ᐅ Supporting a structural opening with a beam – where should it be positioned?

Hello dear forum, I need advice regarding a wall opening.

We want to enlarge the passage between the kitchen and living room by removing a wall. A company has already visited and provided an offer. The wall will be removed, and the ceiling will be supported with a beam (HEA 160, marked in red). This beam will rest on the interior wall. The width of the opening will then be approximately 2.90m (9.5 feet). So far, we have understood this.

Now my question: Where can the beam rest on the exterior side and why (location marked with a red arrow)?

The company proposed installing a second beam in front of the wall, which the “ceiling beam” would rest on. The reason given for this option was that it would avoid having to open the masonry and reduce the risk of damaging the insulation.

For aesthetic reasons, however, we would prefer the beam to rest directly on the masonry, so that no additional beam is visible in the room in front of the wall.

Is there any reason against the option we prefer? Should we rather look for another company that feels confident executing our preferred solution without causing any damage?

Thank you for your input.

I would generally always get comparison quotes, that way you can also see what other companies say about the feasibility of your request. Without knowing the exact conditions, anyone would just be guessing here. Structural engineering is the key term. Happy New Year!

ZweiSiebzig schrieb:

The company offered to install a second beam in front of the wall to support the "ceiling beam." The argument for this option was that it would avoid opening the masonry and eliminate the risk of damaging the insulation.

For aesthetic reasons, however, we would prefer the beam to rest directly on the masonry, so that there is no additional beam standing in front of the wall within the room.

Is there any reason against the option we prefer?

An additional vertical beam always increases load-bearing capacity, so it is structurally sound. For appearance, it can be covered with drywall to blend in.
Whether it can be done without depends on the structural engineer you or the company hires.

Allthewayup schrieb:

I would generally recommend getting multiple quotes for comparison; that way, you’ll also see what different companies say about the feasibility of your request.
Without knowing the exact conditions, anyone here would just be guessing. Structural engineering is the key factor.
Happy New Year!

CC35BS38 schrieb:

An additional vertical support beam always increases load-bearing capacity, so it’s structurally beneficial. For aesthetics, you can cover it with drywall to help it blend in.
Whether it’s possible without that beam can be confirmed by the structural engineer you or the company hire.

Thank you for your feedback. Yes, the final decision will be made by the structural engineer we hire. My question was more about whether there are general reasons (beyond structural concerns) not to rest the beam directly on the masonry but instead on an extra vertical support. I want to be better prepared for the discussion with the next contractor regarding the pros and cons of each option.

A drywall covering would already be included in the version with the vertical support beam.

Well, the thickness of the exterior wall probably plays a major role, as well as what exactly is inside it. In your case, the transition to the bay window is also happening right there, which could be a crucial factor.

For a serious assessment, more information would be needed than just the floor plan (and even then, only the one of the directly affected floor). Nevertheless, I will speculate that the beam penetrates into the roller shutter box and the ring beam.

ZweiSiebzig schrieb:

The argument for this option was that it would avoid having to open the masonry and reduce the risk of damaging the insulation.

What insulation? – I rather suspect this is a brick veneer; in the sloped-wall buildings of the 1980s, external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) were not yet used.

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