Install Support Beams
When load-bearing walls come down, support beams go up. This is the most structurally critical step in your living room remodel. The beam carries the weight that the removed wall once supported, transferring loads to new posts or existing bearing points. Getting this right is non-negotiable because the safety of your entire home depends on it.
Time Required
1-3 days per beam
Cost
$3,000-$10,000 per beam
Difficulty
Professional required
Steel I-Beams vs. LVL Beams
Steel I-beams
Steel beams span longer distances with a shallower profile, making them ideal when ceiling height is limited. A steel W8x10 beam can span 16-20 feet while being only 8 inches deep. They cost more ($150-$300 per linear foot installed) but take up less vertical space. Steel requires welding or bolted connections and must be wrapped in drywall for fire protection in most jurisdictions.
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
LVL beams are engineered wood products made from thin wood veneers laminated together. They are lighter, easier to work with, and less expensive ($80-$150 per linear foot installed). Multiple LVL plies can be bolted together for greater strength. They integrate easily with standard wood framing but require deeper profiles than steel for equivalent spans.
Glulam beams
Glue-laminated timber beams offer an attractive exposed-wood option when the beam will be visible. Common in living rooms with exposed beam ceilings or transitional-style open concepts. They cost $100-$200 per linear foot installed and can be stained to match your design. Ideal when the beam is a design feature, not just structure.
Structural Engineer Requirements
- Mandatory engineering calculations: A licensed structural engineer must size every beam based on the loads it carries, the span distance, and the bearing capacity at each end point. This is not optional and not something a contractor should guess at. Engineering fees run $500-$2,000 per beam.
- Bearing point design: The beam transfers its load to posts or columns at each end. The engineer specifies what happens beneath those posts: a steel post plate, a concrete pad in the crawlspace, or reinforcement of an existing foundation wall. Inadequate bearing causes settling and cracking.
- Permit and inspection required: Beam installations require a structural permit and framing inspection before drywall can proceed. The inspector verifies beam size, connections, bearing points, and temporary shoring removal timing. Never close up walls before passing this inspection.
- Deflection limits: The engineer calculates not just whether the beam is strong enough, but whether it will visibly sag under load. Residential beams are typically limited to L/360 deflection, meaning a 20-foot beam can deflect no more than two-thirds of an inch at its center.
Temporary Shoring Process
- Before wall removal begins: Temporary support walls or adjustable steel posts are installed on both sides of the wall being removed. These carry the load during the transition period. Shoring must be rated for the load and inspected before any cutting starts.
- During beam installation: The crew lifts the beam into position using a combination of jacks, temporary supports, and sometimes a small crane for steel beams. The beam is set on its bearing points and fastened according to the engineer's connection details. This process takes a few hours to a full day.
- Shoring stays until beam is verified: Temporary supports remain in place until the framing inspector confirms the beam installation meets the engineered plans. Only after inspection approval can shoring be removed. Premature removal risks catastrophic structural failure.
- Floor protection during the lift: Steel beams weigh 200-500+ pounds. Protect your subfloor with plywood runners and ensure the crew has a clear path. Dropping a steel beam can punch through a subfloor and damage the structure below.
Pro Tips
- •Plan beam concealment early: Decide now whether the beam will be hidden inside the ceiling, wrapped in drywall with a flush finish, or left exposed as a design element. This decision affects the beam type, depth, and ceiling framing around it.
- •Consider post placement carefully: Support posts at beam ends may land in visible locations. An engineer can sometimes shift bearing points to land inside a wall, at a cabinet edge, or behind a column detail rather than in the middle of your open floor plan.
- •Budget for the unexpected: Once the wall opens, you may discover outdated wiring, plumbing, or previous structural modifications that need correction. Keep 15-20% of your beam budget as contingency for hidden conditions.