Help! Structural poles need removing in rumpus room!

13 years ago

We are considering buying this house and these poles downstairs are so off putting but there must be a way to get rid of them. Does anyone know what to do?

Featured Answer

S. Thomas Kutch

13 years ago

I suspect they can be removed........the big question is how much are you willing to pay to achieve this and are you willing to live with a beam bump out in your ceiling? These column s undoubtedly are mid span support of a concealed beam now. By removing the mid-span supports the bean will now have to be sized to carry the full length load. I would suspect that this will require a full replacement. At the least, 2 very substantial steel C-Channels sandwiching the original beam and thru bolted. these would make some pretty long channels to work in from the exterior wall ends...........The next question will be is this one continuous beam or is it 3 beams and the beam ends are over plates on the columns?.........The only way to answer these questions are for a Structural Engineer to do some destructive demolition work opening up some inspection holes in your ceiling.....

This most definitely isn't a DYI project. You need professional help to get the answers, the design if possible and for the installation. Just how bad to you dislike these columns?

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Comments (18)

stzan
13 years ago
We did this too. We used a structural engineer who measured and gave us the dimensions for the support beam needed to be put in the ceiling. It worked great and the room was opened!
PRO
User
13 years ago
If they are structural poles than no way to remove them this - is the bad part! The good part is you can cover them with Corinthian columns and you will get a very nice room! With a talented designer and painter you can get a fabulous room. Good luck!
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katealt
Original Author
13 years ago
Stzan, so the poles were removed And a celing beam was put up? That is exactly what I was hoping! Do you have any photos? Do you remember the cost?
rouxb
13 years ago
You might want to get the dimensions of stzan's room as well. Your room looks pretty big to span cheaply.
Nancy McFalls
13 years ago
I've seen this on hgtv and DIY network... They beef up a support beam along the ceiling. As the other poster mentions, this can only span so far... But even reducing to 1 pole would be an improvement, especially if it wasn't in such an awkward place. You'd have to determine if the cost was justifiable.
Ralph Eronemo
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
If you remove the poles and beef up the beam, you run the risk of creating really creaky floors above. We once removed a lower-level wall to create a large L-shaped family room. The family room was terrific, but after a few years the floors in the bedrooms above creaked so badly it was almost unbearable. Certainly it's not a guarantee that will happen, but you need to consider it when talking to a professional about a new ceiling beam.
PRO
Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC
13 years ago
They can definitely be removed. Get a Structural Engineer and a contractor who also builds houses and knows what he is doing.
stzan
13 years ago
Katealt... We have since moved and do not have any pictures. I believe they supported the beam with something called fletch plates (3/8 in steel) . Once again, nothing we tackled alone. A structural engineer was consulted. Good luck am
Nd enjoy the open floor plan!
stzan
13 years ago
Someone asked for the dimensions of the room where I removed the column. The dimensions of my family room - 16x26. Hope this helps
PRO
Veleta Witcraft, Architect
11 years ago
You do need a Structural Engineer to size the beam. Since the existing structure is above the ceiling a "flitch beam" is a strong possibility. This is a beam that sandwiches steel plates between wood members making it very strong and usually not too tall. The structural engineer will want to know if there is an upper floor in addition to the spans. Either he or your contractor or a designer will need to make an assessment of current conditions. In Seattle, since the beam is longer than 14 feet, you would need a full Construction Permit and this will include a simple drawing and Structural Engineer's calculation.
Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
old post, poster moved away.
Michael Rucker
4 years ago
I have an pole I need removed but it looks like it is supporting a beam. Can the pole be taken out without replacing another pole or can the pole be move over a bit
Michael Rucker
4 years ago
Here is the pole supported by a beam overhead
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
It may be possible to eliminate the post, but it will probably not be cost effective.
Michael Rucker
4 years ago
What do mean it may not be cost effective
Michael Rucker
4 years ago
I have three poles supporting the beam one at 9 feet apart from the middle pole. The middle pole is 10 feet 5 inches away from the pole I want to move. I want to move the end pole about 9 feet over out of my way to open up my floor. My question is will my above floor be okay if I move the beam over. The beam seems to be supporting my hallway upstairs leading to my bedrooms. Will my structure upstairs be okay.
Michael Rucker
4 years ago
I want to move the pole over by the brick wall