I've got a 20' x 20' cinderblock outbuilding that I want to convert into a shop. It's got a hip roof with about a 6" overhang. The interior is bisected by a light cinder block wall (half thickness) that's not tied into the exterior walls. The rafters rest atop this wall, though they are not mechanically fastened to it.

My question is this. I want to remove the wall. What do I need to put in its place to sustain a continuous span of twenty feet?

So far I'm thinking that a 2 or 3 x 2x12x20 laminated beam resting at either end on 6x6x8 posts (fastened to the exterior wall) should work. Is this feasible. Is this wall load bearing at all? Am I missing something dangerously obvious, and, if so, how do I make this work?

Many thanks in advance.

 

Hello & welcome aboard! Sounds like a real good solution to me, I would provide some temporary support on either side of it while the wall is removed and the beam put into place. I'm gonna move this up to the Architecture & Codes forum and see what the engineer types think of your plan. Happy New Year! :glocke:

 

Thanks for the lightning response. I believe that I can get the beam and posts fastened in place before I remove the interior wall, which sits on a poured concrete floor and is mated to the exterior walls only with mortar.

I will appreciate hearing what the engineer types think. SHould I have posted this there; I understand the no dual-posting policy and many of the threads here seem related to my problems.

Best of the holidays to you, too!

Chandos

 

Chandos,

Don't know where you live so here is a generic answer.

What you are proposing is feasible - but I would suggest at least 3 - 1 3/4" x 14" LVL's. Better option would be a 1 - 5 x 14 GluLam. Bolt and nail them together. If you have the ability to install this on the posts, which I would hope be resting on the post footing or the block footing, then this would work.

Good Luck!

 

I live in the Tidewater of Virginia, in Gloucester County, near the Hampton Roads area. If I understand you correctly, then you're suggesting either a built-up beam of LVL or a single 5 x 14 Glu lam.

At risk of sounding utterly clueless, where does one generally find such things? Who are the ordinary distributors?

I appreciate the help; this site is a terrific resource for DIY.

Cheers!

Chandos

 

Chandos,

These are available through any major lumber yard. Big box stores may have to order them if that is easier for you.

Good Luck!

By the way, thanks for the compliments about our Forum

 

That's all I need to know. Much obliged.

Chandos

 

Chandos,

You're welcome!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!