Expert: Dave Johnson - 12/11/2006

Question
Ok I have a house built in 1890, it is a three story house,2 flrs and an attic, balloon framing, the dimensions are 32 x 33, there are two girders (8x8 beams with joists notched into it), one is 11' away from the gable end then another one 11' away from that one, then another 11' to the other gable end, ok in the attic there are no collar ties and on each of the girders there are two beams notched into the the girder at 1' from the outside wall, where they meet in the middle there is a threaded rod through the middle of these beams and cont through the girder, there are no supporting walls throughout the second floor, I want to build on the third flr (attic), I just want to put two bedrooms up there, if I support the middle of the girder(in line with the support on the first floor and basement) and add collar ties can I remove those beams, I figure that those beam are only there to hold the ceiling up from the attic so we didn't need walls to support it, also if I put two bedrooms up there will that be to much weight for the balloon framing?

Answer
Hi Dan,
I'm not entirely sure I fully understand the frame you described. I do feel, given this much information, and that you sound pretty savvy about building, that supporting under the attic in line with support walls from cellar up, that you'll be in pretty good shape. Also, I don't know what the other framing is other than the girders, so we can't say how much "bounce" there may be in your new rooms.

Good luck, and let me know if you need further help.
Dave