Types of Beams and Why They Matter

When you’re contemplating a home renovation or new construction, you may spend days or even weeks picking out tile, paint, and fixtures — but you should also take time to consider what type of materials are holding up all those beautiful treatments. At McCoy’s, we supply lumber for projects big and small, and some of what we’re most proud of are the types of construction beams we can offer. Yes, that’s right: beams. What do you know about the beams in your project? Here are the basics:

Knowing a good beam from a bad idea is huge when you’re planning to knock out walls or raise previously dropped ceilings. Beams are structures that go back to basic principles of physics to strengthen structures by bearing weight horizontally, typically as they bridge an area. But you won’t just find beams above your head — they can be found in walls, floors, decks, and even garages. A big home remodel should also include consulting a structural engineer to ensure your project will stand up (literally) by using the right materials and beams where necessary.

Beams are often found in load-bearing walls and are installed during the framing stage as studs (vertical boards) are added. If you’re unsure what types of beams should be used for your project, read on to explore the different types of beams available.

We don’t want you to fret over construction, let the beams handle that stress for you! Beams distribute heavy weights and keep walls, ceilings, and even floors steady. A building’s rising floors are supported, in part, by beams which help to spread out that weight to the vertical supports. The more the weight needed to distribute, often the larger (and heavier) beams needed.

One tip to understanding beams is to contemplate the difference between “live loads” vs. “dead loads” in your construction. A “dead load” is the weight of the structure itself, made up of items that never change, like the weight of the roof, floors, and drywall. A “live load” is the weight of things that change during the “life” of the construction, sometimes moment to moment. These might include people walking, furniture that comes and goes, or other temporary weights like full and empty bathtubs. (Live loads don’t include environmental weights, like snow or even harsh winds).

When you consider the full needs of your construction project, your design should include factors of dead and live loads that the structure will need to withstand. A small storage shed, for example, has much different load needs than a multistory dance hall. To make these calculations, structural engineers will often consult “span tables” which help to calculate the dead and live loads and the size and span of beams necessary to ensure safe and sturdy construction.

It can help to familiarize yourself with these types of beams and their materials before your next project:

Know your beam and structural design vocabulary:

• Joist: When a beam is supporting a floor or roof, it is referred to as a “floor joist” or “roof joist”. They run parallel to support horizontal structures and you might see them in action in deck construction. Joists are generally engineered wood or sometimes steel.
• Beams: Beams can be made of wood, steel (or other metals), plastic, reinforced concrete, or even brickwork (with added steel rods for support). They are often horizontal and span an opening or carry a load, such as the lintel above a door or a floor or roof.

• Rim boards: Rim boards are structural elements used around the perimeter of floor framing. They close the ends of joists and transfer the vertical and horizontal loads to structural wall components. They can be made from engineered products like OSB, plywood, or structural composite lumber.
• Tie beam: A tie beam runs horizontal in a structure and prevents two other structural components from separating. You commonly see them between two rafters in a roof or roof truss. Tie beams can be wood or reinforced steel.
• King post: king post is the vertical post in the center of a roof truss. You may see one or several in large, exposed ceilings creating a kind of tree or triangle shape among the beams. Can be wood or metal.
• Struts: In timber framing, a strut is a common term for a support or brace. They’re frequently found in roof framing from either a tie beam or a king post to a principal rafter. They can be straight or curved in shape.
• BCI joists: Typically, these flooring beams are put in first in a construction project, and are engineered with OSB in the middle. They can be opened or closed to add in wiring.
• LVL: Laminated veneer lumber (or LVL) is structured like plywood and fights against warping and shrinking for added stability. It comes with options including LSL (laminated strand lumber) and PSL (parallel strand lumber).
• I-beams:  I-beams get their name from their shape, like a flattened capital I. These strong powerhouses are frequently seen in large commercial buildings but also may be supporting your house with placements in foundations or garages. I-beams can be wood or steel.
• Flange: The flange on an I-beam is the horizontal portion, or the top and bottom of the “I”. The flanges keep the beam from bending.
• Web: The “web” on an I-beam is the vertical portion that connects the two flanges. It takes the majority of the force put on the beam.
• Glulams: Glued Laminated Timber, or Glulams for short, are manufactured boards like 2x4s where layers of wood are glued together to create strong elements like curved beams. These are typically used in vaulted ceilings and are often a design element. Fun fact: they can be steamed to add color.
• Headers: To prevent sagging over a door and garage door, or other opening such as a window, construction plans call for “header beams” or “headers” to be placed to the outside of the space. They keep the space from sagging or cracking and shifting and are typically made up of LVLs in modern home projects.

No matter the beams you need, come talk to our friendly staff at McCoy’s to help steer you in the right direction at our full-service lumberyard. We can help you pick out the best beam for your project and teach you the right way to talk about even the most complex renovation plan with your construction team. Stop by today!