I have removed support walls before, but this one has a different sort of roof structure. The roof spans the house about 40'. The support wall is dead in the middle and in line with the roof ridge beam. There are vertical support studs directly under the ridge beam and on top of the wall I want to remove part of. There are also lateral support webs or ties that go from about 1/2 way down the roof and also sit on top of this same wall. This roof design seems to be transfering a lot of the roof weight to this wall. Can I build a beam out of two 2x12's and 1/2" plywood, or will I need a LVL? What about putting a 2x12 on each side of the vertical studs and using rafter ties (or similar) to attach the ceiling joists and these lateral supports to it so I can put the "beam" in the attic?
Thanks in advance for your help !