Replacing load bearing beam.

[TRITC]

I am gutting our basement in a 15 year old two story home. The main load bearing beam spans about 20 feet but is about 18" tall and comes down too far. I want to look into some different options to replace the beam with something a little more space saving if possible. Do you guys have any recommendations on who I should contact in the Forest Lake area to come up with a solution to this situation?

Thanks,

TRITC

[polarsusd81]

You will want to have a structural engineer look at it. It seems like 18" is a big beam. That thing is most likely supporting a lot of weight. When was the house built? Size? What is sitting on top of the beam? There are a lot of factors that come into play, so it would be best off if you have a structural engineer look at it. Homeowners insurance wont pay if your house falls down because you put a beam in that is too small. That is a mess you don't want to deal with there.

[sparcebag]

Try your local Building Inspector.He may suggest but wont design.

[Flinny]

It sounds like a 18 inch micolam is installed now, if you want to add head room you will have to switch to a steel beam. You will want to get specs on the beam to verify the thickness needed to support the joist.

[sparcebag]

18 inch is probably a gluelam micro may replace it but I'd get engineer,He'll most likly say for head room steel