SpanFinder.com.au
Deck Span Tables Australia
One consolidated guide for deck span tables, span charts, joist tables, bearer tables and load terms instead of spreading the same SEO intent across multiple small pages.
TablesTargets deck span table, deck span tables Australia, joist span table and bearer span table searches.
What this page is for
Most deck span tables are supplied as manufacturer PDFs or technical guides. They are useful, but they can be hard to compare because each source may use different span columns, load cases, floor load width assumptions, joist spacing, dead load bands or span type wording.
SpanFinder turns those terms into a searchable guide and a simple span finder so a user can understand the difference between a joist span table, a bearer span table and a span chart before checking the original source document.
span tablespan chartjoist spanbearer spanFLWcantilever
Core span-table terms
- Single span: one clear span between two supports.
- Continuous span: a member running across more than two supports.
- Cantilever: a portion of joist or bearer projecting past a support.
- Floor load width: the width of deck area loading a bearer.
- Dead load: the permanent weight of decking, framing and finishes.
- Live load: occupancy and use load allowed for by the table.
How to use a deck span table
| Step | Input to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|
| 1 | Member type | Joist span tables and bearer span tables are not interchangeable. |
| 2 | Span type | Single span, continuous span and cantilever tables may give different allowable spans. |
| 3 | Load case | Deck height, live load, dead load and roof load can change the span result. |
| 4 | Spacing or FLW | Joists often use spacing columns. Bearers often use floor load width columns. |
| 5 | Product and material | Boxspan, DuraGal RHS, LVL, timber and aluminium systems all publish span information differently. |
Joist span tables
Used for deck joists, floor joists and members supporting decking boards. Common inputs include joist spacing, deck height, dead load and single or continuous span.
Bearer span tables
Used for bearers, beams and members supporting joists. Common inputs include floor load width, post spacing, support spacing and whether the bearer is internal or at an edge.
Span charts
A span chart is usually a simpler way to compare published span-table results. SpanFinder uses calculator-style inputs and result cards to make the chart easier to read.
Official sources represented in the current tool
Span chart
A span chart is a clearer comparison view built from span-table data. It helps compare required span, maximum published span and margin without manually reading every row.
Use charts for shortlisting only. Final selection still needs the original table notes, assumptions and project-specific checks.
Joist span table
A joist span table checks how far a joist can span between supports for a stated product, spacing, load and span type. Joist tables should not be substituted for bearer tables.
- Common spacing inputs include 300, 400, 450 and 600 mm centres.
- Single and continuous spans can give different results.
- Decking dead load can change the allowable span.
Bearer span table
A bearer span table checks the member supporting joists and spanning between posts or supports. Bearer tables usually need FLW, span type, product size and load assumptions.
- Post spacing is usually the bearer span, not the joist span.
- FLW describes the tributary deck width carried by the bearer.
- Edge and internal bearers can have different load widths.
Dead load and live load
Dead load is the permanent weight of the framing, decking and fixed materials. Live load is the variable load from people, furniture and use.
Heavier decking or finishes can reduce span, so the selected span-table row must match the load assumptions used by the source data.
Searches this page now covers
deck span tables Australiadeck span chartdeck joist span tabledeck bearer span tabledecking dead loadlive load deck span
The old individual pages for these topics now redirect here so the site has fewer but stronger pages.
Related calculators and guides
Deck span table FAQs
What is a deck span table?
A deck span table is a published table that shows the maximum allowable span for a joist, bearer or beam under stated loading, spacing, support and use conditions.
What is a deck span chart?
A deck span chart is a visual or simplified way of presenting span-table information so users can compare joist spans, bearer spans, spacing, FLW and product options more quickly.
What does FLW mean in a span table?
FLW means floor load width. It is the width of floor or deck area that loads onto a bearer or beam. A larger FLW usually reduces the allowable bearer span.
What is the difference between joist span and bearer span?
Joist span is the distance a joist spans between supports. Bearer span is the distance a bearer or beam spans between posts, piers or other supports.
Can this be used for final design?
No. SpanFinder is for preliminary comparison. Final selections should be checked against the current manufacturer span tables and the actual site conditions.
SpanFinder toolkit
Move between the live finder, load-width calculators and plain-English guide pages without losing the flow of the job.
Calculation pathway
A cleaner way to work through a span check
1Choose the member
Decide whether the check is for a joist, bearer, beam or related support member.
2Confirm load width
Use FLW or spacing inputs to describe how much area the member is carrying.
3Compare suitable spans
Use the live finder and guide pages to compare preliminary member options.
4Verify final design
Confirm product data, site conditions, manufacturer requirements and engineering where required.
