LVL Beam Span Chart
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is engineered from thin wood veneers glued together with grain running parallel, producing a beam that's dimensionally stable and significantly stronger than dimensional lumber. Values below are based on manufacturer tables from major LVL producers using a 1.9E grade at L/240 deflection for floor applications and L/180 for roof applications.
Common LVL Sizes
LVL is sold in two standard widths and a range of depths matched to common framing applications:
LVL Width (Thickness)
- 1.75" — standard single-ply width. Stocked at most lumberyards. Used for residential beams, ridge beams, and most headers.
- 3.5"— wider beam, typically built on-site by nailing or bolting two 1.75" members together per the manufacturer’s connection schedule. Some manufacturers also produce 3.5" as a single-piece beam.
- 5.25" and 7" — wider engineered beams typically only available as PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber, a related product) for heavy commercial loads.
LVL Depths
- 5.5" — light headers over short openings (under 4 feet) in single-story bearing walls.
- 7.25" — medium headers, short floor beams. Matches a 2x8 nominal depth for flush framing.
- 9.25" — common residential floor beam, header for medium openings. Matches 2x10 nominal depth.
- 9.5" — also stocked at some yards (slightly different mill standard).
- 11.25" — slightly shallower than 11.875, available from some mills.
- 11.875"— the most common residential floor beam depth, sized to be flush with 2x12 floor joists. If you’re framing a flush beam in a residential floor system, this is almost always the depth you want.
- 14" — medium-span floor beam, ridge beam in moderate-load roof applications.
- 16" — long-span floor beam, heavier ridge beam.
- 18" — long-span beam for great rooms, vaulted ceilings, or heavy-snow ridge applications. Often special-order; check lead time before specifying.
LVL Lengths
LVL is typically stocked in stock lengths from 8 feet up to 24 feet, in 4-foot increments. Lengths up to 60 feet are available by special order from major manufacturers, but lead times can run 4–8 weeks. For long-span ridge beams, plan ahead — these are not same-day pickup items.
Floor Beam Span Chart (40 psf live + 10 psf dead)
Maximum clear spans for LVL floor beams supporting uniform floor loads. Tributary width is the total width of floor area the beam supports.
| Beam Size | 6' Trib. | 8' Trib. | 10' Trib. | 12' Trib. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75 x 7.25 | 9'-2" | 8'-0" | 7'-1" | 6'-6" |
| 1.75 x 9.25 | 11'-8" | 10'-2" | 9'-1" | 8'-3" |
| 1.75 x 11.875 | 14'-10" | 12'-11" | 11'-7" | 10'-6" |
| 1.75 x 14 | 17'-6" | 15'-3" | 13'-7" | 12'-5" |
| 1.75 x 16 | 20'-0" | 17'-5" | 15'-7" | 14'-2" |
| 1.75 x 18 | 22'-6" | 19'-7" | 17'-6" | 15'-11" |
| 3.5 x 11.875 | 18'-8" | 16'-4" | 14'-7" | 13'-3" |
| 3.5 x 14 | 22'-0" | 19'-2" | 17'-2" | 15'-7" |
| 3.5 x 16 | 25'-2" | 21'-11" | 19'-7" | 17'-10" |
Roof Beam Span Chart (30 psf snow + 10 psf dead)
Maximum clear spans for LVL roof beams supporting typical snow loads. For heavy snow regions (50+ psf ground snow), reduce spans by 20-30% or consult a structural engineer.
| Beam Size | 8' Trib. | 12' Trib. | 16' Trib. | 20' Trib. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75 x 9.25 | 12'-2" | 10'-0" | 8'-8" | 7'-9" |
| 1.75 x 11.875 | 15'-6" | 12'-8" | 11'-0" | 9'-10" |
| 1.75 x 14 | 18'-3" | 14'-11" | 12'-11" | 11'-7" |
| 1.75 x 16 | 20'-10" | 17'-0" | 14'-9" | 13'-3" |
| 1.75 x 18 | 23'-5" | 19'-1" | 16'-7" | 14'-10" |
| 3.5 x 11.875 | 19'-6" | 15'-11" | 13'-10" | 12'-5" |
| 3.5 x 14 | 23'-0" | 18'-10" | 16'-4" | 14'-8" |
LVL Header Span Chart
For LVL beams used as headers over door and window openings in bearing walls, supporting one story with roof loads.
| Header Size | Light Load | Heavy Load |
|---|---|---|
| 1.75 x 5.5 | 4'-0" | 3'-2" |
| 1.75 x 7.25 | 5'-4" | 4'-3" |
| 1.75 x 9.25 | 6'-10" | 5'-5" |
| 1.75 x 11.875 | 8'-9" | 7'-0" |
| 1.75 x 14 | 10'-4" | 8'-3" |
| 3.5 x 9.25 | 10'-2" | 8'-1" |
| 3.5 x 11.875 | 13'-0" | 10'-4" |
| 3.5 x 14 | 15'-4" | 12'-3" |
When to Use LVL vs Dimensional Lumber vs Glulam
LVLis the default for residential beams between about 10 and 24 feet. It's stronger than dimensional lumber, dimensionally stable (no crowning or twisting over time), and readily available at any lumberyard. Use for floor beams, roof beams, ridge beams, and headers in standard applications.
