Ron Van
Well-Known Member
Hello. I have a question for the group. We have recently Installed a 11’ concealed beam in our house and two exposed beams in our daughter’s house. You can see those projects here:
Counter Beam Sizing
We’re still doing the final touches on the kitchen remodel but looking ahead, the next phase will be a bathroom/bedroom update. This will involve moving another load bearing wall which could be done in a similar way to our other concealed beam but I was thinking…. Why couldn’t a load bearing beam be installed above the ceiling joists and then hang the joists from it rather than cut the joists and re-attach the joists to the new beam with hangers?
As discussed in the above mentioned thread, on a conventional wood truss roof, the bottom chord creates a tension tie between the outside walls. The roof’s downward force wants to push the exterior walls outward but the joists (or rafter ties in a cathedral ceiling) oppose this force. When installing a concealed beam, you must securely tie the joists to the new beam to restore this rafter tie function. A concealed beam's purpose is to support the roof but will also keep the joists from bowing due to ceiling weight and also there may be support struts connected to it as part of the roof system. But a beam above the joists would not have to cut the joists and would not disturb the rafter tie function.
The illustration(s) below show the rafter tie function of a roof system.
Here is an example of a load bearing beam above the ceiling joists.
Article below from:
https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/framing/an-upside-down-beam_o
I haven't solidified my bathroom plan yet. As it stands now, I may only move a 3' section over by 9" and it will actually be closer to the center of the house where the center foundation supports are. In other words, It will move to a more structurally sound location. But I think I'd like the option of moving any part of a 12' section of wall either now or in the future without having to worry about it being load bearing. I could put a 12' LVL in the attic above the ceiling joists and hang the joists like the examples above, then, I could move or take out any section of the wall I want.
What are the pros and cons of putting a beam above the joists?
Counter Beam Sizing
We’re still doing the final touches on the kitchen remodel but looking ahead, the next phase will be a bathroom/bedroom update. This will involve moving another load bearing wall which could be done in a similar way to our other concealed beam but I was thinking…. Why couldn’t a load bearing beam be installed above the ceiling joists and then hang the joists from it rather than cut the joists and re-attach the joists to the new beam with hangers?
As discussed in the above mentioned thread, on a conventional wood truss roof, the bottom chord creates a tension tie between the outside walls. The roof’s downward force wants to push the exterior walls outward but the joists (or rafter ties in a cathedral ceiling) oppose this force. When installing a concealed beam, you must securely tie the joists to the new beam to restore this rafter tie function. A concealed beam's purpose is to support the roof but will also keep the joists from bowing due to ceiling weight and also there may be support struts connected to it as part of the roof system. But a beam above the joists would not have to cut the joists and would not disturb the rafter tie function.
The illustration(s) below show the rafter tie function of a roof system.
Here is an example of a load bearing beam above the ceiling joists.
Article below from:
https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/framing/an-upside-down-beam_o
I haven't solidified my bathroom plan yet. As it stands now, I may only move a 3' section over by 9" and it will actually be closer to the center of the house where the center foundation supports are. In other words, It will move to a more structurally sound location. But I think I'd like the option of moving any part of a 12' section of wall either now or in the future without having to worry about it being load bearing. I could put a 12' LVL in the attic above the ceiling joists and hang the joists like the examples above, then, I could move or take out any section of the wall I want.
What are the pros and cons of putting a beam above the joists?
