Hi - I am looking for information on the best way to 'box' in a steel I-beam so that drywall can be attached. The I-beam is in my garage which is attached to the house (2 car under). The garage requires 5/8" firecode drywall.

The I-beam is 16 inch tall and 7 in wide and has a wood 'sill' on top where the floor joists for the floor above it rests. What I have done so far is to put 2x6 lumber in a 'U' shape around the I beam with anywhere from 28 - 33 inches on center. I have piping and some wiring (not electrical but cable, phone, etc) running in the I-beam so my spacing became somewhat erratic (I could not frame over the pipes). The framing I've done so far can accomodate a couple of 12 foot long piece of drywall catching a stud on each end.

My question is; Since I only have a series of 'U' framing mounted on the I-beam, do I need to provide framing for the bottom and top edges of the I-beam box, between the 'U' sections, or is what I have good enough to hang the drywall from?

Thanks in advance

 

Ideally you want to have framed it on 24" centers at most. Since we're just talking about what 16" rips on the 2 sides of the beam and like a 8" rip on the under side, I'd say you'll be ok with what you've got there provided it's solidly framed. Use a pencil to mark your nailers on the ceiling so there easy to locate once you get your rip into place. Have fun

 

If you stick with your "U" construction you will have to tape on the corner bead. It will crack out if you nail it that far apart.

 

Got a point there coops, so used to beadex corners, I don't think about corners like that cracking.

 

Drill holes in your beams and drill your
rock to fit.???