Page 294 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 240

If there’s no attic space for a concealed beam, substitute an exposed beam at least 6’8” above the floor.
Support ceiling joists temporarily with jacks and blocking while the partition is demolished and until the
new beam is in place.

Figure 10-15 illustrates another option if an exposed beam is objectionable and there’s no attic space
for a concealed beam. Existing joists are supported by a new beam inserted where the top of the
bearing wall had been. Place temporary joist supports on both sides of the bearing wall. Then remove
the bearing wall and cut the joists as needed. Insert the new beam and install a hanger for each joist.
Posts will also be needed to support this new beam.

The size of the beam required will vary with the span, load and lumber grade. Beam sizing like this is
work for a civil engineer. In some communities, you’ll need the approval of a licensed engineer before a
permit is issued. Your building department or lumber yard probably has span tables for beams and load
tables for posts that cover the most common residential situations. You probably won’t need an
engineer unless you’re spanning a huge opening. For example, licensed contractors are often allowed to
do simple engineering like this for houses up to 3,000 square feet. Houses this size and smaller are
fairly straightforward. Larger houses and commercial buildings are more likely to present more complex
engineering problems. When in doubt, make the framing much stronger than necessary. Building
departments never have a problem with this.