Expert: Dan Griffin - 12/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: i currently have a wall between my living room and den. my house is 8" block construction. i want to take the wall out but i cant put a beam underneath the ceiling joists my ceiling are 7'3". what i would like to do is run two lvl beams spanning 20ft from one block wall to the next running perpendicular to the ceiling joist and on top of the joist in the attic, there is nothing up there no storage or anything. i would connect the lvl beams with a hurricane tie on each ceiling joist then screw them into the lvl beams. the tie i was looking at is u shaped and has a flat on the top for screwing into the lvl beam. my house has 2x6 ceiling joist and 2x6 rafters. i was also thinking i could connect the rafters to the ceiling joist vertically to help with the ceiling load. also my ceiling is a plaster ceiling. hope this helps

thanks Jeff summers

ANSWER: Jeff, it sounds doable to me.  I assume you have something in mind to get the LVL beam into the attic.  I have done this in the past using 2x2s spiked into the sides of the over beam and each side of each joist.  I'm sure Simpson makes something better, but double check about using screws.  Most ties and loads are derived from very specific nail sizes.  You could also consider through bolting.  The loads are not huge, the trick is to get hold of everything before it moves, not after.  You might also consider raising the ceiling joists with the temporary bracing you should install before removing the esisting wall.  Build in a bit of deliberate camber with thoughts of ending up level once all loads are settled.

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QUESTION: thanks for the information it is very helpfull i do have another question if you dont mind, my span between walls is 12' on one side and 15' on the other side and the lvl beams would be 20' running perpindicular to the 12' and 15' span do you know what size lvl beams i should purchase once i know that i can get started.

thanks again

jeff summers

Answer
Jeff, you are spanning a long way.  the old seat of the pants rule for a header would be heighth in inches for span in feet.  A double 2x6 header will span 6'.  This rule has you up in 20" deep territory.  I have built simple w trusses of 2x4 up in the attic, but it would be much too difficult to explain in text.  Contact a real lumber yard in your area to see if they can assist in selecting a beam size.  the next alternative is a structural engineer.  A flitch plate beam may keep the sizes down to something more manageable.