How To Support A Load Bearing Wall From The Attic

Replacing a load bearing wall with a support beam requires surprisingly few materials.

How to support a load bearing wall from the attic. One way to construct a beam is to sandwich two 2x8 boards around a layer 1 2 inch plywood. Look for an internal wall that s near the relative center of your house. Blind beam in attic to support sagging load bearing walls 17 s to removing an interior load bearing wall how to tell if a wall is load bearing load bearing or not and install a header. The old framing tied into the new beam with proper joist hangers and strong tie type connectors.

The most common method to support the structure after you remove a wall is to add a beam under the ceiling. A new beam goes in. This is the easiest method because you don t have to cut into the joists or other framing above the beam. It s simple and effective.

There s no need to cut another slot. Floor joists that frame into an exterior wall will need to be supported at the opposite end by a bearing wall or beam. There s a good chance this wall is load bearing especially if it runs parallel to a central basement support beam. The second wall can be mounted directly under the drywall.

Often these load bearing walls are roughly near the center of the house because the center of the house is the farthest point from any of the exterior walls. This method is popular because it does not require alterations to joists or framing above the beam. If you move the point loads to two locations these need to bear down all the way to footings. Typically either side of the new beam the walls and framing is shored up.

To assemble the support wall cut three plates 2x4s 1 in. If you need a second wall build it at least 2 ft. Wall removal and hidden beam in attic remodeling contractor talk. In the attic look down at the ceiling joists and ask yourself these.

If you answered yes to either of those questions the wall on the floor above is most likely load bearing. If you don t have a basement or have a finished ceiling take a look at your home s structure from the attic. How to recognize a load bearing wall from the attic. Especially critical is the beam you use.

Away from the load bearing wall to leave room to work and to slide the beam into place. The most common support system used to replace a load bearing wall is a beam under the ceiling and columns or posts which carry the weight down to the foundation. This project is more about labor than materials.