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Building Homes or Extensions/removing a support post right at the foot of the basement stairs

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Expert: - 2/26/2009


Question
I have a support post, right at the bottom of my stairs in the basesment.  It is pretty much right in the middle of the house.  I want to put in a support beam to cover the span.  From the wall on the West to the Wall on the East, the span would be 7'4".  The square footage of the home is 1609 on the main floor.  Is there a lamaneted wood beam that would fit, that is not over 12 to 14 inches thick?

Answer
Dear Hal,

I'm assuming the post is supporting a summer beam. Putting in a header spanning only 7'-4" is pretty easy. You can probably build up a header out of three regular 2"x8"x8' boards that will do the job, as long as you have good post supports on either side and tie it into the summer beam. Try to match the width of the existing summer beam above it so that it doesn't try to roll.

--Daniel  

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Daniel Humphrey

Expertise

I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.

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I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.

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B.A., M.F.A.

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