According to a span calculation program some grades of some species can do
it. I'm not sure if the 10# live 5# dead loads they used is enough for the
1+ ft of insulation. For no. 2 southern pine, 16"oc, L/240, the software
said 17' 8". Don't know if I can identify the wood that's up there.
John
"Renata" wrote in message
...
Creative answer!
But, I wonder if that's legal, especially since, if not done right,
the ceiling will fall.

Renata

On Tue, 24 Jun 2003 19:50:28 -0400, "Carpenter Ant"
wrote:

"John D" wrote in message
...
Can I span 17' 4" with 2x6's, 16 oc, ceiling w/drywall, insulation, no
attic
--snip--

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yes as long as you nail (not screws) 2x4's from the ceiling joist to the
rafters creating a truss.

otherwise that would require 2x10 ceiling joists for a 17' 4" span 16" on
center.
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