Dimensional lumber(sistered 2x10s, 2x12s, etc.) works for shorter spans under about 12 feet with light to moderate loads. It's cheaper and doesn't require ordering, but you're limited to the strength values of the lumber grade available, and dimensional lumber will crown and twist over time in ways LVL won't.
Glulamis better for very long spans (25+ feet), curved beam shapes, or architecturally exposed beams. Glulam can be made in custom sizes, has superior appearance for exposed applications, and is stronger than LVL at extreme spans. It's also more expensive and has longer lead times.
Critical LVL Warnings
- Interior LVL is NOT rated for exterior use. Standard LVL uses adhesives that degrade with moisture cycling. If the beam will be exposed to weather, use pressure-treated LVL (PWLVL) specifically rated for exterior service, or a treated glulam.
- LVL beams must be installed with the lamination oriented correctly. The grain runs parallel to the beam length and the laminations stack vertically when the beam is in its installed orientation. Installing LVL on its side dramatically reduces capacity.
- Multiple-ply LVL beams must be connected properly. When two or three 1.75" LVLs are combined to act as a wider beam, they must be fastened together per manufacturer specifications — typically two rows of 10d nails at 12" o.c. minimum, or structural bolts depending on load.
Calculate Your Specific Beam
- LVL Beam Calculator — check deflection, bending, and shear for your specific span and loading
- Header Span Calculator — sizing headers over door and window openings
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common LVL sizes?
Standard LVL widths are 1.75" (single beam) and 3.5" (doubled beam, often laminated on-site). Common depths are 5.5", 7.25", 9.25", 9.5", 11.25", 11.875", 14", 16", and 18". The 11.875" depth is sized to match a 2x12 nominal dimension for flush framing with floor joists.
How far can a 1.75 x 9.25 LVL beam span?
A single 1.75" × 9.25" LVL with 1.9E grade can span approximately 11'-8" supporting a 6-foot tributary width of floor load (40 psf live + 10 psf dead) at L/240 deflection. Doubled to 3.5" × 9.25", the span increases proportionally for the same loading.
How far can a 1.75 x 11.875 LVL beam span?
A 1.75" × 11.875" LVL beam can span approximately 14'-10" with a 6-foot floor tributary and approximately 12'-11" with an 8-foot tributary at typical residential loads. The 11.875" depth makes this size flush with 2x12 floor joists, which is why it's a common choice for residential floor beams.
How far can a 1.75 x 14 LVL beam span?
A 1.75" × 14" LVL beam can span approximately 17'-6" with a 6-foot tributary, 15'-3" with 8-foot, and 13'-7" with 10-foot residential floor loads. It's a common choice for medium-span residential floor beams and ridge beams.
How far can a 3.5 x 11.875 LVL beam span?
A doubled (3.5") 11.875" LVL beam can span approximately 18'-8" with a 6-foot tributary, 16'-4" with 8-foot, and 14'-7" with 10-foot residential loads. Doubling the width approximately matches the span gains of moving to a deeper single beam, but is often easier to source.
What is the difference between LVL and PSL?
Both are engineered structural lumber. LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) is built from thin wood veneers glued in parallel layers, producing a uniform beam typically 1.75" or 3.5" wide. PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber, e.g., Parallam) is made from longer wood strands and can be manufactured in larger cross-sections (5.25", 7") for very heavy loads. PSL is stronger but more expensive; LVL covers most residential applications.
Can I use interior LVL outdoors?
No. Standard LVL uses adhesives that degrade with moisture cycling. For exterior beams (deck beams, exterior porch beams, exposed-to-weather situations), specify pressure-treated LVL (PWLVL) which is rated for exterior service, or use treated glulam. Always verify with the manufacturer's published exterior-rating documentation before installing in weather-exposed locations.
How do I connect two 1.75 LVLs together to make a 3.5 inch beam?
Multiple-ply LVL beams must be fastened per manufacturer spec, typically two rows of 10d nails at 12" on-center minimum, or structural bolts depending on load. Critical: the lamination orientation must run vertically (the way it ships from the mill) — installing LVL on its side dramatically reduces capacity. Always follow the specific manufacturer's connection details, not generic guidance.
Do LVL span tables apply to all manufacturers?
Generic span tables (like those on this page) are based on a typical 1.9E grade and should be treated as guidance only. Each manufacturer (Boise, Weyerhaeuser, LP, Roseburg, etc.) publishes their own span tables for their specific products and grades. For final design, always reference the specific manufacturer's tables for the LVL you're actually buying — and consult a structural engineer for non-standard loads.