OK… I’m afeered that this will betray my lack of “seasoned” status once again but here goes. I’m going to be taking out a bearing wall with a span of roughly 11′. It’s supports the second floor and attic. House depth is 24′. Joists are 2×8. I’d like to have a flush ceiling. From what I’ve seen in various tables it looks like I’m not going to do it with anything but steel. Correcto?
TIA,
PaulB
Replies
If 2X8s are 7 1/4", and you put a plate on top of a steel beam, that only leaves you 5 3/4" for a steel beam. I don't know anyone around here who even carries something that short, or if the design would fly.
Unless you're willing to jump through some hoops to have a flush ceiling, I'd say LVLs would look pretty good.
Like BossHog said - LVL & joist hangers. Make sure you put extra support under the 2 ends for the point loads (our engineer spec'd 2'x2'x2' concrete pads).
EDIT: Oops, never mind... Just reread and realized there's that 2nd floor to contend with (ours was just attic). Good luck!
Edited 7/5/2006 3:28 pm by wrudiger
They make I-beams 5-1/2". I did a job 2 years ago with one for the same reason your talking about. You can also have engineered a 7-1/4" flitch plate sandwiched in between two 2x's or LVL's. Here's a company I've used before called "Better Header". They have some good stuff available.
http://betterheader.com/default.asp
Joe Carola
Edited 7/5/2006 4:32 pm ET by Framer
Edited 7/5/2006 5:20 pm ET by Framer
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I think that's JUST what I'm looking for Joe, thank you! I can't seem to get their table to work but I shot them an email...
Thanks,
PaulB
I just used one a couple weeks ago that was 17' 4" and made up of (3)2x10's with (2)3/4" flitch plates in between.Here's a couple shots and you can see how nice and flush the bolts are just in case you had to use a dropped beam you, don't have to pack out.Joe Carola
You're making my mouth water Joe, it's exactly what I'm trying to do. I'll let you know what they say...
PaulB
Interesting product.
What is the pricing like?