How much weight can a wooden floor support?

Do you know how much weight a wooden floor can support? This is crucial information, especially if you plan to start renovations, add heavy items, or install new flooring. It would be disappointing to transform your spaces only to find that you have damaged your floor. Although floor repair is possible, it’s better to prevent than to cure.

So, how can you determine the weight a wooden floor can support? The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of wooden floor and the weight you plan to place on it. Rest assured, our flooring installation experts have prepared this handy guide to help you.

Learn now how to determine the weight your wooden floor can support.

How to calculate the total weight capacity using joist span tables

What is a joist span table? The joist span table is a calculation method used to determine the resistance to various loads on your floor, such as permanent and temporary loads.

When calculating using the span table, it is important to consider these three essential elements:

• The type of floor: regular floor, without partitions, and lightweight;
• The value of the spacing, determined by the type of wood, thickness, and width of the planks;
• The span of the joist: This refers to the length of the beams supporting the floor, either parallel or in a star pattern with equal spacing. Generally, a joist’s span should not exceed 60 times its thickness. A joist of 6 cm should thus have a span less than 360 cm.

 
There are numerous joist span tables. It is therefore crucial to know the one best suited to your floor for accurate calculations. It’s also worth noting that the load standard for residential floors is 150 kg/m², representing 20% permanent loads and 80% temporary loads. This applies to regular floors. For lightweight or partition-free floors, the value is lower.
Make sure you understand your floor type before beginning any calculations.

Other factors to consider for determining a wooden floor’s weight capacity

Although using a joist span table is a good way to calculate the weight a floor can support, other factors can also influence it, including:
 

• Floor reinforcements, like open-web joists, fastening methods, and stiffeners. These elements can increase the load capacity of the floor.
• The type of wood used for joists, such as softwood, hardwood, or laminated. Softwood is generally not recommended.
• The distance between supports or the span of the room;
• The spacing between joists;
• Permanent loads, like furniture in the room, the weight of flooring or the ceiling below;
• Temporary loads that vary over time.

 
When determining how much weight a wooden floor can support, having as much information as possible is essential for accurate calculation. The more precise the information, the more accurate the result will be.
For any questions regarding wooden floors, contact us. One of our experts will take your call and gladly answer all your questions.