In message , Scott M
writes
Murmansk wrote:
A friend of mine is looking at buying a two bed terrace house in Wales
which I suspect was built in about 1890.

snip

If anything Victorian ceiling joists are flimsier rather than stronger,
3x1 or so in houses. I was in the loft of a Victorian Methodist church
t'other day with 16" spacing of joists slung over a 12' span between
main timbers (60' or more overall), supporting a 1/2" tongue & groove
ceiling cladding (ie an 'ell of a weight). Joist size? About 3.5x1.5"
at best.

3"x2" here. Victorian farm cottages.


--
Tim Lamb