Can I put up a wall in basement the length of support wall and then the low beam would not be an issue and the support poles would be hidden or do you need access to the poles?
Also can you cut into beam to put in door to a bedroom?
Yes you can, it's a great way to hide the poles, and no you do not need to have access to them. Once the new wall is in place and tight to the underside of the beam, you can cut out that section of beam.
However, you must support the floor joists over the cut temperarily, until you can install a header (beam) over the door way to carry the load of those floor joists. I would recomend making the header out of at least 2 - 2x8's.
For sure you can put a wall up the length of the support beam and you don't need access to the posts. However, DO NOT cut into any support beam or even floor joists. EVER.
Good luck.
Hi Heather,
Always a great way to hide a beam and tele-posts by having them inside the new wall.
Consult an engineer before altering your support beam and don't forget you need a Building Permit for this project because you are adding walls where there are currently not any.
Also if you are using the room as a bedroom there are Safety codes you must follow such as the size of the window in the room and the electrical outlets where necessary must be AFCI which is a special type of electrical receptacle.
Thanks,
Dave
Never cut into the beam. But you may be able to find a way of taking the drop beam and turning it into a flush mount beam.
If your only taking out the span of a doorway you can probaby cut out that section and take a longer beam (the same depth as the floor joists) to replace it up above.... you will be landing it on the existing drop beam. You will have to make sure you have enough bearing on each side.
But with that said u should still consult an engineer.
Heather,
Yes to the walling in the beam. No to the cutting of the beam. Just cut the door down to accomodate the difference.
Yes you can cover the posts and beams.
No you should NOT cut out or into any support beams.
Also, please keep in mind that if you are adding a bedroom in your basement, you need to follow the regulations in your provincial building code for means of egress etc..
Heather,
Yes, you can install a wall under the support beam and inclose the adjusting post's in the wall. Most renovators would do this, however you should never cut into the support beam, you should be able to cut down the door frame to fit under the beam and make the required adjustment to the door.
It's definitely not a good idea to cut a hole in your support beam to add a door and no, you do not need access to your posts.
The wall sounds good, but the cutting of the beam isn't.
One comment said to cut them and reinforce with headers, its a good idea but the weight from the new headers have to be supported by footings. On either side of the door opening the concrete has to be removed and a hole usually 2'x2'x2' has to be dug out and filled with footing grade concrete (5000 psi or greater) and re-bar for strength.
New posts have to be installed on to those footings on both sides of the doorway. Posts can be made from wood min. (2) 2x4 (not forgetting the sill gasket) for each post. Or go to your local building supply store to get steel posts.
All of this ideally should be done before you cut the beam.
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