I'm sorry, Lawrence, you just aren't right. This has been done for ages to remove bearing walls. It is important that the carrier beam be sized for the load and that the holding method be adequate. Why would the beam care if the joists were on top, in plane, or underneath? It is still a uniformly distributed load. It would be much lighter for the OP to make a truss. Take the precut pieces up in the attic and assemble in location. My age is showing now, but I have seen the hangers done with 2x2 lumber and nails. I would definitely go with the angle iron approach. Prepunched is fine, but expensive. A joint of 2x2x1/8 would be less expensive and you drill your own holes, though the Simpson twist straps might be adequate. Engineering input is always preferred.
- Vote on answer
- posted
17 years ago