Question for houses. How heavy is too heavy

[5.4MarkVIII]

Having a wood stove installed in the new place

Wife has decided she wants a natural stone and wants a single slab if possable for the stove to sit on.

I’ve rough estimated that the slab To cover this could come in around 500lbs

And approx. Another 200-300 for the stove itself.

This is going on the main floor against an outside wall There is a basement under and a wall that runs Perpendicular to the foundation almost directly under the stove. But I don’t think it’s load bearing as it runs parallel to the floor joists.

Just wondering how heavy is too heavy on a floor

Thanks

[Laffs]

What size floor joists/span/joist spacing will play a pretty big part in determining what load it can handle. Also, how large is the slab going be to spready to load out?

[5.4MarkVIII]

Span and joists look pretty standard. But I’ll have to measure to be sure. 1950’s build

Slab has to be a minimum 40” x 56”

And the ones she is looking at at 2-3 inches think.

I think I’ve estimated high on the weight but won’t know for sure till they throw it on the scale.

[Quicksilver]

Since the early 70's, a new construction deck has to support at least 40 pounds per square foot. I would think a house would be much the same. Your slab is 16.6 sq ft, or roughly 25-30 pounds per square foot. So, it ought to be ok. I am not an engineer or architect, so please don't take me as gospel on this matter, but if the joists are 2x8's and 16" o/c, I can't see any problems. Worst case: sister in some extra joists.

[hsousa88]

My thoughts exactly.. add some joists if your worried about it. Probably overkill but that’s ok.

[5.4MarkVIII]

thanks. joists are 2x8 and 16 on center. so should be fine. will sister if needed.

[Quicksilver]

thanks. joists are 2x8 and 16 on center. so should be fine. will sister if needed.

Maybe it goes without saying (it sounds like you are pretty familiar with construction), but If your slab is 4-5 ft wide, you'll need to just add 3 joists in between the existing. Make sure that the new joists are long enough to have 2 points of support, he ledger: with a joist hanger, and a beam not more than about 10 ft away.