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Renovations to homes, including updated kitchens and bathrooms, have grown in popularity lately. Renos are done for a variety of reasons. 57% of homeowners reported gains in appraised value after completing their renovations, despite 93% reporting a greater quality of life. One such well-liked house improvement is the elimination of load-bearing walls.

Naturally, for this kind of work, you will need to employ a load-bearing wall professional. You will first need to think through a few things, though. The selection of an appropriate beam to replace the load-bearing wall is also one of the most important criteria. An attractive and secure open space arrangement may be achieved with the proper wall support beam.

The good news is that there are several options available to you for load-bearing support beams. That’s why many homeowners find it difficult to select the ideal match.

Let’s examine wall support beams and how to select them.

What Functions a Support Beam for Load Bearing?

A load-bearing support beam offers structural support, as its name implies. A load-bearing wall is removed and replaced with a beam that is sturdy enough to keep your home’s structure from collapsing. Following a comprehensive assessment, a load-bearing wall specialist would often propose the appropriate beam size and type.

Five Kinds of Support Beams for Walls

The building sector requires a variety of support beams, as you may expect. They are categorized according to a number of variables, including support circumstances, cross-sectional forms, and building materials. We will talk about the five most popular kinds of load-bearing support beams in this section.

1. Steel Beams

Being specialists in removing load-bearing walls, we frequently suggest steel beams. They are perhaps the greatest substitute to hold up your load-bearing wall. Even though they may support large weights, steel beams rust very seldom. Additionally, they are not vulnerable to termite damage or assault like solid wood beams are.

These load-bearing support beams are available in I, L, and T forms for their cross sections. We frequently utilize I-beams in our work as load-bearing wall specialists because they offer superior structural integrity, high tensile strength, and the finest support.

That being said, you might need to select a different kind of steel beam based on your situation. Therefore, it is essential to speak with a specialist before proceeding.

2. Timber Beams (Solid Wood)

From time to time customers request wooden or solid wood beams for the looks! In residential applications, they are essentially conventional, particularly when used with timber frame constructions.

Where both structural strength and aesthetics are required, solid wood beams can be used. Several woods are used for timber beams. Red maple, oak, yellow birch, redwood, and eastern white pine are a few of the examples.

Consider the aesthetics of the beam when choosing one if you plan to have it exposed. They may provide a building a warm, natural appearance, which is why they are frequently employed in traditional or rustic architecture. They also provide superior thermal performance.

However, in comparison to steel beams, they are appropriate for lower spans and lesser weights. Typically, a wood’s performance is determined by its size and kind. Furthermore, these wall support beams are vulnerable to insect, rodent, and fire damage.

3. Blended Beams

Composite beams are constructed from two or more materials, as the name implies. Materials with different strengths and degrees of flexibility are typically used by fabricators. The primary objective of creating a composite wall support beam is to provide increased tensile strength, weather resistance, and aesthetic appeal.

As one might expect, the most often utilized composite beams in the building sector are made of steel and concrete. For big and heavy load-bearing applications, they work well. However, load-bearing support beams composed of wood and plastic composites are also available. Naturally, though, you ought to speak with a load-bearing wall expert first.

4. Glulam (glued laminated timber) beams

Individual timber laminations joined together with adhesives make up glulam beams. Every lamination has a grain that is parallel to the wood’s length. For greater endurance, manufacturers frequently utilize strong, moisture-resistant adhesives. Because of this, glulam beams, when built and maintained correctly, may survive for many years.

In addition to strength and rigidity, these wall support beams are aesthetically pleasing. Glulam beams are frequently seen in both residential and commercial structures. They come in a range of forms and sizes as well. Your load-bearing wall expert may obtain a specially made beam with the necessary measurements.

5. Beams made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL)

They are an engineered wood product, just like glulam. These beams are similarly made of several thin wood layers bonded together with adhesives. Heat and pressure are used in this procedure to fuse together thinly cut veneers. Dimensional stability also applies to LVL beams. They are simple to install and cut.

You can request that an LVL beam be made specifically for the needed measurements from a load-bearing wall expert. The cost of LVL beams is lower than that of glulam beams. Additionally, they are far less expensive than steel beams. They might not be as strong as glulam, though. Nevertheless, an LVL wall support beam might be a great substitute if money is tight.

Selecting the Appropriate Help Beam

Naturally, speaking with a load-bearing wall expert is the first step. They can assist you in selecting the ideal support beam for your undertaking. However, you need also take the following into account while doing it.

First, ascertain the weight that your beam must bear. When choosing a beam, take into account both active loads (temporary or fluctuating loads) and dead loads (permanent installations).

Next, calculate the length of time needed to install the beam between the support locations. Longer spans often require stronger beams made of solid wood or steel.

You should also take pricing, availability, fire resistance, and design aesthetics into account. Obtain quotes from load-bearing wall removal companies when estimating prices. Making a budget might be aided by comparing these expenses.

Above all, obtain the required permits before to installing a beam in lieu of a load-bearing wall. Ensuring adherence to safety laws and construction rules is crucial.

Removing your load-bearing wall is a great method to make your plan more open. It won’t be as simple as it seems to find an appropriate wall support beam, though. Fortunately, there are many options, so you may select a beam based on your budget, aesthetic preferences, and load needs. Hopefully, this list of the top five support beams will help you better comprehend your alternatives.