I’m planning on removing a load bearing wall in my 70s rancher. My structural engineer recommended hanging the beam above the existing wall, adding posts, and new footings for the posts.
The ceiling joists, however, are different width boards. One side is 2×5 and the other is 2×7. So where they lap together, and the place where the beam may be placed, is a two inch gap from joist to beam on one side. Once this was discovered, I sort of changed my mind with hanging the beam above, and decided to recess the beam between both joists. This that my best option? Or is it doable with blocking to close that 2” gap?
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Hanging beans are great. I’m sure you can shim the difference with a block of wood.
Wondering what the issue is.
Are the bottoms of the joists at the same level?
This is where the loads should transfer, I would think.
You should be able to find joist hangers meant for this purpose, and leave the joists connected to each other (or add the connection) if needed for structural reasons.