Install Support Beams
Support beams are the backbone of your open floor plan. They transfer the load from a removed wall to posts or adjacent walls. This is the most structurally critical step in the entire renovation and must be done by a licensed contractor following stamped engineering plans.
Time Required
1-2 days
Cost
$2,000-$8,000
Difficulty
Professional Only
Beam Types Compared
- LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber): $3-$12/linear foot. Most common for residential spans up to 20 feet. Multiple plies bolted together. Can be stained or wrapped to look like solid wood.
- Steel I-beam: $6-$20/linear foot. Strongest option for long spans. Required for openings over 16-20 feet. Heavier and needs welding or bolted connections. Typically hidden inside the ceiling.
- Glulam beam: $5-$15/linear foot. Engineered wood that can be left exposed for a design feature. Strong and attractive but more expensive than LVL. Great for visible beam applications.
- PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber): $6-$14/linear foot. High strength, used for columns and beams. Distinctive strand pattern can be left exposed as a design element.
Installation Steps
Verify temporary shoring is secure
Before lifting the beam, confirm that temporary support walls are tight against the ceiling joists and carrying the full load. Check for any deflection or movement. This is a safety-critical step.
Position and raise the beam
LVL beams for a typical living room span can weigh 200-500 pounds. Steel beams are heavier. Multiple workers or a beam jack raises the beam into the pocket cut into the top plate. The beam must sit level and tight against the joists.
Install posts and connect hardware
Set support posts per the engineering drawings. Install Simpson Strong-Tie connectors, joist hangers, and post caps as specified. Every connection must match the stamped plans exactly. The inspector will check each one.
Schedule the framing inspection
Call for a structural framing inspection before covering the beam with drywall. The inspector verifies beam size, post placement, hardware, and connections against the approved plans. Do not proceed until this passes.
Pro Tips
- •Flush vs. exposed beams: A flush beam sits inside the ceiling plane and is invisible once drywalled. An exposed beam hangs below the ceiling line. Flush beams require deeper pockets and may need ceiling height adjustments.
- •Check foundation below posts: Support posts transfer significant point loads to the foundation. The engineer may require additional footings if the existing foundation can't handle the concentrated load.
- •This is not DIY: Beam installation requires precision, heavy lifting, and structural knowledge. A mistake here risks catastrophic failure. Always hire a licensed contractor with beam installation experience.