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John
 
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Default determining beam size

Hey everyone,

I'm pushing my carpentry skills a little by building a small porch onto a
corner of my house.

I'm in the planning stage right now, and I'm trying to determine beam size.
My porch will be 8 feet deep, but 16 feet wide. I was hoping to get a beam
for the front 16 foot wide end of the roof that can be held up by just 2
posts, one in each corner. I've got a few tables from a deck building book
that does not have anything to span 16 feet.

I've talked to a couple of builders, and they tell me they just ask the
folks at the lumber yard. I'm looking to find a chart that will help me
determine for myself.

any suggestions?

-Thanks,

jeff