All structural calculators are based on the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC 2020) and CSA O86 (Engineering Design in Wood).
Beam Load Calculator
NBCC 2020 / CSA O86What size beam do I need? Calculate required beam size for lumber, LVL, glulam, or steel based on span, tributary width, and design loads.
Open calculatorRoof / Snow Load Calculator
NBCC 2020 Cl. 4.1.6How much snow load can my roof handle? Calculate specified snow load per NBCC 2020 for any Canadian city.
Open calculatorDeck Load Calculator
NBCC / CSA O86How much weight can my deck hold? Calculate required joist, beam, and post sizes for residential decks in Canada.
Open calculatorWind Load Calculator
NBCC 2020 Cl. 4.1.7Calculate wind pressure and lateral force for any Canadian city using NBCC 2020 Clause 4.1.7. Covers exposure categories A/B/C and importance factors.
Open calculatorStructural calculations in Canada are governed by the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC 2020) and its referenced standards, including CSA O86 for engineered wood. Unlike US building codes, the NBCC accounts for Canada's extreme snow load variation — the specified ground snow load (Ss) ranges from under 1.0 kPa in parts of BC to over 7.0 kPa in parts of Newfoundland and northern Quebec. A beam or roof designed to US loads will be undersized for most of Canada.
The roof snow load calculator uses NBCC Table C-2 city-specific Ss and Sr values to determine the design snow load on a sloped roof — accounting for roof slope, accumulation factor, and wind exposure. The beam load calculator sizes lumber, LVL, glulam, and steel beams based on span, tributary width, and combined dead and live loads per NBCC Part 4. The deck load calculator works through joist, beam, and post sizing for residential decks under NBCC Part 9, including frost-depth footing requirements by province.
These tools are most useful for homeowners planning permit applications, contractors doing preliminary sizing before engaging a structural engineer, and home inspectors checking whether existing members are within code. For any load-bearing structural change — removing a wall, adding a floor, or building a deck over 600 mm — a licensed engineer should review the final design.
All calculations cite the specific NBCC 2020 clause so your permit submission includes the correct standard reference.