you got to have,how far on center the spacing needs to be etc.

As has been mentioned before..go as big as you possibly can. They seem to shrink in a hurry once you start putting all your "stuff" in there. Mine is 30x42. And go up if that is an option, i did mine 2 stories and it is now invaluable having all that storage space upstairs
http://www.camaros.net/showroom/data/500/medium/Barn.JPG

Guy's, what is the largest garage that I could go with and have NO jack posts?

Any and all input is appreciated, please.


Are they giving you quotes for site stacked roofs (framed onsite) ?
If you go with engineered truss you can get way more span than that, depending on LF, spacing and Pitch of roof (if your trying to match and existing building).
A common type simple Howe (K) type truss system can go to over 40'. A Double-Howe (KK) can go over 60' - depending on load and truss centers.

The use of eng. trusses will reduce overhead clearances and reduce storage options if you wanted an attic but, will give you lots of free-span on the floor.
This could be worked around with higher ceiling hights and/or using Sissors type trusses.

Here is a link to some common truss spec.s - http://www.alpeng.com/upload/19268/RoofSpan.pdf
Contact a local truss source for information on availablity in your area.
A good framing contractor will be able to help you through this.
Pricing on the engineered trusses would be offset by the install labor savings and quicker construction times, along with a meeting your span needs, v.s. going with site stacked roof.

Hope this helps

Thanks guys for all of the information. This is great and exactly what I was looking for.

Have a beer on me!!!!!!

whats wrong with using steel I-beams + conventional framing? there are companys that make "trolleys" that go on I-beams that can be useful with a chain fall. properly sized I-beams dont require columns.

Mike

I spanned 30 feet without any poles/columns(30x40 garage),with living space above.The engineered beams are called "TGI Clearspan" and are laminated plywood with structural lumber top and bottom.They're set at 12" from each other and there is no bounce at all when walking in the rooms above.I had an architect design/engineer it for me and couldn't be happier with the outcome.If I ever figure our how to post pics I'll show it to you all.